A trans flag emoji is likely to soon be appearing on your phone.
Unicode, the non-profit organization responsible for defining which emojis make it onto all platforms, including iPhones, Android devices, and computers, has just unveiled new emojis approved for use.
The new symbols will be rolled out in the second half of 2020.
In total, 117 new emojis have been approved. These include a smiling face with a tear rolling down its cheek, a face that’s obviously wearing a disguise, pinched fingers, people hugging, a rainbow-colored piñata, and a ninja.
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? Now approved: 117 new emojis for 2020 #Emoji2020 https://t.co/SojQuXZvv6 pic.twitter.com/sHp7GDsSal
— Emojipedia ? (@Emojipedia) January 29, 2020
👀 Video: Every new emoji approved for 2020 #Emoji2020 https://t.co/epo6rbkMYK pic.twitter.com/Fnj6f4VnIs
— Emojipedia 📙 (@Emojipedia) January 29, 2020
Several figure-based emojis will be available in male, female and gender-neutral forms, including someone feeding a baby, a mustached man wearing a bridal veil, and a woman wearing a tuxedo.
New in Emoji 13.0: Man With Veil, with skin tone support #Emoji2020 https://t.co/PS1DyNHGwn pic.twitter.com/mpipd0E40S
— Emojipedia 📙 (@Emojipedia) January 29, 2020
Related: GOP lawmakers want to ban Pride and trans flags on public buildings
On Twitter, the announcement of a trans flag emoji prompted a huge response. Unicode has also approved the transgender symbol (⚧️), which is an amalgamation of the male and female signs.
New in Emoji 13.0: Transgender Flag #Emoji2020 https://t.co/DT0nXZx6HM pic.twitter.com/y3oEUHZUTD
— Emojipedia 📙 (@Emojipedia) January 29, 2020
Many people simply responded with a simple, “Trans rights.”
dang guys
you really came up with some original replies for this one pic.twitter.com/EL6z6dnXkD— JetpackGamer (@JetpackGamer456) January 29, 2020
Predictably, some people took offense to the new flag emoji and used it as an excuse to voice bigotry and prejudice – which brought a swift reprimand from others.
So much triggered snowflakes for an emoji that isnt mandatory to use
— ♠️Lilynestimable montre florivore flirteuse 💜 (@AntoninLaMontre) January 30, 2020
“For trans folk being able to say ‘transgender’ in emoji and to be out and proud and let our allies visibly support us is a huge deal for our community,” said Tea Uglow, who helped co-author the proposal for the emoji, reports Mashable.
“We’re really happy to have finally crossed into mainstream culture. It’s been an amazing team effort around the world.”
iminheatlikeacat
Thank goodness. Without these new emojis, tech companies could have been literally killing trans people.
mr guy
Good. Now the creepy straight AGPs and qUeEr enby types can stop culturally appropriating/colonising OUR rainbow flag. Yeah one can dream! Bring on the LGB Alliance flag!
Ronbo
More importantly, we have a transgender-friendly Presidential candidate. Google: “Sanders Responded To Transgender-Rights Survey” BuzzFeed News