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IRISH FACEBOOK USERS who don’t identify as either male or female can now choose from about 70 gender definitions on their profiles, including options like hermaphrodite, gender fluid and androgynous.
People can also choose who they share their different gender definitions with in recognition of the fact that some users faced hurdles in sharing their “true gender identity with others”, according to the social network.
In addition, users can select their preferred pronoun – that is, whether they are referred to using the male “he/his”, female “she/her” or non-specific “they/their”.
There is also the option to choose a custom gender for those who don’t like any of the predefined options.
The move, which comes ahead of the pending same-sex marriage referendum, follows the company introducing the different gender options in other territories like the US and the UK, where the shift has been welcomed by LGBT groups.
In a post last year explaining the changes to US Facebook users, the company’s diversity team 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’.”
Facebook updated those selections in February this year when it opened up the categories to include user-specified options:
Now, if you do not identify with the pre-populated list of gender identities, you are able to add your own. As before, you can add up to ten gender terms and also have the ability to control the audience with whom you would like to share your custom gender.”
First published 10.37am
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“I sexually Identify as an Attack Helicopter. Ever since I was a boy I dreamed of soaring over the oilfields dropping hot sticky loads on disgusting foreigners. People say to me that a person being a helicopter is Impossible and I’m dumb, but I don’t care, I’m beautiful. I’m having a plastic surgeon install rotary blades, 30 mm cannons and AMG-114 Hellfire missiles on my body. From now on I want you guys to call me “Apache” and respect my right to kill from above and kill needlessly. If you can’t accept me you’re a heliphobe and need to check your vehicle privilege. Thank you for being so understanding.”
It will take some years before your gender status is recognised, but I’m sure once enough people identifying themselves as attack helicopters come out the movement will start. This group will face into much prejudice, with people making comments like “if attack helicopters are recognised as a gender then I want to be identified as a can of Spaghetti Hoops”. You will see this for what it is, a lack of empathy for your gender alignment, woefully ignorant with a complete lack of understanding. You will retreat a little further back, because even though you thought society was accepting you there are still people that lack a shred of compassion. The person commenting about Spaghetti Hoops will feel gleefully smug, “oh what a clever comment I did gone and made bout them trannies”, but will never really understand the damage they cause.
#pastaLivesMatter
I note from your gender assertions that you have identified with the use of the word Apache , this word could be associated with the American apache attack helicopter , I therefore conclude that you are an American imperialist attack helicopter and possibly racist because you haven’t identified as a version of Russian or European attack helicopters, shame on you.
Russian Helicopters
http://www.russianhelicopters.aero
Russian Helicopters showcase commercial helicopters at Mexico aerospace … Russia flies first Mil Mi-171A2 prototype.
Helicopters – About Russian Helicopters – Contacts – Account
Here is a link to Russian helicopters , I have provided this in case you may wish to re identify when you are bored with your new American imperialist identity .
I’d say Scarr your sexual orientation is the misuse of proper nouns. You like capitals it seems.
It’s copy pasta lad.
You should try formulating your own sentences.
I don’t like the sound of gender fluid.
(Does it) come in a bottle?
Comes in a condom, I guess
This is so dumb. Why are they capitulating to dumb people? It’s just another example of morons wishing to demonstrate how ‘enlightened’ they are.
You are either a man or a woman. It’s not even a trans thing. If you were a man but now you’re a woman; fine. More power to you, but you’re either a man or a woman. Androgynous? You still have a penis or vagina don’t you?
I can see the profits on greeting card companies going through the roof!
Some people are born without either male or female parts, and some people are born with both male and female parts. What are they?
More importantly, does it affect you? If it has no impact on your life, and makes someone else feel a bit better, leave them to it. Facebook’s a massive bleeding corporation out to make as much cash as possible, and obviously your outlook won’t get them as much money as this will.
Re: born without m/f parts, thats true but they’re still either male or female. I was going to mention haemaphrodites (sp?) but my fingers got tired.
Does it affect me directly? Not really, but i think it gives in / creedence to a trope of people who, for whatever reason wish to see themselves as something they arent and will fiercely attack those that disagree with them.
Its not a big deal overall, but i think its idiotic of fb to feed their neurosis.
