Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Tinder’s CEO says the company is working to make the dating service better for transgender users

Currently, users can only identify themselves and their dating interests as either male or female.

Asa Mathat

Tinder CEO Sean Rad said Thursday he is working to make the dating service more useful to those whose gender is more complex than just male or female.

At the moment, users are limited to expressing themselves (and people they are interested in dating) as male or female. That, Rad said, makes it tough for transgender people.

“For a long time we haven’t done enough to give them a good experience,” Rad said, speaking at the Code Conference. “It’s harder for them to get what they are looking for. We have to modify our experience to address that.”

In about a month or two, Rad said, the company will add enhancements to its interface to expand the available options.

“It’s not only good for the Tinder community, but it’s the right thing to do for the world.”

Other social networks, including Facebook, have also been challenged to better address the needs of transgender users, including both providing additional gender options as well as acknowledging the fact that transgender people often go by names and genders that don’t match their legal documents.

Our signature events sell out quickly. Sign up for our mailing list.

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

See More:

More in Technology

Politics
The Supreme Court will decide when the police can use your phone to track youThe Supreme Court will decide when the police can use your phone to track you
Politics

Chatrie v. United States asks what limits the Constitution places on the surveillance state in an age of cellphones.

By Ian Millhiser
Future Perfect
The simple question that could change your careerThe simple question that could change your career
Future Perfect

Making a difference in the world doesn’t require changing your job.

By Bryan Walsh
Technology
The case for AI realismThe case for AI realism
Technology

AI isn’t going to be the end of the world — no matter what this documentary sometimes argues.

By Shayna Korol
Politics
OpenAI’s oddly socialist, wildly hypocritical new economic agendaOpenAI’s oddly socialist, wildly hypocritical new economic agenda
Politics

The AI company released a set of highly progressive policy ideas. There’s just one small problem.

By Eric Levitz
Future Perfect
Human bodies aren’t ready to travel to Mars. Space medicine can help.Human bodies aren’t ready to travel to Mars. Space medicine can help.
Future Perfect

Protecting astronauts in space — and maybe even Mars — will help transform health on Earth.

By Shayna Korol
Podcasts
The importance of space toilets, explainedThe importance of space toilets, explained
Podcast
Podcasts

Houston, we have a plumbing problem.

By Peter Balonon-Rosen and Sean Rameswaram