Expanded Gender Options in Book Of Faces

[Emerson40]

The expanded gender options - just under 60 available - have been in the Book of Faces for about a year now, and they are now making another available: Fill In The Blank

Expect a bunch of Male Lesbians showing up among the college crowd...


But seriously, have any of you used this, or know of anyone who has? I am curious as to how this is being used to target ads, your News Feed, and Friend Suggestions, etc.

I see where this is ideal for folks who have a supportive network of friends, or belong to a community where gender identity is accepted readily, say a gay, lesbian, or transgendered person in larger cities where there is likely plenty of others who identify themselves in the same way, but how does it help the person in small-town America, who would be bullied or worse, if they were to reveal that despite being born a man or woman, they gender identify as a woman or man?

Would you think differently of someone, a FB Friend or friend of a friend, if they changed their gender identity? Would you change how you interact with them - block them or modify your settings? Would you think twice about what you are going to post knowing that person may read what you are about to write or share?

Something like this was just unimaginable not so many years ago, you would have been called crazy or ill, or been ostracized for not fitting Tab A or Slot B. Is society ready for this? And not just small-town society, but those who still walk among us and can't get their heads around sexual identity and orientation issues in today's diverse world.


*** NOT ACTUAL FACEBOOK DROPDOWN MENU ***

http://41.media.tumblr.com/95bcd76e7f03144da50a0d26a4795198/tumblr_mjha0d8alP1qbypelo1_500.png

 

[CandiCame]

Lots of transgendered and genderfluid people, me included, protested this. The point of being transgendered is to be accepted as your actual gender, not to point it out to everyone. This isn't the actual list, btw. It doesn't have the joking options like "man with moobs". But facebook made the option to hide your gender in response to the protests, so it's ok now, I guess.

There's no reason to ever announce your trans/cis status like that somewhere that employeers and whatnot can see. Your gender status is your own business. It shouldn't be required at all.

I'm not a fan.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Really Candi?

I thought that you would be an 'All of the Above' kinda gu..., er, uh..., "person."

 

[CandiCame]

Really Candi?

I thought that you would be an 'All of the Above' kinda gu..., er, uh..., "person."

I am. And it would cost me my job. This shit is a joke to cis people. To genderfluid and trans people it can affect your life. Most states do not have laws on the books that prevent employers for firing non-cis folk for being non-cis. By presenting the option, Facebook has put people in a predicament. If they have to select between "cis woman", "trans woman", or "woman", they can feel like a coward who lets down the trans community by selecting any option other than trans, but by announcing her trans status, she opens herself up to all kinds of problems. It's a choice that a person shouldn't be forced to make.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

I was just jerking your chain...



[It is still attached to your penis, right?]

 

[Emerson40]

Lots of transgendered and genderfluid people, me included, protested this. The point of being transgendered is to be accepted as your actual gender, not to point it out to everyone. This isn't the actual list, btw. It doesn't have the joking options like "man with moobs". But facebook made the option to hide your gender in response to the protests, so it's ok now, I guess.

There's no reason to ever announce your trans/cis status like that somewhere that employeers and whatnot can see. Your gender status is your own business. It shouldn't be required at all.

I'm not a fan.

No, that is not the actual list. I have edited the post to indicate this.

The point you bring up about employers is a good one, gender being one of the EEOC Protected Categories, and also not relevant to the skills or experience the applicant brings to the workplace.

What is interesting is, more and more, employers are including looking at the FB profiles of job candidates as part of the background check process. In some cases, such as government positions and police work, they also scour profiles of the applicant's friends.

 

[JohnnySavage]

When in doubt, check the chromosomes. They don't lie.

 

[CandiCame]

No, that is not the actual list. I have edited the post to indicate this.

The point you bring up about employers is a good one, gender being one of the EEOC Protected Categories, and also not relevant to the skills or experience the applicant brings to the workplace.

What is interesting is, more and more, employers are including looking at the FB profiles of job candidates as part of the background check process. In some cases, such as government positions and police work, they also scour profiles of the applicant's friends.

As far as I know, sex, not gender, is protected. I know for a fact that in Kentucky and 31 other states, you can be fired for being trans.