How Users Perceive the Representation of Non-binary Gender in Software Systems: An Interview Study

Book chapter, 2024

We research the users’ perception of the representation of gender in software through an interview study. We capture the perception of how non-binary people are being represented in different software systems. We aim to understand how users perceive the value of their gender being collected in the software they use, where it is not necessary to be captured, and how to make our systems more gender-inclusive. Through thematic coding, the results of the study present various themes related to gender representation in software. It is important that software engineers take the issues of gender representation seriously. This could imply not to register a user’s gender in the first place. Where relevant, it should be done in a way that makes sure that all gender identities feel included in the digital world.