A bank just took one major step towards gender inclusivity

LONDON -- Customers and staff at a British bank will now be able to choose from non-binary options on any forms and paperwork they complete.

Metro Bank announced Thursday that all forms presented to customers and colleagues will include the gender-inclusive title Mx. as an option in addition to the existing Mr., Mrs., Miss, and Ms. options. The bank is also adding non-binary as a gender to its forms. The bank had previously only listed male and female as gender options.

The bank is calling on peer institutions to follow its lead in its effort to be a more "open and inviting bank."

A spokesperson for Metro Bank told Mashable that the company received feedback from colleagues and customers who were keen for it to introduce "Mx" as a title and "non-binary" as a gender on application forms and paperwork. The bank's decision to make its forms more gender inclusive comes as a campaign led by 17-year-old student Kaelin Farnish calls for British banks to make changes to their application forms which require customers to be either male or female.

Farnish, who identifies as non-binary and uses the pronouns they, their and them, told BuzzFeed that they had not been able to find a bank that would let them join without ticking male or female as their gender.

"At Metro Bank, we have the opportunity to help drive forward equality and we’re proud to be taking an active stand on this issue," Danny Hamer, Metro Bank’s Chief People Officer said in a statement emailed to Mashable.

Hamer said that the bank was pleased to have removed the barrier which was denying people the "option to identify themselves as they choose".

"Making sure our customers and colleagues feel comfortable and accepted is a real priority for us. That’s why we listened and acted on the feedback we received. We hope that today’s announcement will help encourage others to follow in our footsteps," Hamer continued. Metro Bank isn't alone in adding Mx and non-binary options to forms. Oxford City Council recently introduced similar gender-inclusive options in an effort to be more inclusive.

A spokesperson for LGBTQ charity Stonewall told Mashable that the changes indicate "important and much-needed recognition to people who do not identify as either male or female".

"It’s great to see them taking proactive steps to ensure their needs are met and that they are accepted and included," the spokesperson continued.