Facebook Diversity has a big announcement today for folks who identify off the gender binary, introducing a new option for neutral gender selections under the “Basic Information” section of Facebook Timelines.
Earlier today, Facebook Diversity introduced a custom gender selection, allowing users to select a neutral gender pronoun along with the new option to bypass a strict “male” or “female” designation.
Facebook Diversity explains how the new custom gender option is more inclusive for users who do not identify with a previous gender binary option — mandatory, in the past, to use the service:
“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.”
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Facebook says the social network collaborated with several LGBT groups to work out how to enable custom gender options, adding that there are now many selections for non-binary users.
In addition, Facebook has taken pains not to out users who select a custom gender option, explaining:
“We also have added the ability for people to control the audience with whom they want to share their custom gender. We recognize that some people face challenges sharing their true gender identity with others, and this setting gives people the ability to express themselves in an authentic way.”
In order to change to Facebook’s custom gender option, edit your Basic Info on Timeline. Facebook says:
Go to your Timeline (which we sometimes refer to as your profile)
Click Update Info at the bottom of your cover photo
Click Edit in the top right of the section you’d like to change
Enter your new info and click Save
It should look like this:
As of right now, Facebook custom gender options are available only to US English users.
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