Apple Introduces Gender-Neutral Emojis with New Update

Apple has released a new line of emojis that include gender-neutral options for almost every human emoji, but still no trans flag.

Apple’s latest iOS update, iOS 13.2, introduce almost 400 new emojis, 255 of which are just gender-neutral versions of existing emojis.

https://twitter.com/Emojipedia/status/1188877466615631878

With the update, Apple users now have the choice of using 457 gender-neutral emojis, including a fairy, superhero, zombie, and scientist, according to Emojipedia.

Along with the gender diversity, the emojis are now more racially diverse: icons showing two people can now be given different skin tones, providing more interracial visibility.

https://twitter.com/jeremyburge/status/1182350386188828677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1182350386188828677&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinknews.co.uk%2F2019%2F10%2F29%2Femojis-apple-ios-update-gender-neutral-trans-otter-flamingo%2F

The otter community will also get some fun representation, as an otter has been introduced into the line of animal emojis, along with a flamingo, sloth, and skunk.

https://twitter.com/SamWiseSW/status/1188976132168863744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1188976132168863744&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinknews.co.uk%2F2019%2F10%2F29%2Femojis-apple-ios-update-gender-neutral-trans-otter-flamingo%2F

A wide range of emojis will also be added with the next update, including an ice cube, a white heart, a waffle, and Saturn. However, once again, a trans flag is not on the list, despite campaigning from the trans community. Currently, Android users can use the flag as a workaround on WhatsApp.