NEWSFLASH: Facebook Offers New Gender Options

Facebook released 50 new gender choices for users last week. Users can now express their gender from male or female to pan-sexual, androgynous, trans*, gender-fluid, etc.

On Facebook’s Diversity page, the social network posted that it had worked with leading LGBT advocacy organizations to accurately depict multiple gender options:

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’ and ‘female.’

The social media giant also added the option for gender-neutral pronouns. A user can now choose to be referred to as they/their, rather than simply he/his or she/her.

Considering gender-neutrality may not be a widely accepted concept within our society, Facebook is also offering privacy settings for those not ready to announce their gender to the entire Facebook community.

Facebook has not released this change outside of the U.S. Learn how to change your gender settings on Facebook here. And tell us what you think of Facebook’s new policy!


Read More:

About

Lindsey O'Brien is currently studying journalism at Ohio University and interning at Ms. Follow her on Twitter.