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A transgender colleague requires being referred to as "they" and not "he /she" In what number do I use verbs with this pronoun when it refers to a single person: they is/ are(?) a transgender ?

Anther example: When a person is elected the chair of the committee, they give(s?) an inaugural speech. I know I could say "he or she" gives, but this sounds to me too formal or too long. With a transgender, this option does not work; So, back to the transgender example: Do(es ?) they require being referred to as "they" ?

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    By the way, don't use "a transgender" (a noun). Use it as an adjective: "a transgender person".
    – Laurel ♦
    Jun 2 at 20:58
  • This question is NOT duplicate: The other question referred to as"duplicate" is about REASONS for the usage, and the answers review the history of the matter; But from those answers I could not infer. WHAT the correct usage is. This question is purely practical, not about reasons or history: HOW do I use it not to offend those gender-* persons. I ask because a colleague of mine has had a real legal problem with that transgender person . So I want to be very politically correct with them. Please help us/them! Especially as the LGBT+ agenda is so actively promoted here ( Recall Monica ).
    – Alexander Gelbukh
    Jun 2 at 21:02
  • @Laurel: That strikes me as unnecessarily prescriptive, if not downright school-marmish, if you don't mind my saying so.
    – Robusto
    Jun 2 at 21:13
  • @AlexanderGelbukh Take a look at the other questions I added which give a simpler description.
    – Laurel ♦
    Jun 3 at 3:14
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    @Robusto Not really, at least not when the question is asking how to not be offensive and that's what I'm saying. Times are a-shiftin', I suppose.
    – Laurel ♦
    Jun 3 at 3:36

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