New inclusive emojis are coming but still no trans flag
59 new emoji are coming later this year. (Apple)
On World Emoji Day (July 17) Apple have announced that 59 new emoji will be released this autumn, and while they will be more inclusive there will still be no trans flag.
A petition has been running since last year asking Apple to add a trans flag to the thousands of emoji that already exist, but unfortunately have not included it in their latest announcement.
There will be an update to the holding hands emoji where users will be able to select skin tone and gender for more diverse couples, with more than 75 possible combinations.
Holding hands emoji will have more than 75 possible combinations. (Apple)
Apple will be introducing “disability-themed” emoji to “celebrate diversity”
Apple are also releasing emoji inclusive of those with disabilities. The company said in a press release: “Following Apple’s proposal to the Unicode Consortium last year to introduce more disability-themed emoji, a new guide dog, an ear with a hearing aid, wheelchairs, a prosthetic arm and a prosthetic leg will be available in the emoji keyboard.
“Celebrating diversity in all its many forms is integral to Apple’s values and these new options help fill a significant gap in the emoji keyboard.”
Emoji representing those with disabilities include an ear with a hearing aid, wheelchair users and a guide dog. (Apple)
(Apple)
New animals and food are also being released, including a sloth, flamingo, waffles and a plate of falafel and houmous, and there will also be a yawning emoji.
Falafal and houmous and waffle emoji. (Apple)
Sloth and flamingo emoji. (Apple)
Yawning emoji. (Apple)
Apple declined to comment when asked by PinkNews about the possibility of adding a trans flag emoji in the future.
Earlier this year, a hidden WhatsApp trick was revealed that allowed users to create a trans flag emoji, but it was only possible within WhatsApp on Android phones.
