Are You Sure There’s No Homophobia Where You’re Traveling?
Meg Butler July 26, 2019
Are you sure you know where it’s safe to be out?
Tinder wants its users to be doubly sure they know what’s going on with local laws when they’re traveling abroad. Open the app in a travel location with laws that discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community and you’ll receive a Travel Alert that says, “Based on your geographical location, it appears you’re in a place where the LGBTQ community may be penalized. We want you to have fun, but your safety is our #1 priority. Please proceed with caution and take extra care when making new matches and meeting with people you do not know.”
If you see the alert, you’ll have the option to hide your profile in that location. If you do keep using the app, Tinder will hide your sexual orientation and gender identity until you leave the reason.
Maybe the most headline-grabbing part of this news is the number of countries on Tinder’s list. Based on data from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) Tinder has identified 69 countries around the world that criminalize same sex love, don’t protect against discrimination (or criminalize it), or refuse to recognize same sex marriage and adoption. The list also includes nine countries that may seek the death penalty for LGBTQ relationships.
[Shutterstock/zjuzjaka]
There is a subtle bias out there, female lesbian relationships are more tolerated than male homosexual relationships in many countries.
Grindr has done the same thing too for a while.