Facebook introduces gender identity option changes
Facebook has introduce a range of new gender options, giving users the chance to identify themselves from around 50 different terms instead of simply male or female.
Changes: Facebook is widening gender identity options
The social network provider has also introduced three preferred pronoun choices: him, her or them.
The changes took effect in from Thursday and mark moves to widen the ways in which users can identify themselves. Options such as androgynous, bi-gender, intersex, gender fluid and transsexual are now available.
A statement from Facebook said: “When you come to Facebook to connect with the people, causes, and organizations you care about, we want you to feel comfortable being your true, authentic self. An important part of this is the expression of gender, especially when it extends beyond the definitions of just ‘male’ or ‘female’. So today, we’re proud to offer a new custom gender option to help you better express your own identity on Facebook.”
Facebook software engineer Brielle Harrison, who is undergoing a gender transformation, said the move would “mean nothing” for many users but “for the few it does impact, it means the world”.
The changes are available to everyone who uses Facebook in US English.