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Facebook Adds Icons for Married Same-Sex Couples

Posted by on Jul 2, 2012 in Tech Geek | 11 comments

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Today in Sweet Jesus How Did They Not Do This Long Ago news:

Facebook has rolled out a new feature providing additional recognition for its users who are married to a person of the same sex.

Now these users who have indicated on their Facebook timeline that they are married will be recognized by new same-sex marriage icons, rather than the marriage icon used for straight married couples.

I mean…I guess…thanks to Facebook for this update? I think?

Maybe it’s just me, but this wonderfully inclusive gesture from the world’s largest social network is considerably offset by the realization that Facebook was up until this point acknowledging the marriages of same-sex couples with icons depicting a bride and a groom.

***Update: UB reader (and superbabe) Jonah writes, “It would seem that in the mobile apps, the old man/woman icon is still in use. (I’ve just Facebook-wed a friend of mine to experiment. I expect we’ll last a week before the divorce.)” Can you get on that, Facebook?

And while it was lovely when Callie and Arizona wed in a set of bridal gowns (not matching, thank goodness), it has been my experience that the reality of most lesbian weddings do not include two dresses. Just like not every wedding uniting two men includes matching tuxedos.

This is certainly a welcome (and long overdue) update, but I’m not sure it reflects the way in which millions of LGBT couples perceive gender roles in their own relationships. From where I’m sitting, these icons are very much the product of heterosexual coders on the Facebook team making a (lovely) one-size-fits-all gesture toward the LGBT community, but one that doesn’t necessarily fit the majority of the intended recipients.

But then again, my husband and I married in our living room with no witnesses in a state that at the time did not legally recognize our union or the way in which we celebrated it. So I could be way off here.

I’m curious what you think about Facebook’s evolving LGBT inclusiveness, the icons themselves, and even what you wore/will wear on your wedding day. Sound off in the comments below.

(via GLAAD)