New Apple Emojis to Include Interracial Gay Couples, Bearded Lady

Apple has added 217 new emojis in their latest iOS 14.5 update, including some inclusive additions sure to please the LGBTQ+ community. Included in the update are a bearded lady, 200 different skin tone choices for interracial and gay couples with additional male, female, and gender-neutrals options, according to Emojipedia. Other new emojis include new syringe and 'stoner' emojis.

The largest number of new emojis relate to individual representation as couples. Past updates had enabled various skin tone and gender options to the people holding hands emoji. The new update extends those same options to couples. Of the 217 new emjojis, 200 relate to this option.

Facial hair is no longer limited to masculine figures in the update. Users can now choose from multiple bearded lady emojis, some of which The Guardian noted look strikingly similar to Conchita Wurst, winner of the 2014 Eurovision contest.

Apple also rolled out what some are calling the stoner emojis, with one face exhaling, another in the clouds, and third featuring spiral eyes.

Also receiving an updated emoji is the syringe. In the past, the syringe was pictured with two drops of blood dripping from the needle. Now, in recognition of the new vaccines to treat the global pandemic, the blood drops have been eliminated and the syringe now appears to be filled with a clear liquid. There's also a heart on fire and mending heart emoji to help better reflect your romantic state at the moment.

Last year's iOS 14.2 emoji updates included a trans pride flag, trans and intersex symbols, and more options for brides and grooms. Apple had included nonbinary vampires, fairies, genies, mermaids and other emojis in a previous update.

The iOS 14.5 update is currently in beta testing, but is expected to rollout some time this year.

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