Queer, Nonbinary, or Ambiguous? Rethinking Voice Labels through Queer Theory in HCI

This paper explores how feminist and queer theories can inform voice design in technology, particularly in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). It argues that biological sex and gender are socially constructed and performative, and that voice is a site where identity is both enacted and interpreted. Building on this framework, the paper examines the political and cultural implications of labels such as “ambiguous”, “queer” and “nonbinary” in voice design. While “ambiguous” voices aim to reduce gendering broadly, “queer” and “nonbinary” voices intentionally represent gender-non-conforming people and challenge binary thinking. To ground this analysis in community perspectives, we report findings from a survey with nonbinary participants, examining how they label voices constructed from gender-expansive individuals and which terms they find most affirming. With this work, we offer practical guidelines for labelling voices in ways that affirm queer and nonbinary identities, clarifying when terms like “queer” and “nonbinary” are preferable and when “ambiguous” may be appropriate. Recognising these distinctions is key to ethical, inclusive design.