A quarter of a million trans users have been matched since Tinder introduced LGBT friendly feature
Over 250,000 trans Tinder users have been matched since the app introduced more LGBT-friendly features.
Co-founder of the dating app, Sean Rad, revealed the number of matches while talking on a panel at SXSW with Sarah Kate Ellis of Glaad and Transparent producer Zackary Drucker.
The update, which was released in November, allows users to list their own gender identity, moving away from the exclusionary binary options of male and female.
Rad explained that since introducing the feature, users are avoiding harassment later on because gender is clearly displayed. The co-founder believes that this is helping to bring another level of education on gender to Tinder users.
The app worked in conjunction with Glaad to develop the feature, which Rad said was necessary due to the “complex” nature of gender identity.
“We were taken aback by how complex identity is,” he said. “It’s a very complex area and, at the same time, Tinder is extremely simple.”
“We have a great algorithm that can help, but no algorithm can solve humans and we needed the team to emphasise and help solve these things,” he said of the collaboration.
The CEO stressed the importance of sending an inclusive message to its users, especially those within the trans community, before announcing that a quarter of a million trans users had been matched since making the changes.
Rad said: “We sent an important message, not only to our community but our internal employees as well.
“When we were doing this it was very important we built a feature that works – and we are building a better product for transgender users too.
“Tinder is about everyone and everyone deserves to meet someone special,” he added.
