TL;DR: We redesigned our gender (identity) selector to be more inclusive and transparent, based on research and user interviews with non-binary and transgender people. Outcome: respectful, up-to-date options with clear explanations (full transparency) that build user trust.
Client: Platypus
At Platypus, we identified the need to make our product copy — especially around identity — more inclusive and thoughtful. Together with our Head of Design and UX Writer, we reviewed how gender was represented in our platform and realized that the existing options didn’t reflect the diversity of our users. For an HR SaaS product, this was especially critical.
We redesigned the gender selector based on research and community input. We consulted with non-binary and transgender individuals to better understand how to approach this in a respectful and relevant way. The result was a revised set of options: Woman, Man, Non-binary/Genderqueer, and Prefer not to answer — offering clarity, inclusiveness, and the choice to opt out. We also carefully chose the term “Genderqueer” as a widely accepted umbrella term to help represent a broad spectrum of identities.
What truly elevated this work was the addition of clear, transparent copy explaining why we ask for gender information and how that data is used. Instead of relying on assumptions, we gave users context — which helped foster trust and supported a more respectful product experience.