Americans are becoming more accepting of gays and lesbians and, in some cases, transgendered people. At the same time, a new generation of young people is challenging our understanding of gender.

They’re calling for more fluid categories beyond just male and female, as NPR’s Margot Adler explains.

MARGOT ADLER, BYLINE: It began with a speaking event at Oberlin College in Ohio. I was at dinner with the college chaplain and 16 students on his interfaith council. I was startled when everyone introduced themselves saying their name, what year they were, what they were studying and then described their preferred gender pronouns. I wasn’t taping but it sounded similar to these high school students introducing themselves to me recently in New York.

RUSSELL LASDON: I’m Russell Lasdon and I use he/him/his pronouns.

KETZEL FEASLEY: I’m Ketzel Feasley and my PGP’s are she/her/hers.

ADLER: For those of you who have never heard this done, as I hadn’t, this is happening on many campuses. It’s a way of being supportive or an ally to those who are transgender or gender non-conforming. Those who are not cisgender – that is, their emotional gender identity does not match their biology.