New trans dating app 'Transdr' faces backlash for transphobic language

"You are a site made by chasers and you use super transphobic language in your own promos. This is gross."

Transdr

Source: transdr

Pegged as an inclusive alternative to Tinder, a new dating app for trans people is getting attention for all the wrong reasons - causing a stir after reportedly listing itself as an .

"Despite the fact that Tinder has added gender options for trans people, they are still experiencing discrimination on it," a press release for the Canada-based app, sent out yesterday, read.
Co-founder Sean Kennedy, who is not transgender himself, added: "Life has been so hard for trans people because they have to overcome the social stigma of being transgender. When it comes to dating, it's even harder for them."

He continued: "They need a comfortable place to meet and date with other trans people without judgement. So we created Transdr - a Tinder alternative for the trans community."
Citing the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) and subsequent , Kennedy said that members of the transgender community needed a new platform.

"The closure of Hungangels' forum, Craigslist personals, and Backpage has forced trans people to find alternative places," said Sean Kennedy.
transdr
Source: transdr
In what could be interpreted as a contradiction to his Craigslist comments, Kennedy added: "Transdr is a new place for trans people who are looking for serious relationships."

"We also fight against sex trafficking and we encourage our users to report any suspicious activities related to sex trafficking."
Having initially claimed that Transdr was for trans people and their “admirers,” the app soon bowed to criticism and clarified its position, saying that some information in the app's description had been published "in a rush".

“We published Transdr in a rush because Craigslist personals was closed,” a .
They continued: “There are many imperfect places on the official site and the app. It’s a mistake."

"In the end, we decided that Transdr is only for trans people. We will remove ‘and their admirers'.”

For those impacted by Craigslist closing its Personals Section, sex worker Melissa Mariposa created which aims to give all sex workers a “judgment-free alternative to web hosting”.


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2 min read
Published 26 April 2018 11:59am
By Samuel Leighton-Dore


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