is the trans flag important enough to be an emoji?

can an emoji save human lives?

Jun 15, 2024

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

Emojis are generally, small.

We use it every day, and everyone hardly thinks about it more than 10 seconds, when they choose one emoji to fit what they want to express.

But then the problem arises. The emoji keyboard does not include every concept ever known to mankind. What if someone wants to express something, that is not already there?

Like, you know, themselves being queer?

The transgender flag emoji wasn't always a reality. Its inclusion in the emoji lexicon didn't happen by chance; it was the product of relentless advocacy, determination, and, yes, plenty of frustration. People poured their hearts and souls into the fight for its recognition, navigating bureaucratic hurdles and facing resistance every step of the way.

Their unwavering commitment transformed a mere idea into a symbol of visibility and validation, proving that progress is often the result of persistence and collective effort.

Let me introduce - Tea Uglow.

Tea Uglow has worked at Google for more than 10 years. She started Google's Creative Lab in Europe and, since 2012, has been building a Creative Lab for the Asia Pacific region in Sydney, Australia. She works with cultural organizations and practitioners to enable artists, writers and performers to look at new ways in which we can use digital technology to augment traditional art, theatre and music.

She also used to be the lobbyist for transgender flag emoji. “Used to” because she has already succeeded. Look at your phone. 🏳️‍⚧️

Why she needed to lobby for the transgender flag emoji,

and more importantly, why was she doing that?

why emojis exist in the first place

Our communication are a hundred-fold more intense than that of our parents, we now not only have to keep contact with the people that live in our cities, but also with someone who is on the other side of the country, or across the globe. Through texts, voice messages, or video calls.

But trying to migrate our connection onto simple lines of text is not an easy task. Conversations aren't just verbal, in a way that can be typed out into words like the ones that you’re reading; they're rich with non-verbal cues like facial expressions and body language. Expressing these nuances through text alone feels awkward or even loses some of their meaning.

Like would you text, “hey—I’m making an attentive face hearing your story”?

So, somebody comes up with a really brilliant idea:

“What if, we can, send a message of our faces, in the lines of the text, to express ourselves? Cool right?”

Emoji’s primary function is to fill in emotional cues otherwise missing from conversations that are typed out, like texts, as well as to replace words as part of a logographic system (like those ancient Egyptian drawings on the wall you see on National Geographic), for either clarification, convenience, or fun.

Emoji exist in various genres, to express different kinds of things, including facial expressions, activity, food and drinks, celebrations, flags, objects, symbols, places, types of weather, animals and nature.

But with so many different apps, systems, languages, emojis that are in the market right now, there needs to be some kind of way, or method, or organization, to ensure that, these words and emojis are standardized and presented all the same way across all platforms. That is how the Unicode Consortium is formed.

the totally diverse Unicode Consortium

The Unicode Consortium stands as the linchpin of digital communication, overseeing the standardization of characters and symbols across various platforms and languages. The goal is to make every time you send me a text via iPhone, I would be able to see that ⍰⍰⍰⍰ on my Samsung phone with no errors. That standardization is called the Unicode Standard.

It is like if our conversation online is a house, the Unicode Standard would be how the bricks should be, what types of cements you are allowed to use, etc. You are free to build the house however you want, but the ingredients, the components that make up that house have to comply with the standards.

Founded in 1991, the Consortium boasts a “diverse” membership spanning multinational corporations, governmental organizations, and independent experts, 20 people, but mostly white and men, hailing from every corner of the globe. Despite being a non-profit organization on paper, the members being in the Consortium are unfortunately also members of companies and organizations that will benefit, or, not benefit from the decisions of the committee.

They will maintain the Unicode Standard, and gets to decide how billions of people, in every platform, using every device, speaking every language and being in every culture, are allowed to communicate.

the emoji language

The problem with emoji is that it is not a pre-existing language, like Vietnamese, or English: when dealing with languages like these, there are linguist and experts to consult, there are native speakers to ask, and the only remaining task would be to assign which codes go to which characters that already exist and you’re good to go.

