Most online forms still limit gender choices to male, female, or prefer not to say. For non-binary individuals, this can be frustrating and exclusionary. It forces people to misidentify themselves or choose an option that doesn't reflect their identity.
Why This Matters
Misrepresentation: Non-binary people don't fit neatly into 'male' or 'female.'
Lack of visibility: Limited options erase non-binary identities from recognition.
Reduced service quality: Incomplete or inaccurate gender data weakens organisations' ability to understand and serve their users effectively.
Inclusive Solutions
Expand gender options: Add choices like non-binary, genderqueer, and/or a write-in field.
User-focused design: Build forms and systems that adapt to a wide range of identities.
Educate stakeholders: Train teams to understand non-binary identities and why inclusive data collection matters.
Advocate for standards: Support policies requiring inclusive gender fields across industries.
Gather feedback: Let users share input on inclusivity to improve over time.
If this is affecting you
Try reaching out to the service using either publicly available 'suggestion boxes', contacting customer support or engaging with the organisation via places like social media may help encourage them to update their forms. Joining with other, likeminded people can also help as weight of numbers can help make your requests heard.
Restricting gender options is more than a design flaw: it's a barrier to representation. By expanding options and adopting inclusive practices, organisations can respect all users, improve data accuracy, and create more meaningful connections.