There’s a difference between sex and gender though, and it’s mostly agreed upon these days that gender is how you identify and present yourself.
@Scarr
You may want to read the article in the link, that I’ve posted below, it may give you something to think about, as you seem to be confusing gender with sex.
“Me Scarr. Me like big boom guns and man stuffs. Me think me join army. Me not understands sex. Me like gender flavered ise creams”
Joanna / larissa – i’ll take a look at the article tonight. Im on the mobile so its a tad difficult right now. Yes i equate gender with sex, maybe thats incorrect so ill read up on it and form a better informed opinion.
Dog – ? I guess you’re trying to insinuate im some sort of sterotypical, neanderthal? Do you find that tactic usually works? Im not sure what it adds tbh. At least my apache copy pasta was entertaining and (justifiably) mock the sjw-types normally alligned to this sort of thing. But you just keep on doing whatever it is you think your doing there.
Basically Scarr, I’m calling you out. Sorry that wasn’t clear. I’m not trying to insinuate, I am insinuating. You post like a stereotypical neanderthal, with little thought for what your words do to people. I know your not sure what it adds, that would require a higher level of thinking.
” Yes i equate gender with sex, maybe thats incorrect so ill read up on it and form a better informed opinion”
You should do that before posting opinions, then you won’t be seen as having archaic views.
Calling him out? Sounds so WWE/UFC.
Have you figured out which you are yet?
Renton: In a thousand years, there will be no men and women, just w**kers, and that’s fine by me.
“Gender fluid”? Giggidy Giggidy Goo!
I don’t care what people call themselves as long as they are held accountable in the same way as men & women, regardless of their chosen gender.
Twitter has been using the gender neutral egg since its inception. I had to add the moustache myself.
Sorry if I offend anyone but what a load of sh*te!
Actually I’m not sorry!
Trickle down stupidity at its finest , from tomorrow I will be self identifying as a street light and the following having become enlightened I will be a porpoise .
Following week
You’ve the brain process of a porpoise already.
Hugely intelligent mammal what’s not to like , i see you identify as a dog a rather fat one at that , stop begging at the table.
Gender fluid? I’ll use man juice like I always have.
proove scientifically that gender is malleable and you can choose it and it truely changes.
Why?
Because what Facebook is facilitating is not possible.
So that David Nolan can sleep at night, because otherwise he’ll worry himself to death over issues that don’t have any impact on him or his life
I worry about the world around me and what people do in the world around me.
But it doesn’t affect you at all so…
@Paul and David
What impact will these options that Facebook offers its users have on your personal lifes?
By the way, you may want to read this, David, if you are genuinely interested (which I doubt)
https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/sex-gender-and-sexuality-its-complicated/
Larry stop .
Yes it does.
Larissa,
What impact will these options that Facebook offers its users have on your personal lifes?
Professionally, designing social media websites that link to FaceBook that are complicated by this move.
You cannot get away from your sex. At least we still have that. For now anyway.
At the time it was thought that the sheer number of options was a dig at the SJW’s campaigning for this.
I’m a tri-gender fire fox…
Me 100% hetero (beats chest), but all other orientations are welcome.
I’m male but I’ve felt maybe 15% female because since I was 13 (now 35) I’ve had very big breasts. They just grew there and even when I’m thin I have them. Also I talk like a woman. So this is interesting.
God says No.
Mark Zuckerberg says… Whatevs.
Whatevs gives me moolah he says.
Might be easier if Facebook stops asking for your gender. Doesn’t ask for your race or ethnicity. Much better just to use yhe neutral their for everyone. No differentiation and re enforces that one’s gender should not be an issue
You have to remember that the only reason facebook wants to know your gender is so they can bombard you with ads and pages you might like. To misquote bob Marley, your gender should be as relevant as the colour of your eyes.
You can be either male and female. Feel sorry for people who have to call themselves something wacky for attention.
Talk about defining yourself for data mining and advertising proposes, or even possible future discrimination (who knows?). Tell um nothing!
Fair play to Facebook for doing this, well done!
Why would any eejit want to do this, is there I am a little teapot section or even stoner, alcoholic, sheep sh…ger… When will it end…
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