In all the editions and rule books of Dungeons and Dragons, the RPG has never specifically said that players cannot create characters that are neither specifically male nor female…but the rules have never actually said you could, either.
Until now.
Last Thursday, Wizards of the Coast released a set of “basic rules” for the upcoming fifth edition that are free for downloading, “with the idea of putting this new version of D&D into ‘as many hands as possible,'” according to The Mary Sue.
Chapter 4 is called “Personality and Background” and here is how the rules now read:
The 5th edition Starter Kit will hit shelves July 15 and can be pre-ordered right now on Amazon.com.
[Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Fantasy Roleplaying Fundamentals (D&D Boxed Game)]