It’s 2020 and Match is still refusing to let bisexual people say they’re interested in more than one gender

Match suffered stinging criticism last week after suggesting that bisexual users create two separate profiles to use the service, rather than Match simply making the dating website more bi+ inclusive.

Despite the fact that bi+ activists have been rallying for the feature for years, the company refused to allow users to choose more than one gender. Moreover, it emphasised that it offers “two-gender preferences”, stonewalling non-binary users from joining.

Representatives of the Dallas, Texas-based company told PinkNews that Match is “available to all, regardless of sexual orientation”, but it appears it did little to stop bi+ people from dumping Match for good.

Match slammed for not giving users the ability to choose from more than one gender. 

Creating an online dating profile can feel like a trying task.

What photo do you use to express yourself with a few pixels? What ‘favourite movie’ of your’s somehow captures your entire personality?

How do you subtly include that you’re over six feet tall? Do you really enjoy walks on the beach at sunset? But wait, who doesn’t enjoy walks on the beach at sunset?

Now, imagine going through that twice. For monosexual folk, those attracted to one gender, dating apps are a breeze.

But for those attracted to more than one gender, logging-onto Match will find themselves rattled by a simple step in the registration process. Having to pick between being attracted to men, or women.

There was no option to be attracted to more than one gender, and no option for non-binary or agender people.

In 2016, bisexual Twitter user Hatpin Drill sought to ask Match why there simply wasn’t an option to be attracted to more than one gender. Four years later, they flagged it again, and nothing has changed.

“If you want to know what biphobia looks like in 2020, it’s this,” they wrote.

https://twitter.com/PippinDrill/status/806527355783147521

“I guess Match didn’t take on board that ‘feedback’ four years ago.”

Bi+ users share fury at having to ‘split themselves into a heterosexual and a gay person’.

After backlash bubbled, the UK and Ireland branch of the website sought to tamper down criticism by giving bi and pan folk a, er, suggestion.

“Our site is for everyone but at the moment it’s only set up for two gender preferences,” the website’s Twitter account stated.

“Members can set up two profiles with their preferences and they only have to pay for one.”

“Apparently a bisexual person is required to split themselves into a heterosexual person and a gay person to be acceptable,” Drill hit back.

https://twitter.com/PippinDrill/status/1265596567245017092

“This is apparently easier than a dating website allowing you to choose more than one gender.”

Match’s wonky suggestion and ginger response to making the service more inclusive drew intense criticism online, with users accusing Match of effectively asking bisexuals to “pick a side” and for erasing non-binary users.

• Dec 01 2023

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