Instagram has taken a significant step toward inclusivity by introducing more gender identity options, just in time for Pride Month. Previously, users were limited to selecting “male,” “female,” or “not specified.” This left non-binary individuals with no accurate representation, as they could only choose “not specified,” a designation that often feels dismissive.
Now, users can select from “male,” “female,” and a custom option where they can write in their preferred identity. This update aims to make Instagram a more inclusive space that better reflects the diverse ways people identify today.
This change comes after other platforms have already embraced inclusivity. Facebook, Instagram’s parent company, implemented inclusive gender options back in 2014. Tinder followed suit in 2016, offering 37 different identities, and also expanded its sexual orientation categories to include terms like asexual and demisexual. Lyft has recently introduced gender-neutral pronouns for its riders, ensuring that drivers can use the correct pronouns when picking up passengers.
Many users had been vocal about their desire for more gender options on Instagram. One individual expressed on Twitter, “When will you add more gender options? Or do you only want cis people on your platform?”
In addition to the expanded gender categories, Instagram has launched vibrant rainbow hashtags for trending Pride-related topics such as #lgbt and #transequalitynow. Users incorporating LGBTQ+ hashtags in their Instagram Stories will also see a rainbow-colored “story ring,” adding a festive touch to their posts.
Instagram is not alone in supporting Pride Month this year. Retail giant Target has released a line of rainbow-themed merchandise and pledged $100,000 to GLSEN, an organization advocating for safe and inclusive school environments. Disney has also joined the celebration, offering charming rainbow merchandise and donating proceeds to GLSEN.
It’s essential for brands and corporations to not only showcase colorful products but also to make meaningful changes that celebrate and support LGBTQ+ communities, such as the addition of inclusive gender options. While we’re pleased that Instagram has finally made these updates, it’s also crucial to remember, as Target’s recent press release noted, that “pride doesn’t just start and end in June; it is a year-round commitment.”
For more insights into inclusivity and gender identity, feel free to explore our other posts, including this one that discusses various aspects of home insemination. If you’re looking for authoritative resources about this topic, check out Cryobaby’s home insemination syringe kit and Women’s Health’s page on infertility.
In summary, Instagram’s recent enhancements in gender identification options are a welcome move towards greater inclusivity, aligning with broader trends in social media and corporate responsibility during Pride Month.