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Tinder makes trans-friendly changes to dating app

<p>Tinder just got a whole lot more inclusive. As of Tuesday, users on the dating site have dozens of new <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2016/11/15/tinder-gets-trans-friendly-update-dozens-gender-identity-options/93870512/" target="_blank">gender identity options</a> to choose from.</p><p>That's 37 new options, to be specific. It's pretty significant because prior to this update, Tinder users could only select <a href="http://fortune.com/2016/11/15/tinder-gender-options/" target="_blank">male or female</a>.</p><p><b>SEE MORE: <a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/using-tinder-might-lower-your-self-esteem/">Using Tinder Might Lower Your Self-Esteem</a></b></p><p>Now, Tinder users <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/11/15/tinder-app-transgender-agender-genderqueer/93873790/" target="_blank">can select from options</a> like "trans," "bigender" or "gender questioning" when filling out their profiles.</p><p>Last year, transgender users <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/transgender-tinder-users-reported-and-banned-2015-6" target="_blank">reported getting kicked off</a> of Tinder and said it could have been because of their gender identity.</p><p>Although a Tinder spokesperson <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/transgender-tinder-users-reported-and-banned-2015-6" target="_blank">told Business Insider</a> "each banned account is individually assessed," there were no safeguards at the time that prevented <a href="http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2015/06/05/tinder-allegedly-banning-transgender-users-because-theyre-trans" target="_blank">those alleged bans</a> from repeatedly happening.</p><p>Tinder is certainly not the first tech company to become more inclusive. Facebook added at least 50 <a href="http://techland.time.com/2014/02/13/facebook-gender-identity-zuckerberg/" target="_blank">alternative gender options</a> to its roster in 2014.</p><p>And in an effort <a href="https://blog.twitter.com/2016/progress-on-addressing-online-abuse" target="_blank">to combat online harassment</a>, Twitter just expanded its "mute" feature so users can block certain keywords or phrases from showing up on their notifications.</p><p>Tinder's CEO Sean Rad said the company will continue adding options to its list of gender identities.</p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/zuckerberg-says-it-s-crazy-to-blame-facebook-for-election/">Zuckerberg Says It's 'Crazy' To Blame Facebook For Election Results</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/apple-removes-hundreds-of-fake-apps-from-its-app-store/">Apple's App Store Has A Counterfeit Problem</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/device-texts-farmers-about-cows-health/">Cows Eat This Device, And It Lets Them Text Their Farmer — Sort Of</a></li></ul>
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Looking to become more inclusive, dating app Tinder announced Tuesday that it will soon allow users to identify themselves as transgender.

Previously, Tinder only allowed users to identify as “male” or “female” when setting up a profile. Now, the app will allow users who don’t identify to traditional gender roles to select one of nearly 40 auto-fill selections or type in a custom gender label. Users will be able to search for prospective dates based on their gender identity.

Tinder users will also have the option of displaying their gender identity on their public profiles.

CBS reports that the change comes after a number of trans people reported being harassed on the app, and others reported being blocked and reported by other users.

According to CNN, Tinder worked closely with GLAAD, an LGBT advocacy group while developing the changes.

"Some trans people will only want to go on a date with someone who knows they are trans," Nick Adams of GLAAD told CNN. "But trans people have different strategies for dating and some would prefer to go on a date first and then disclose."

"We are a business, but we are in the business of making sure everyone can meet someone special," Tinder CEO Sean Rad told CNN. "Letting our users be who they are is the right thing. If anyone has a problem with that, then they are welcome to not use Tinder."

Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.