๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐ฆ
Family: Woman, Woman, Boy
FAM-uh-lee: WOO-muhn, WOO-muhn, BOY
Definitions
1
Family ยท Relationships
Common
Represents a family unit with two women as parents and a male child. Used to depict same-sex female parents with their son in digital communication.
Commonly used to represent LGBTQ+ families, particularly lesbian couples with a son, in supportive contexts.
So happy our adoption went through! Our family is complete ๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐ฆ #TwoMomLove
Instagram post
Just booked our first family vacation as a trio ๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐ฆ Can't wait!
Facebook status
Happy Pride Month from our little family to yours ๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐ฆโค๏ธ๐
Twitter/X post
Part of the inclusive family emoji set introduced to represent diverse family structures beyond traditional nuclear families.
2
Identity ยท Representation
Common
Used as a symbol of LGBTQ+ visibility and representation, particularly for lesbian parents with sons. Often employed in advocacy contexts.
Frequently appears in discussions about family diversity, LGBTQ+ rights, and inclusive representation.
Why representation matters: my son finally saw a family like ours ๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐ฆ in his school books today!
Twitter/X post
All families deserve legal protection ๐จโ๐จโ๐ง ๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐ฆ ๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ #FamilyEquality
Advocacy tweet
Represents progress in digital representation of diverse family structures and is often used in pride-related contexts.
Evolution Timeline
2016
Introduction of ZWJ family emoji sequences allowed representation of diverse family structures for the first time.
Growing advocacy for digital representation of LGBTQ+ families
2017
Usage spiked following same-sex marriage legalization in Australia and Germany, becoming a symbol of celebration.
Legal recognition of same-sex marriage in multiple countries
2019
Became more mainstream in advertising and corporate communications during Pride Month campaigns.
Corporate adoption of inclusive imagery in marketing
2021
Normalized in everyday communication beyond LGBTQ+ communities, used by allies and in general discussions about family diversity.
Broader social acceptance and normalization of diverse family representations
Cultural Context
Represents the increasing social recognition of diverse family structures beyond the traditional nuclear family model of heterosexual parents.
Created using Zero Width Joiner (ZWJ) technology, allowing multiple emojis to be combined into a single visual unit, enabling more diverse representation.
Part of Unicode's response to advocacy for more inclusive family representations, reflecting changing social attitudes toward family diversity.
Acceptance and usage frequency varies significantly by region, with higher usage in areas with legal recognition of same-sex marriage and adoption.
Often accompanied by terms like "modern family," "rainbow family," or "two-mom family" in text, reflecting evolving family terminology.
Regional Variations
Australia
Commonly used following marriage equality legislation in 2017, with increased visibility in mainstream media and communication.
United Kingdom
Commonly used across social media with less political connotation than in the US. Widely accepted in mainstream communication.
United States
Widely used and accepted, particularly in liberal urban areas and coastal states. Often appears in Pride Month celebrations.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Moderate usage, often in supportive contexts or when discussing their own families. More likely to use on Facebook than other platforms.
Gen_Z: Used naturally and frequently without political emphasis. Often appears in casual contexts on TikTok and Instagram Stories to represent family diversity.
Older: Limited usage, primarily by those with LGBTQ+ family members or strong allies. May use explicitly to signal support for family diversity.
Millennials: Commonly used by millennial parents in family updates and advocacy contexts. Frequently appears in parenting groups and family-oriented social media.
Common Combinations
๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐ฆโค๏ธ
Expressing love for or within a two-mother family with a son.
Commonly used to express family pride and affection, especially during Pride Month or family milestones.
๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐ฆ๐
LGBTQ+ family with two mothers and a son, often in Pride contexts.
The rainbow symbolizes LGBTQ+ pride alongside the family unit, commonly used during Pride events.
๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐ฆโ๏ธ
Two-mother family traveling with their son.
Used for family vacations and trips, often in travel-related posts or updates.
๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐ฆ๐
Two-mother family at home or discussing housing/domestic life.
Used when discussing family homes, moving, or domestic activities.
๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐ฆ๐
Celebrating a birthday or milestone in a two-mother family.
Used for birthdays, anniversaries, or celebrations within the family unit.
Related Emojis
๐จโ๐จโ๐ฆ
Similar family structure with two fathers instead of two mothers
๐ฉโ๐ฉโ๐ง
Same-sex female parents with a daughter instead of a son
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ฆ
Different family structure with opposite-sex parents and a son
๐
Often used together to emphasize LGBTQ+ identity and pride
โค๏ธ
Frequently combined to express family love and affection