230 NEW emojis are set to arrive on smartphones with new gender inclusive couple options among the most notable new additions.
Emojipedia has revealed the final list of approved emoji additions which also includes several disability-positive characters.
It marks the first time Unicode has included gender neutral/gender inclusive additions featuring people holding hands.
These new emojis will also be made available in a variety of skin tones.
According to Emojipedia, the new emoji “can represent either those who don't identify with the existing gender options, or merely those feel their appearance or style is closer to these designs than the options for Women or Men.”
A total of 59 brand new individual emojis have been added, which totals out at 230 once the many variations are factored in.
Other notable additions include a yawning face, a flamingo, an otter, a guide dog, a waffle, a pinching hand, a yo-yo and a Hindu temple among others.
The gender-neutral/gender-inclusive emoji has come in for criticism on Twitter though.
One user hit out at the new additions, stating: “the ‘gender neutral/gender inclusive’ emoji are all just the ‘women’ face with short hair”.
PS the ‘gender neutral/gender inclusive’ emoji are all just the ‘women’ face with short hair 🙃
— smol flux 🍃 (@cherryrae) February 6, 2019
“They all fall under the "This is what a non-binary/GNC person looks like, aren't you happy??? Well, aren't you??"
"BS This continues the horrible erasure of anyone who doesn't fall under one particular appearance and needs to stop already,” another added.
They all fall under the "This is what a non-binary/GNC person looks like, aren't you happy??? Well, aren't you??" BS
This continues the horrible erasure of anyone who doesn't fall under one particular appearance and needs to stop already.— Kaiju, Making Monsters🏳️⚧️🦖 (@EnbyKaiju) February 6, 2019
No official date has been set for when the new emoji will arrive on Android or Smartphone.
