Just what are online dating apps, and why are they so popular? In brief, they are a major dating trend that lets singles meet and get to know others in a digital space before spending time, energy, and money on real-life dates. It’s all part of current consumer demand for efficiency in all of their life activities.
Now, what are inclusive dating apps? These are apps that support the following:
- Many gender identities and sexualities (e.g., gay, lesbian, transgender)
- Have built in safety and security protocols for identity verification
- Have no tolerance for bullying, harassment, or judgment
- Have many options for users to express their lifestyle choices and preferences for dating partners
- Methods for their users to connect both locally and globally with others in a fully accepting environment where everyone feels safe and comfortable being who they are and seeking the relationships they want
Inclusive online dating apps are more attractive to the trans community because of all of the above, but also some other factors. In trans-specific apps, the dating pool is much smaller, and the chances of finding someone with the same preferences are greatly reduced. Trans-specific apps also tend to be riskier, and in today’s political climate, it’s important to be safe rather than set yourself up to be a victim.
It’s obvious, then, exactly why transgender individuals (those who deny their assigned genders at birth) are much more comfortable using inclusive dating apps.
With this in mind, it would be prudent to name and describe some inclusive online dating apps that support the trans population.
HER
Here is an inclusive dating app specifically designed by a lesbian woman for women of all gender identities and sexual orientations. That includes the trans female population, of course.
Since its launch in 2013, it has grown to 15 million members, many of whom are trans females who reside in the US. The dating pool is thus pretty large.
One of the benefits of the inclusivity of HER is that it has a wealth of discussion groups and forums in which trans women can receive support from other queer women who willingly embrace them, respect them, and make them aware that they have the right to be who they are and to have the relationships they choose.
Grindr
Grindr can perhaps be seen as the trans male equivalent of HER, although it is a massive app with over 100 million members around the globe.
Grindr is location-based, meaning men can connect with others in their area for a variety of relationship goals and networking. One unique feature is that it uses a member’s phone GPS to show others who are nearby and active at the time. The app also highlights local events and spots where queer men, including trans men, can safely gather.
Another unique feature is its tribes, social groupings that gay men can join for networking and sharing. This helps them find others like themselves who will also have the same relationship goals.
Taimi
Taimi is another major dating app for the LGBTQ+ community, with most members in the US. Since its inception in 2017, it has been a great dating app for trans people.
Because of its large membership, the dating pool for trans men and women is also quite large.
The app uses a sophisticated in-house algorithm to match like-minded members based on gender identity and sexual orientation. It also uses AI to keep refining those matches.
Taimi operates its own mini social media platform in the form of groups to join. Thus, trans men and women have the opportunity to participate in discussions and share advice, challenges, and life experiences.
Relative to safety, Taimi has an optional identity verification process. Trans members should opt for this and only connect with other trans members who also do.
OKCupid
This app launched in 2004 and decided to include the LGBTQ+ population in 2014, including trans men and women. Today, it has over 50 million members, so the dating pool for trans men and women is quite large.
Identity verification is optional and pretty involved, but users are urged to opt for it and to connect with others who have as well.
The app has many personality questions, and newcomers must answer at least 3 to join. Most answer far more than that. It then matches members based on their responses, along with a compatibility score. They are then free to accept or reject those presentations.
The site has strict standards of conduct and violators receive stiff consequences.
OKCupid does not have social groups or forums. Instead, it has a blog called OK Trends and urges its members to read the posts and participate in the discussions that follow each one.
Fiorry
The title of this article speaks to the benefits of inclusive apps to the trans population. But Fiorry is an exception: a transgender-specific dating app that provides a safe environment for this community.
Fiorry was launched in 2020 and continues to grow at a rapid rate, because it is a secure and safe place for trans men and women to connect for all types of relationships.
There is a mandatory identity verification protocol in place before anyone is admitted.
An algorithm presents matches based on common interests and relationship goals of any type. Members are then free to accept or reject. If two members accept, they can begin to communicate, using a host of tools available to free users.
One unique feature is the T4T, a space for members to connect with each other based on interests, life experiences, expectations, and dating advice.
The Dating App World is Alive, Well, and Thriving
Despite predictions of its gradual demise after the pandemic isolation, nothing of the sort has happened. At least one-third of Americans have at least accessed and tried an online dating app. Online dating is thriving and certainly here to stay.
