Google+ introduces ‘infinite’ custom gender options

Google’s social networking site has changed the options for users to define their gender, allowing “infinite” options.

The option makesill make Facebook more accessible for non-binary trans people and for intersex people, who were previously forced to either pick a gender, or to not list a gender at all.

The changes brought in this week on Google+ mean users can describe their own gender using whichever term they identify with.

This replaces binary options such as “male”, “female”, and “other”.

While those options will still be available, “custom” will allow users to enter freeform text, as well as entering an option for custom pronouns.

Facebook earlier this year introduced custom gender options, instead of forcing people to choose between ‘male’ and ‘female’.

The Facebook system, although carrying an extensive range of options, did not introduce user-assigned options, in order to prevent abuse.

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• May 11

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