Trans activist Charlie Craggs is spearheading a new campaign for the trans flag to be made available as an emoji, using an unlikely mascot to drum up support - the lobster.
The lobster was recently given official emoji status after reported “frustration and confusion” from seafood aficionados, according to Cragg's .
In the petition description, Craggs writes: “Surely we deserve the same rights you have afforded crustaceans?”
She continues: "The answer should be obvious, but this is just one of the many emojis that Unicode (which Facebook, Google and Apple are voting members of) has chosen instead of the trans flag for the last update. Even though it’s one of the most requested emojis."
"Emojis are a way for the world to connect, and trans people shouldn’t be left out of the conversation."
The campaign includes a short video, which introduces the #ClawsOutForTrans hashtag.
"So, here's the T [truth]," Craggs says in the video.
"The trans flag is one of the most requested emojis, but what are we given? A lobster, some bricks, and a whole tonne of bullsh*t."
The video then quotes Unicode voting members - those who select which emojis are developed and rolled out - as saying: "The lobster's representation is vital for people eat seafood, work in the fishing industry, or live in coastal regions."
"Lobsters can be gynandromorphs," the video continues, explaining that "a gynandromorph is an organism that contains both male and female characteristics."
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"So if we can't have our flag, we're taking the lobster," Craggs says.
"The unofficial official trans symbol."