The problem with emoji is that there is no characters that already exist, there is no “emoji dictionary”, and there’s no one who speaks emoj-ese to ask. So, Unicode has to build a different process around it. They have to decide.

The Unicode Consortium are the ones who decide how many skin colors an emoji should have, if a tractor is culturally significant enough to be included, should a gun emoji be a real gun or a water gun, or, is it worth it to piss off all the homophobes out there to add a transgender flag into the emoji keyboard.

In order for a new emoji to be added to the universal keyboard, it must go through a pretty lengthy process.

The Proposal and Approval Process

Proposal Submission:

The quest begins with an idea. Anyone can propose a new emoji, I can propose the logo of this blog as the new emoji too if I want, but not all ideas will make the cut. The proposal process is akin to pitching a concept to a board of directors; it requires meticulous planning, presentation and a damn good reason.

Proposals must provide a comprehensive overview of the proposed emoji, including its intended use cases, relevance to diverse audiences, and preliminary design concepts.

Think of it as crafting a business proposal, but instead of pitching a product, you're pitching a symbol that will become part of the global lexicon of digital communication.

Evaluation Criteria:

Once a proposal is submitted, it undergoes rigorous scrutiny by the Unicode Consortium. The evaluation process is like a quality control checkpoint, ensuring that only the most deserving candidates advance to the next stage.

Proposals are assessed based on a range of criteria, including compatibility with existing standards, expected usage levels across different platforms and languages, and the distinctiveness of the proposed emoji. This step serves as a filter, separating the wheat from the chaff and ensuring that only the most promising proposals proceed to the next phase.

Voting and Approval:

With the evaluation complete, the fate of each proposal lies in the hands of the Consortium's subcommittees. These specialized groups, composed of experts from various fields, meticulously review each proposal and cast their votes based on its merits.

The voting process is democratic, with each member weighing the pros and cons before making an informed decision.

Only proposals that garner sufficient support receive the coveted stamp of approval, signaling their imminent inclusion in the Unicode Standard. This final step ensures that only the most relevant and useful emojis make their way into the digital ecosystem, enriching our communication and expression in meaningful ways.

The evaluation and voting process is organized behind closed doors, and can last for days.

Emojis have indeed become a ubiquitous aspect of digital communication, with staggering figures underscoring their immense popularity and usage. For instance, on Facebook Messenger alone, over 5 billion emojis are exchanged every day, offering a glimpse into their pervasive presence in modern conversations. Additionally, with 3,633 emojis available in the Unicode Standard as of Emoji 14.0, the breadth and diversity of this visual language are vast.

All thanks to the diligent efforts of the Unicode Consortium.

Yet, beneath the surface of this seemingly impartial process lies a tangled web of systemic biases that influence decision-making and representation.

At its core, the issue of underrepresentation within the Consortium's decision-making framework reveals entrenched biases. Despite commendable efforts to foster inclusivity, the process often tends to prioritize symbols and characters that align with dominant cultural norms. This inadvertently sidelines lesser-known languages, cultures, and communities, exacerbating inequalities in digital representation.

It's important to recognize that the members of the Unicode Consortium, while dedicated to their mission, are not activists.

Their primary aim is to balance the diverse needs and preferences of a broad audience without pissing off other significant segments. Especially, with flag emojis.

"It is a challenge," said Lisa Moore, chairwoman of Unicode, regarding the inclusion of flags in the emoji lexicon. "Flags have been a challenging area for us to figure out how to add them because flags are so closely associated with self-identity, political identity - you know, all kinds of movements around the world have their own flags," she added.
"So there are many associations with flags," she said, "and we wanted to be careful about how we represent. It's tough because it's explosive, you know what I mean? It's like you all of a sudden have millions of flags, you know, and we can't quite go there. And sometimes it's politically very challenging also, you know. Do you really want to take sides and at a big political drama?"

the fight for representation

That brings us back to the story of Tea Uglow.

