Swiping on Tinder may involve a binary choice, but gender identity most certainly doesn’t. Not anymore, at least. On Tuesday, the popular dating app announced the introduction of more gender identities for its users, so that “no matter how you identify, you can express your authentic self on Tinder.”
Beginning today, users can edit or add more information about their gender identity if the traditional “male” or “female” just doesn’t cut it. When users create their profiles, they can tap into the “I Am” tab and select “More” to find a word that most accurately describes their gender identity. Whether or not they ultimately display that gender on their profile is within their discretion.
The inclusion of more gender options and fluid categories represents just the tip of the proverbial iceberg in terms of Tinder’s efforts to become “a better ally to transgender and gender non-conforming communities.” As Tinder noted in its blog post announcement, “Every new person in your life expands your horizons in some way. Inclusion and acceptance drive this expansion, and we want Tinder to reflect the world that surrounds us every day.”
In addition to the new gender identity options on Tinder, the app is also adding various resources to their support team, including educating their staff about the challenges faced by these communities. “We know that we haven’t been perfect in the past. If you believe you were ever wrongfully removed from Tinder because another user reported you unfairly due to your gender, we want to invite you back to our platform,” Tinder continued. “Simply send an email to questions@gotinder.com with a link to your Facebook profile. Our team will review your request and work to grant you access to Tinder.” Currently, more gender identities are available to Tinder users in the U.S., U.K., and Canada.
