Grindr announces ‘kindr’ version to be released in September 2018
Gay and trans dating app Grindr has hinted at a new version of the app which will tackle the racism and bullying on the platform.
The dating site tweeted a cryptic video with a voiceover discussing racism, which says: “When someone says something like I don’t date black people, that’s all black people, that’s what I refer to as sexual racism.”
It also tweeted a link to a website called kindr.grindr.com, which currently only has the voiceover and the tagline: “It’s time to play nice.”
The site’s vague announcement, which says is launching in September 2018, comes just days after model and activist Munroe Bergdorf called on the company to address hate speech.
“Grindr has the resources and potential to become something positive and inclusive for the LGBTQ community in the future,” Bergdorf wrote in a recent Instagram post. “I just hope they make the necessary changes to do so.”
The 30-year-old also shared screenshots on Twitter and Instagram stories of conversations of her fans using the platform, which showed the abuse they were facing for being black.
“R u white,” one screenshot said, “no cotton pickers,” said another.
In a later post Bergdorf revealed she was meeting with Grindr’s head of communications, Landen Zumwalt, and chief content officer Zach Stafford to discuss the app’s efforts in eradicating racism on the app.
Zumwalt told PinkNews the meeting is due to take place next week.
Munroe Bergdorf”This is an initiative I have been leading, alongside our chief content officer Zach Stafford, since I joined Grindr this past June. I came to Grindr because I knew we could and should be doing more to protect our users and positively impact the greater LGBTQ+ community,” Zumwalt said in his emailed statement.
“We are looking forward to our meeting with Munroe Bergdorf next week to speak with her at length about the details of this planned campaign, including specific in-app changes we intend to implement, to help make Grindr a kinder, more inclusive platform for our users,” he added.
Users of the app responded to Grindr’s tweet about a kinder experience with mixed, but mainly positive reactions.
“The anticipation builds. Interested in seeing what will become of this. Given the sizable role the app has within the community, stepping up to address some of the systemic community issues is either a bold and brave choice or a foolish one. Here’s hoping the former,” said J. Clarence (@OhMyClarence).
While (@sumosexual) wrote: “I also wonder if it’ll address more than just race. I work with a (proudly) fat guy who showed me his messages, and easily a third of them were unsolicited harassment from strangers telling him how disgusting they think he is.”
This story was updated with comments from Grindr’s head of communications, Landen Zumwalt received after publication.
