The update, which was launched Thursday, February 13, will initially only be available to the company’s 159 million US users. There are over now 50 options Facebook users can choose from, including ‘trans’, ‘agender’ and ‘gender nonconforming’.

“While to many this change may not mean much, for those it affects it means a great deal,” the company said in a post on its Diversity page.

“When you come to Facebook to connect with the people, causes, and organisations you care about, we want you to feel comfortable being your true, authentic self.

“An important part of this is the expression of gender, especially when it extends beyond the definitions of just ‘male’ or ‘female.'”

The company also said it plans to roll out the changes – which are currently limited to those who use Facebook in US English – across its wider network in the future.

The changes have been welcomed by human rights activists. “Over the past few years, a person’s Facebook profile truly has become their online identity, and now Facebook has taken a milestone step to allow countless people to more honestly and accurately represent themselves,” Chad Griffin, president of Human Rights Campaign Foundation told AP.

A full list of the new options is available at Slate.com