Facebook now allows users to select a "custom gender" for their profiles, meaning users who do not identify as male or female can select a neutral gender identity.
Until Thursday, users could only select their gender as female ("she" and "her"), or male ("he" and "his"). Now, users in the United States can choose gender neutral ("they" or "their").
"While to many this change may not mean much, for those it affects it means a great deal," a Facebook spokesperson wrote in an email. "We see this as one more way we can make Facebook a place where people can express their authentic identity."
When a male user celebrates a birthday, friends may be alerted with a message that reads, "Write on Matt’s wall for HIS birthday.” If a user elects to identify as gender neutral, the Facebook message would change to, “Write on Matt’s wall for THEIR birthday.”
Below is a screen shot of the new option.
Until Thursday, users could only select their gender as female ("she" and "her"), or male ("he" and "his"). Now, users in the United States can choose gender neutral ("they" or "their").
"While to many this change may not mean much, for those it affects it means a great deal," a Facebook spokesperson wrote in an email. "We see this as one more way we can make Facebook a place where people can express their authentic identity."
When a male user celebrates a birthday, friends may be alerted with a message that reads, "Write on Matt’s wall for HIS birthday.” If a user elects to identify as gender neutral, the Facebook message would change to, “Write on Matt’s wall for THEIR birthday.”
Below is a screen shot of the new option.
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