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Ask DN: Transgender on a gender question for a form?

almost 7 years ago from Luis La Torre, Designer.

  • Mikael StaerMikael Staer, almost 7 years ago

    I was just having this discussion at work. We are a healthcare company though, so it is definitely necessary for us.

    From what I have understood, Sex refers to the anatomical (male/female) whereas Gender is what one identifies as (male/female/"other") and can be fluid. In our app, we ask for Gender, but I think what we are actually asking for is Sex. However, in the context of a medical/healthcare situation, it would probably be ideal to know both, since someone with female anatomy could identify as a male, which has both physical (for example, menstruation cycle) and mental/psychological implications.

    For most apps and services, it actually doesn't matter what sex or gender a user is, so definitely first identify how necessary that data point really is.

    1 point
    • Account deleted almost 7 years ago

      Don’t ask for gender or sex unless you absolutely need to know. If you do, follow the guidance of your country’s healthcare authority. In the UK, the HSCIC provide user interface guidelines for collecting medical information. See http://systems.hscic.gov.uk/data/cui/uig/sexqig.pdf

      These guidelines list field values to be:

      Current Gender

      • Male
      • Female
      • Other Specific
      • Not Known (default)
      • Not Specified

      Sex

      • Male
      • Female
      • Not Known
      • Indeterminate
      1 point
    • Luis La TorreLuis La Torre, almost 7 years ago

      Online shopping. A marketer told me that women spend a lot more money online shopping. That's why I always ask. Should I not?

      0 points
    • Ruby ChenRuby Chen, almost 7 years ago

      Sex refers to the anatomical (male/female) whereas Gender is what one identifies as (male/female/"other") and can be fluid.

      I've worked on a healthcare-related project and my medical writer coworker also taught me that. We ended up using Sex with two options (male & female.)

      0 points