Another email from Merriam-Webster!

We must continue to keep an eye on the dictionary. I received another response from Merriam-Webster after I requested they keep me informed about when they add asexual as an orientation, aromantic, and agender to the dictionary so I can keep you all informed as to the progress of adding these words. Unfortunately they said they can not inform me directly when the words will be added. The email conversation, is as follows: ============ Could it be possible for me to be informed when asexual the orientation, aromantic, and agender are added to the dictionary so I may inform petition signers of progress? As of now the petition is up to 4374 and continues to gain new signatures daily. That's over 4300 people who these words either apply to or who are allies of those who the words apply to. Thank you for your prompt response on this matter. I had begun to lose hope that anyone was listening given the silence on Twitter from Merriam-Webster regarding this matter. It seemed as though asexuals, aromantics, and agender people were being ignored. -Sarah "Neila" Elkins ============ Dear Sarah:   Thanks for your response. Unfortunately, it's impossible for us to let people know when words they are interested in are updated simply because of the volume of words we're dealing with, as well as the volume of correspondents we have. That said, I think that we are starting to add dates to entries to mark when they were last revised, so that will help orient you as we keep churning out updates.                 We take the input of all our correspondents seriously, even when we can't respond right away.   Thanks again, Lee Goodrich, Editorial Department Merriam-Webster, Inc. ============ Then I will continue to manually search to keep an eye on these three words so that I may keep the 4300+ people who've signed the petition updated as to the progress. I sincerely hope you add asexual as an orientation, aromantic, and agender to the dictionary because people continue to use the absence of these words against people from these three groups as a means to deny these people's identities. When these words are added will they be included in the next publicly released list of updated words in the spring? I say 'when' because my hope is you will be adding them rather than string people along on the hope that you will. Thank you for updating your sexuality and gender terms. I look forward to seeing these three words added soon. -Sarah "Neila" Elkins ============ I've also included screen cap of the email from. I was going to include a photo of all three emails but I see Change.org crops the image off so I have included the bodies of each email in this amended post. I will continue to check the Merriam-Webster dictionary online for any changes. Please continue to share the petition and also keep an eye on the dictionary. I am hopeful they will make these changes and add these words soon! Thank you for your support! We can do this! -Sarah "Neila" Elkins