As an openly transgender woman, Tea Uglow is also a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion, particularly within the tech industry. She speaks and writes frequently about the importance of diverse perspectives in fostering innovation and creativity.

For Uglow, the quest for the transgender flag emoji is more than just a technical endeavor; it's a deeply emotional journey rooted in her own lived experience as a transgender woman.

Faced with the daily challenges of navigating a world that often overlooks or marginalizes transgender identities, Uglow understands firsthand the importance of visibility and representation in fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance.

“When I say that it can save lives,” she shared, “I lived in the closet for a very, very long time and I always thought that, well, people shouldn't want to kill themselves because they're different, because they feel differently and part of feeling differently is not understanding that lots of other people actually feel the same way as you, that you're not that different, you're just unusual, uncommon, special."

The transgender flag is used by people, organizations, and communities to show pride, diversity, rights, and remembrance within the transgender community. It's similar to the rainbow flag, but specifically for trans people.

Our rights are in danger right now more than ever': Trans Pride in London 2023 | The Independent

Monica Helms designed the flag in 1999, and it's been adopted by the transgender community worldwide ever since.

Explaining his design, Monical says that the flag has light blue stripes at the top and bottom for baby boys, pink stripes next to them for baby girls, and a white stripe in the middle for those who are intersex, transitioning, or have a neutral or undefined gender.

Displaying the flag fosters a greater understanding and acceptance of transgender people, highlighting their rights and struggles.

It serves not just as a representation of who they are but as a rallying cry for equality, dignity, and respect in a world that often marginalizes them. The flag’s importance lies in its ability to unify the community, honor its history, and inspire future generations to live openly and authentically.

Denying this flag means denying the representation of the transgender community.

The frustration and indignation Uglow feels at the absence of the transgender flag emoji are palpable, a reflection of the systemic barriers and biases that continue to pervade the society that we live in. It's a frustration born not only from a sense of personal exclusion but also from a broader recognition of the pervasive discrimination and erasure faced by transgender individuals on a global scale.

As she navigates the labyrinthine corridors of bureaucracy and technology in her quest to advocate for the emoji's inclusion, Uglow encounters a myriad of challenges and setbacks. The resistance she encounters—from skeptical industry insiders to entrenched institutional barriers—only serves to fuel her determination and resolve.

Tea Uglow, reflecting on the potential impact of inclusive representation in digital communication, expressed her unwavering commitment to the cause:

"The fact that it might save lives or change lives - that's a reason to keep trying," she emphasized. "But if it doesn't happen this time, we try next time and next time, because we think it certainly saves more lives than a wineglass," she remarked.

Yet, amidst the frustration and adversity, Uglow finds moments of hope and solidarity. She discovers allies within the tech industry who share her vision for a more inclusive emoji landscape. She finds strength in the support of fellow activists and community members who stand by her side, amplifying her voice and lending their collective power to the cause.

The transgender flag emoji 🏳️‍⚧️ was officially added to the Unicode Standard with the release of Emoji 13.0 in March 2020. This marked a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to promote visibility and representation for the transgender community in digital communication.

Through it all, Uglow remains steadfast in her commitment to fighting for visibility and representation for the transgender community. For her, the struggle is not just about securing a mere symbol; it's about affirming the humanity and dignity of transgender individuals everywhere.

It's about ensuring that no one feels unseen or unheard in a world that too often overlooks their existence.

Uglow emphasized the importance of making it more obvious, so obvious to people, especially young people, teenagers, and children, "that the feelings in their body are fine.” She added, “So I think that any step towards fixing that saves life. We just don't have numbers because people don't leave notes.”
“It seems silly that some pixels would save lives." She ended.

This imbalance in presentation not only perpetuates cultural hegemony but also reinforces existing power dynamics in the digital sphere.

