Facebook To Provide 56 New Gender Options

[Phelia]

Read the list here.

Now, I'm typically as liberal as it gets when it comes to social issues in general, and gender/sexual identity especially. I think that for the most part, people should be able to dress however they want, call themselves whatever they like, and fuck/marry whomever/whatever.

This I don't get. First, 56 just seems like way too many. Maybe this is my gender-normative privilege talking, but do we really need separate categories for "Trans Female," "Trans Woman," "Trans* Female," and "Trans* Woman"? It's so confusing. And who picked these 56 categories, anyway? Facebook says they worked with LGBT groups and leaders, but if the whole point is that we're supposed to be able to define our own identities, why are we handing over the reigns again?

I also feel that by coming up with all these new categories for people who feel they "don't fit" in existing categories, they're validating the idea that those categories are restrictive, when they don't have to be.

I'd much rather they leave it a blank field where people can write in whatever they want. But, that probably wouldn't work as nicely for Facebook's data segmenting

So, what do you think? Am I being a JBJ?

 

[Sean]

Other.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Read the list here.

Now, I'm typically as liberal as it gets when it comes to social issues in general, and gender/sexual identity especially. I think that for the most part, people should be able to dress however they want, call themselves whatever they like, and fuck/marry whomever/whatever.

This I don't get. First, 56 just seems like way too many. Maybe this is my gender-normative privilege talking, but do we really need separate categories for "Trans Female," "Trans Woman," "Trans* Female," and "Trans* Woman"? It's so confusing. And who picked these 56 categories, anyway? Facebook says they worked with LGBT groups and leaders, but if the whole point is that we're supposed to be able to define our own identities, why are we handing over the reigns again?

I also feel that by coming up with all these new categories for people who feel they "don't fit" in existing categories, they're validating the idea that those categories are restrictive, when they don't have to be.

I'd much rather they leave it a blank field where people can write in whatever they want. But, that probably wouldn't work as nicely for Facebook's data segmenting

So, what do you think? Am I being a JBJ?

It trivializes you, dear. It makes you a Spotted Owl or one of those little fishes. Folks see that there are a dozen of your kind, and forget about you.

JBJ is like Atlas holding the world, you wouldn't like it.

 

[Phelia]

Other.

Other* or other^?

There are a few countries that allow people to select "other" for gov ID. I think that's a good thing. 56, though? 56???

 

[Wrong Element]

Meh, the GB pioneered multiple gender options for its users years ago.

 

[JohnnySavage]

Why don't they just let people type in what they want to be?

 

[JohnnySavage]

I'd ask myself but Zuck won't friend me. He's no Tom.

 

[lovetoread]

I'd ask myself but Zuck won't friend me. He's no Tom.

Tom was cool like that.

 

[Sean]

I'd ask myself but Zuck won't friend me. He's no Tom.

Tom was cool like that.

God, those "Tom is not my friend" T shirts seem like ancient history now.

 

[Phelia]

It trivializes you, dear. It makes you a Spotted Owl or one of those little fishes. Folks see that there are a dozen of your kind, and forget about you.

JBJ is like Atlas holding the world, you wouldn't like it.

Yeah, Facebook and advertisers don't care about niche markets. Great understanding of the topic at hand - thanks for your valuable contribution.

Meh, the GB pioneered multiple gender options for its users years ago.

Why don't they just let people type in what they want to be?

That's what I was asking, but it's probably all about the $$. Unrefined data like that would be less valuable to FB.

God, those "Tom is not my friend" T shirts seem like ancient history now.

The good old days! I miss Alta Vista and floppy discs

 

[islandman]

I just attempted to list myself as 'Transformer', but was denied.

FU, FB.

 

[IrezumiKiss]

I knew about this, but I didn't know the options were that many. I thought it was like, ten or fifteen or something.

Seems a tad excessive at first thought, but it doesn't really bother me. I don't even use Facebook, so...

Read the list here.

So, what do you think? Am I being a JBJ?

Nah.

