Tinder Is More Inclusive Than Ever; Now You Can Choose From More Than 30 Gender Identities

Dating app Tinder has launched a new feature that allows users to add more information about their gender.

The massive update was announced on Tuesday, and has been heralded as an inclusive and progressive move.

Previously, members were only offered two stock-standard options when selecting their identity — man or woman. Now, you can choose among options such as transgender, gender fluid, pangender and neither. There are 37 options, total.

The decision to roll out new ways for users to identify themselves comes in light of reports that transgender people were being persistently harassed, according to the New York Times.

Sean Rad, the chief executive of Tinder, said the abuse took two main forms.

Firstly, transgender users were being verbally attacked by people they matched with. Secondly, transgender users were being reported by other members. All the abuse reports meant that transgender people would often be barred from using the app.

"Our goal is to provide a product that gives our transgender and gender non-conforming users a better experience on Tinder," Mr Rad said in a recent statement.

In an effort to prevent bullying, Tinder has also implemented changes to moderation and reporting tools.

The update will mean anyone who reports another user on the basis of their gender will actually be the one to get in trouble—not the person they have reported.

#alltypesallswipes is another leap towards acceptance for the transgender & the rest of the lgbtq+ community, thank you.

— BLACK LIVES MATTER (@BethanieDuffell) November 15, 2016

CNET reports Tinder worked closely with advocates during the developmental phase of the update, many of which had long urged the company to make the app easier for transgender people to use.

"For many trans people, opening up to a new romantic prospect about being trans can be a really nerve-wracking experience," said trans advocate Andrew James.

"I know this update will help trans and gender non-conforming users feel more comfortable while forging new relationships."

Photo: iStock, Tinder, Giphy, Instagram (@blackaphillyated)