facebook-gender

For as long as the site has existed, users have only had two options when describing their gender on Facebook. Now, the site has added additional options for those who do not identify as male of female. 

From CNN:

In a nod to the “it’s complicated” sexual identities of many of its users, the social network on Thursday added a third “custom” gender option for people’s profiles. In addition to Male or Female, Facebook now lets U.S. users choose among some 50 additional options such as “transgender,” “cisgender,” “gender fluid,” “intersex” and “neither.”

Users also now have the ability to choose the pronoun they’d like to be referred to publicly: he/his, she/her, or the gender-neutral they/their.

Read more at CNN

In a post on its Diversity page, 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.”

The site said it worked with a group of leading LGBT advocacy organizations to create the new gender categories.

Thoughts on the new gender options?

Should other social networking platforms follow suit?

Sound off below!