Now, when you start making plants shrivel up and go dead when you walk past them because your body stank is so rank, then you should worry about being JBJ.

 

[yossi]

I remember when I was checking out one of those kink sites, that they had an excessive amount of gender options, but I don't think it numbered anywhere close to 56.

 

[ImSinister]

Gimmick by FB to try to get its hip image back as the younger folks have moved on.

 

[islandman]

Gimmick by FB to try to get its hip image back as the younger folks have moved on.

Where have they moved to?

 

[lovetoread]

Snapchat and kik

 

[Phelia]

I just attempted to list myself as 'Transformer', but was denied.

FU, FB.

That is because you are a Decepticon. Autobots are allowed.

I knew about this, but I didn't know the options were that many. I thought it was like, ten or fifteen or something.

Seems a tad excessive at first thought, but it doesn't really bother me. I don't even use Facebook, so...



Nah.

Now, when you start making plants shrivel up and go dead when you walk past them because your body stank is so rank, then you should worry about being JBJ.

If it had only been ten or fifteen, I don't know that it would have caught my attention. I probably would've just thought "good for FB" and moved past it. It's not that I'm bothered by the 56, really, but it does raise my hackles about WHY they're doing this, and I think it raises a valid question as to whether gender in society today can even exist as a multiple choice question. I'm starting to think that it can't.

And phew! I just took a shower, so hopefully I won't torture any topiary with my presence this evening

I remember when I was checking out one of those kink sites, that they had an excessive amount of gender options, but I don't think it numbered anywhere close to 56.

Mmm, kink sites

 

[islandman]

Snapchat and kik

Neither is public.

So, fuck that.

 

[ImSinister]

Where have they moved to?

How the hell should I know, I am not one of the younger folks

From what I hear and read; tumblr, whatsapp, snapchat, and a bunch others I have never heard of. Kids see that their parents are on Facebook and it loses a lot of appeal to teenagers. This is important in the long term. The younger kids in my family and of my friends rarely use Facebook. What kid wants to hang out in the same room as their mom or dad or uncle?

 

[lovetoread]

Tumblr is my addiction.

 

[Sean Renaud]

I am quite ashamed to admit that I don't even know what many of those things ARE. I need to get out more.

Maybe as Crazy Pony pointed out my Gender Identity Privilege is speaking but I only care about the sex you consider yourself for one reason. I need to know which pronouns you want me to apply. Post Op two spirit gender fluid asexuals are just fine as long as I know to tell my friend don't sit there because he's sitting there or she's sitting there. Otherwise half this stuff sounds like a list of who should hit on you or not hit on you.

 

[islandman]

How the hell should I know, I am not one of the younger folks

From what I hear and read; tumblr, whatsapp, snapchat, and a bunch others I have never heard of. Kids see that their parents are on Facebook and it loses a lot of appeal to teenagers. This is important in the long term. The younger kids in my family and of my friends rarely use Facebook. What kid wants to hang out in the same room as their mom or dad or uncle?

Is there something about FB that automatically adds parents to one's group of friends on FB?

 

[yossi]

Is there something about FB that automatically adds parents to one's group of friends on FB?

I think it's more of an anonymity thing. They can hide behind usernames like before facebook came around and demanded that you identify yourself. That was the biggest draw for me joining message boards when I first got online. I think they want a shield after having their privacy so exposed to everyone in their real lives.

 

[islandman]

I think it's more of an anonymity thing. They can hide behind usernames like before facebook came around and demanded that you identify yourself. That was the biggest draw for me joining message boards when I first got online. I think they want a shield after having their privacy so exposed to everyone in their real lives.

If privacy is the hook, I can see why snapchat is so popular.

I wouldn't want my dick pics floating out there for all eternity. Better they *poof* in 15 seconds.

 

[lovetoread]

If privacy is the hook, I can see why snapchat is so popular.

I wouldn't want my dick pics floating out there for all eternity. Better they *poof* in 15 seconds.

Screenshot is a thing with that app.