Topic: Gender Markers on Websites

[Dante]

• Tweet

Hey everyone, I just had a random thought. I was flipping through a profile for another website, just updating info, when I realized I never put in my gender. So I click on the drop-down, and I see there are three options:
Male
Female
Trans

I was kinda surprised, to say the least, and so I chose trans. It made me wonder about you guys. That's the only site I've ever seen where "trans" is an option for gender, but I've seen several that have "other" or something similar.

So here's the question: if you came across a website like this, where "trans" was a gender option, and assuming it was a safe environment, which option would you pick?

[Berserk]

It would depend on the website, but I think I would still choose male. I wouldn't mind being able to tick more than one option (trans and male), though, but again it would depend on the website.

I went to a medical clinic about a month or two ago and I was really surprised that they'd changed their forms to include male, female, transgender and other. So I checked male and transgender and was pretty pleased with the fact that I had that option.

[Floritine]

I would still pick female regardless as that's what I identify as and have since I can remember, and selecting another option would be a lie,
Maybe for other people the better option would "other" as a identity marker as it has more variables than selecting trans does and doesn't lock then into one particular group.

[Padma]

It does seem like a two-edged sword. On the one hand, it's good to see trans being visible - but on the other, it does kind of imply that you're either man/woman, or you're trans. A "fill it in yourself" option is ideal, I think.

It does depend on what the organisation is, and how they're going to use the info. In some cases, I'd put trans just to help them be aware of how many trans people they're catering for - this can be valuable for public services, sports centres, stuff like that, as it makes them pay more attention to the services they provide, and how sensitive they are to trans people's needs.

If it's something more personal, I'd have to choose on a site-by-site basis.

[Devlyn Marie]

I registered my new phone the other day, the choices were M, F, and Other. I chose other. Hugs, Devlyn

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

I always choose female.  After all I am a woman in the eyes of the state of Oregon and the Federal government.

[sneakersjay]

I would choose male.

My new doctor's intake form also had Male, Female, and Reassignment on it.  I put male. front desk doesn't need to know what's in my pants.

[peky]

I always been and will be to death nothing else but a female

[JasonRX]

In my opinion, trans isn't even an identity - especially a gender identity.
If anything, it's part of a necessary medical history.

I'm nothing less than male.

[BlueSloth]

Huh.  Weird.  If gender matters enough to ask about it, how is "trans" good enough as an answer?  It's so unspecific.

Looks like somebody might have had good intentions, but didn't think it through.

I'm going to go ahead and choose "I would choose my gender", even though that tends to cause difficulty in my case.  Usually the closest I can hope for is something like "genderqueer".

[Snowpaw]

I am female, even if the gubberment doesn't see that yet.

[wheat thins are delicious]

In my opinion, trans isn't even an identity - especially a gender identity.
If anything, it's part of a necessary medical history.

I'm nothing less than male.

That is my opinion on the matter too.

[Eleanor]

I would always pick female. That's what it says on my passport. If I'm going to let people to know about my gender history, then I prefer to just tell them individually as I feel ready.

[Raya]

It depends. Largely on the nature of the site in question, and whether "trans" is inclusive or exclusive of other identities. For instance:

I'm an "MtF" on Fetlife. I have no problem with that because: 1. It allows me to identify as trans and female; 2. I mostly use it to keep in touch with people I know in real life, where I'm open with most everyone.

I'm "Female" on OkCupid, because they give me no other choice, and what you pick drastically changes how you experience the site. I let my profile explain who I am.

I don't have a gender on Facebook, as the gender only affects the ads you get. And if you can't tell what my gender is by looking at my page, you need your eyes checked! Most sites where I can get away with it are like that.

For the rest, I pick a random gender.

If I came across a site where "trans" was used as some sort of third gender ghetto to herd the lot of us into, I'd probably stay away.

[Jillieann Rose]

I'm a female.
So ask about my gender not what my birth defect was.

[aleon515]

Funny you mention the website thing. I tried to change my name on gmail and facebook. I am not official with my name anywhere and I have not changed my name legally.  Facebook let me change my name but the top of the webpage still says my given name. Gmail wouldn't let me change my name (it shows up if I mail someone and right hand top of the page. The reason was that I couldn't prove the use of my name anywhere.


--Jay Jay

[Jillieann Rose]

At work were I am transitioning I use the unisex and handicap bathroom but everywhere else it's the women's bathroom.

Back to topic:
I have changed my name on Gmail and Yahoo.
I was also able to change me sex on Yahoo. I so prefer that to starting a new account like I had did on facebook.

I think the real question could have been (just guessing). On-line do you identify as your gender or as trans?
I am not ashamed of being trans but I would rather be treating and though of as a women.

[aleon515]

Calling it the "freakazoid" restroom is fairly disrespectful to those who identify as other than male or female and would like to have that sort of restroom for their use.

Actually, I do identify as trans and not really as completely male or female. OTOH, I am not a freak. I think there is such a thing as "unisex" bathrooms, if you don't feel you really want to go to a male or female bathroom or don't pass. That should work for everybody plus those with disabilities and people with young kids.

--Jay Jay

[Disgusting]

If those were my options, I'd just choose "male" as I normally do.  If there were an "other" option, though, I would at least consider using that simply because my gender as a whole isn't strictly binary--even if I feel my body should be, if that makes any sense.

[mikaellucien]

I opt for the male option, with few exceptions.  Sites such as this one is one of the only places I go into specifics (ftm).  My view is that; unless you are having sex with me or providing my medical care, you have no need of the data below my belt.