diff --git a/example.json b/example.json
index c6334ca..65e14b4 100644
--- a/example.json
+++ b/example.json
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 { "members": [
-    {"name": "Alice", "gender": "f"},
-    {"name": "Bob", "gender": "m"},
-    {"name": "Sam", "gender": "o"},
-    {"name": "Eve", "gender": "f"},
-    {"name": "Charles", "gender": "m"},
-    {"name": "Max", "gender": "o"}
+    {"name": "Alice", "color": "pink"},
+    {"name": "Bob", "color": "blue"},
+    {"name": "Sam", "color": "green"},
+    {"name": "Eve", "color": "pink"},
+    {"name": "Charles", "color": "blue"},
+    {"name": "Max", "color": "yellow"}
   ],
 
   "relationships": [
diff --git a/polygraph.py b/polygraph.py
index 9ae047a..9b06400 100755
--- a/polygraph.py
+++ b/polygraph.py
@@ -4,22 +4,11 @@ import pygraphviz as pgv
 import json
 import argparse
 
-# These are the attributes to use for color-coding the graphs
-
-# Three gender colours, so that we encapsulate masculine, feminine, and a catch-all for other identities
-# If you'd rather explicitly colour-code other identities, just add them :)
-gender_colors = {
-    'm': 'blue',
-    'f': 'pink',
-    'o': 'green',
-    }
-
-
 def parse_args():
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Generate graphs of polyamorous family networks from data files')
     parser.add_argument('--input', '-i', default='network.json', help='Input file in json format')
     parser.add_argument('--output', '-o', default='network.png', help='Output image file. Format auto-detected from file extension')
-    parser.add_argument('--gender', '-g', action='store_true', help='Indicate gender in output graph')
+    parser.add_argument('--gender', '-g', action='store_true', help='Include gender colors in output graph')
     return parser.parse_args()
 
 
@@ -38,11 +27,10 @@ def main():
     graph.edge_attr['arrowsize'] = 0.5
 
     # Add nodes to graph
-    gender_color = 'white'
-
     for user in data['members']:
+        gender_color = 'white'
         if settings.gender:
-            gender_color = gender_colors[user['gender']]
+            gender_color = user['color']
 
         graph.add_node(user['name'], fillcolor=gender_color)