Tinder on Tuesday announced an update
to its popular dating app that welcomes transgender and gender
non-conforming users.
“Starting today, no matter how you
identify, you can express your authentic self on Tinder,” the
company said in announcing the change.
“No one will ever be banned from
Tinder because of their gender. We haven't had the right tools to
serve our diverse community in the past, but that changes today. In
addition to this new feature, we are learning to be a better ally to
transgender and gender non-conforming communities by allocating
additional resources to our support team, which includes our staff
about the challenges facing these communities,” the
company added.
Tinder developed the changes with help
from GLAAD's Transgender Media Program team and transgender
consultant Andrea James.
“It sends a strong message of
acceptance when a platform like Tinder clearly tells its users that
transgender people are welcome,” said Nick Adams, director of
GLAAD's Transgender Media Program. “Trans people who use Tinder
are, like all other users, looking to form relationships and find the
right match. Tinder's update allows trans users to be themselves on
the platform, and makes it clear that Tinder is committed to
inclusion. This update reflects a growing awareness that trans people
are part of the fabric of everyday life, which in turn, accelerates
acceptance for transgender and gender non-conforming people.”
Prior to Tuesday's update, users had
only two genders to pick from: man or woman.