Moreover, the protracted timeline for emoji updates underscores inherent bureaucratic hurdles within the Consortium. While the process of introducing new emojis involves meticulous scrutiny to ensure compatibility and consistency across platforms, the prolonged deliberations often frustrate users eagerly anticipating the inclusion of culturally relevant or emotionally expressive symbols.

Emojis, seemingly innocent pictographs, also often serve as a subtle form of censorship, with the Unicode Consortium wielding significant influence over what we can express.

By determining which symbols are included or excluded, they shape our digital language and limit our communicative options. One example is the gun emoji. If you began using social media platforms like Facebook before 2016, you’ll probably remember the gun emoji used to feature a real pistol, but it underwent a transformation to a playful water pistol 🔫 —a decision made by the Consortium amid concerns over people using itto promoteg violence and death threats, especially after the US continuing gun violence in that time.

This censorship extends beyond just symbols; it influences the nuances and tone of our conversations, illustrating the power embedded within seemingly trivial characters. What you can say in your emojis is already determined. Let me say that again,

what 8 billions of you and me and people are allowed to say in emojis are already determined, by a group of 20 people.

However, while filled with flaws, bias and bureaucracy, the Unicode Consortium are not closed to change and inclusivity. New emojis are still introduced every year in the efforts of keeping up with cultural and societal change, as well as being more inclusive of marginalized groups of people. But emojis, just like any other form of expression, will never satisfy everyone.

no gay signs allowed

No good deeds go unpunished.

Despite progressive efforts, certain countries and communities with their own sets of cultures and legislation do not particularly enjoy some changes in the emoji keyboard.

In 2016, Indonesia's Communication and Information Ministry sparked controversy by announcing a ban on messaging apps and platforms featuring emojis depicting same-sex couples or LGBT themes.

This decision, driven by concerns over the perceived promotion of "deviant sexualities," ignited a fierce debate over freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ rights in the predominantly conservative Muslim-majority country. Critics condemned the ban as a violation of human rights and an attempt to suppress LGBTQ+ visibility and representation in digital spaces.

The move also raised questions about the role of governments in regulating online content and the extent to which cultural and religious values should influence digital communication.

Amidst international scrutiny and condemnation, the ban highlighted the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in Indonesia and underscored the complexities of navigating cultural sensitivities and human rights principles in the digital age.

In Russia, the regulation of LGBTQ+ content, including emojis depicting same-sex couples or LGBT themes, has been a subject of scrutiny and controversy. While there hasn't been a specific ban on gay emojis, as seen in Indonesia, the Russian government has implemented various laws and regulations that restrict LGBTQ+ visibility and expression.

The infamous "gay propaganda" law, passed in 2013, prohibits the promotion of "non-traditional sexual relationships" to minors, effectively censoring LGBTQ+ content in media and public spaces. This legislation has created a climate of fear and discrimination, leading to self-censorship among individuals and organizations advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

While emojis themselves may not have been explicitly targeted, their inclusion in messaging platforms and social media can still be subject to scrutiny under Russia's restrictive laws.

As a result, LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia continue to face challenges in expressing their identities openly and fear reprisal for their visibility in digital spaces. The situation underscores the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of expression in Russia, where cultural conservatism and state-sanctioned discrimination intersect with the digital realm.

Ultimately, these challenges underscore broader questions regarding representation and authority in the digital age.

After all, who holds the authority to dictate which symbols enter our digital lexicon?

In a world where digital communication bridges continents and cultures, emojis serve as a universal language, filling gaps that words can never.

The journey of the transgender flag emoji exemplifies the power of persistence, the importance of visibility, and the ongoing war for representation. Let us remember that every symbol we use, though small, can carry profound meaning and impact. We honor those who tirelessly work to ensure every individual feels seen and valued.

Your voice matters, and together, we can continue to shape a more inclusive world - probably one emoji at a time 🏳️‍⚧️

Happy Pride Month, everyone! Do you have any comments about the post? Are there any things that you think should be added to the emoji keyboard? Please leave a comment below.