Bumble, the app that started a movement by putting women in charge when dating, has been taking steps to improve the experience of its nonbinary users within the app, showing its commitment to creating an inclusive and kind environment where people of all genders can connect authentically. This Pride Month, Bumble has partnered with Metro Manila Pride to raise the importance of creating kinder and safer spaces for the LGBTQ+ community.
In recent years, online dating has become essential to the LGBTQ+ community’s pursuit of love, companionship, and support. Ahead of Metro Manila Pride March and Festival on June 24th, Bumble and Metro Manila Pride held their first joint Pride virtual event, #SEATED: Conversations around creating Kinder, Safer, and Stronger online spaces for the LGBTQ+ community together with a diverse panel of LGBTQ+ advocates from all walks of life. The event sparked discussions around what it means to date with kindness in mind, safety in online dating, and ways for allies to continue to foster connections built on mutual respect.
With Filipino LGBTQ+ members and allies embracing the spirit of Pride, the esteemed panel highlighted key takeaways that aimed at fostering inclusive online dating:
- Rica Salomon, a trans woman, and an LGBTQ+ advocate shared her personal experience in online dating. “One of the things that I learned from (online) dating in general -he number one thing talaga was safety. It’s very important to prioritize your safety because the reality of trans women dating is scary.” However, she also added that it’s important for trans people to appreciate their own beauty, and to not feel pressured to hide parts of yourself to just be accepted. “When you learn to know your worth, embrace yourself and your own truth, you get to meet quality (connections). Each experience, good or bad, is always a chance for us to learn and grow… Go date, fall in love, get heartbroken, and do it all over again,” she added.
- Fats Santos Roxas, Metro Manila Pride Organization Representative, provided a new perspective to everyone who wants to be a better ally for their LGBTQ+ friends when it comes to dating. “When your queer friend is dating and you’re part of the straight community, you need to make sure that this doesn’t become your main character moment – it’s theirs… Be your friends’ support system by listening, and not assuming things work the same way. “ When talking about advocating for the queer community this Pride month, she added that “For our allies, it’s all about understanding, communicating, and making sure that you take the lead from your queer friend. Never ever make decisions for them by yourself.”
- Bumble APAC Communications Director, Lucille McCart, shared the team’s commitment in making the dating app more inclusive, “At Bumble, we really believe that everyone, no matter their orientation and gender, deserves to have healthy and equitable relationships, no matter what that looks like… A really important part of acknowledging our community who we love so much is about making sure that they can have a choice on whether they want to make the first move or not. So now on Bumble, if you match with a non-binary person, anyone can make the first move so that’s a really important part of making sure our product stays up to date for the needs of the community,” she said.
- Ging Cristobal, an LGBTQ+ Rights Activist, emphasized how the allies can create safer spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. “I tell my friends, my allies, to learn, relearn, and unlearn because patronizing would taste bitter at the end because you don’t know when they will have your back. So for me, it’s really two golden rules: do not assume and you can ask me respectfully. The LGBTIAQ+ Community is more diverse than the rainbow.”
“Beyond celebration, Pride is a continuous movement for the community and allies alike to work toward a future that recognizes and respects the rights of LGBTQIA+ Filipinos. This includes both online and offline spaces, which is why as part of the community and as a long-time volunteer of the organization, Metro Manila Pride and I appreciate companies like Bumble, who genuinely reach out to us as allies to help in amplifying the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community so we can be better heard. ,” said Fats Santos Roxas, one of the leads of Metro Manila Pride, “We hope that through this virtual event, we are able to kickstart the process of making online spaces a safer and kinder environment for all Filipinos.”
An Inclusive and Welcoming Space
To help the Filipino LGBTQ+ community embrace their authentic selves, Bumble enhanced the member experience for matches with nonbinary people where either person can make the first move on Bumble Date. Women will continue to make the first move in matches with men and, in matches between people of the same gender, either person can make the first move. In 2022, Bumble also introduced an expanded selection of gender options to better provide a space that allows everyone across the gender spectrum to feel safe and seen. Allies, regardless of gender, may also declare their support for the community through Bumble’s LGBTQ+ Rights badge.
“We believe that kindness is the foundation of building authentic and meaningful connections, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. This Pride Month, Bumble aims to contribute to a more inclusive and positive landscape for LGBTQ+ people pursuing love and connection, and we are honored to partner with Metro Manila Pride to bring to life important conversations around Allyship, even if they may feel difficult, unfamiliar, or uncomfortable,” Bumble APAC Communications Director, Lucille McCart said. “By showcasing and promoting the power of kindness when it comes to online dating, we hope to create a ripple effect of compassion and kindness in communities extending far beyond our platform.”
The full panel discussion can be found on MMPride’s Facebook page.
LGBTQ+ Allyship at Bumble, for Pride Month, and Year-Round
Bumble Inc., the parent company of Bumble, Badoo, Fruitz, and Official, is committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community during Pride month and beyond. As part of its corporate allyship efforts, Bumble Inc. has partnered with the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in the United States, to advance its mission of ending discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and promoting fairness and equality for all. Throughout the year, Bumble Inc. will also partner with region-specific organizations throughout the world that are dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in their communities.
Bumble has previously supported organizations that do important work for LGBTQ+ communities, including Trans Lifeline, Equality Texas, My Sistah’s House, and others. Bumble takes a strong stance against hate speech, transphobic language and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. In addition, last year Bumble introduced an identity-based hate policy, which prohibits content or behavior that promotes hatred and contempt against marginalized or underrepresented groups with protected attributes. Engaging in identity-based hate, including making a false report, may result in content being removed, an account receiving a warning, or being banned from the app.
To learn more about Bumble Inc.’s allyship efforts and the organizations we will partner with throughout the year, please visit our editorial hub The Buzz for more details.
About Bumble app: Bumble, the women-first dating and social networking app, was founded by CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014. Bumble connects people across dating (Bumble Date), friendship (Bumble BFF) and professional networking (Bumble Bizz). No matter the type of relationship, women make the first move on Bumble. Bumble is built on the importance of equitable relationships and how crucial they are to a healthy, happy life. They’ve built their platform around kindness, respect, and equality – and their community plays an important part in that. Bumble holds its users accountable for their actions and does not allow any form of hate, aggression, or bullying. Bumble is free to download and widely available in the App Store and Google Play.
About Metro Manila Pride Organization: Metro Manila Pride (MMPride) is a volunteer-managed, non-partisan, and not-for-profit organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as Metro Manila LGBTQ+ Pride, Inc. Metro Manila Pride educates, equips, and empowers the LGBTQIA+ Filipino and their communities to work toward a future that recognizes and respects the rights of LGBTQIA+ persons to a dignified life without discrimination and prejudice.
*Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and other gender minorities
