Bumble Announces Improvements to App for Non-Binary Users
Contributed by: kellyseal on Saturday, July 30 2022 @ 07:18 am
Last modified on Saturday, July 30 2022 @ 07:40 am
In response to recent criticisms from its non-binary users, Bumble has announced changes to its app to create a better, more inclusive experience.
According to NBC News[*1] , Bumble has now updated its gender preference options to include non-binary as its own category for dating profiles. When a user chooses, they are prompted to “add more.” For example, a user identifying as a woman can choose from trans, intersex woman, transfeminine and cis woman, among others. Men can choose from intersex man, trans man, transmasculine, etc. If a user doesn’t identify with any descriptor on the list, they can add their own. Nonbinary users can choose from numerous descriptors, including bigender, genderfluid, gender questioning, and pangender among others.
Prior to this change, Bumble tested a pilot feature where users could choose non-binary as an option for gender preference, but this option was listed under the “male” and female” gender options, one of which had to be selected first.
According to Mashable[*2] , because the previous design, non-binary users said that they were not allowed to message matches first because Bumble reserved that feature exclusively for its female users. In fact, even when some users changed their identities to “nonbinary woman” they were still prevented from messaging people who identified as female unless the woman sent the first message, according to NBC News. Instead, they received a message that said: “Women make the first move.”
Bumble has since corrected the problem, and now for non-binary app users, either one can make the first move.
“We were founded with the intention of empowering women, and we want to create an inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves. As part of that mission, it’s important that we continue to update our platform to help create an inclusive community where everyone can feel comfortable,” said Whitney Wolfe Herd, Founder and CEO of Bumble Inc.
Some nonbinary users felt that Bumble’s focus on female empowerment was still outdated and didn’t account for their gender non-conforming users.
Bumble is also allowing people to change their gender identities, as well as show or hide their identities on their profiles. “Once you pick what best describes you, you’ll be prompted to select whether or not you want to show your gender on your profile. This is totally up to you and what you’re comfortable with, and can be toggled on and off whenever you’d like,” the company said in its announcement about the changes.
Users are also given a preference as to which gender identities they would like to be matched with, which can be done through filters.
For more on this dating service you can check out our Bumble review.