Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps

Published: June 3, 2021
Updated: July 6, 2022
hands of different skin tones showing LGBTQ+ pride signs

With 270 million dating app users worldwide in 2020 according to the Business of Apps site, it’s clear to see that online dating has made a significant impact on how people might meet their significant other. With that many users, there is a large diversity of people with different ethnicities, beliefs, gender identity, and sexual orientation. 

For transgender people and other members of the LGBTQ+ community, there is a concern about being able to properly show their authentic self on their profiles.

If a dating app doesn’t have an inclusive selection of gender identity options, it can make it difficult and even impossible for a trans person to show their identity to potential matches before they are able to chat and make a proper connection. 

In this article, we will share our recommendations for the most inclusive dating apps and explain what makes each of them not only LGBTQ+ friendly, but also unique in their own way.

Before dating someone queer, you probably want to know more about the different terms and their defintions regarding gender identity – We’ve got you covered!

gender identity words

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Our recommendations for LGBTQ Dating Sites and Apps

These are our top picks for LGBTQ dating sites and apps. Check them out today!

Most Popular Choice
Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps
9.9
  • Millions of people trust in eharmony
  • Very supportive of the LGBTQI+ community
  • Matching algorithm proven to work
Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps
9.6
  • Advance search tools
  • Connect with your perfect match
  • No hidden charges
  • Prompt reply
Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps
9.3
  • Easy interface
  • Discreet
  • Genuine users
Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps
9.1
Meet and hook-up with neighbors. Search and view specific profiles in your area. Male profiles needed.
  • Free and easy registration.
  • Largest verified database in the US.
  • Thousands sign up every day.
  • Male profiles needed.
  • Guaranteed matches.
Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps
8.7
Dating.com believes that dating isn’t about data, algorithms, how many friends you have in common, or whether you want a boy or a girl or no kids at all. Dating.com believes that dating is a chance — a chance to meet someone new, a chance for them to introduce you to people, places and things that you never knew that you’d love.  
  • 100 million active users
  • 100% verified accounts
  • Right now 60% of sales for Monthly plan
  • Easy start with the "Let's Mingle" feature
 
Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps
8.4
Meet Kinksters is an open-minded dating app where you can match based on romance and compatibility in the bedroom. Join our community of like-minded singles who know what they need, both in and out of the bedroom.
  • Match based on both taste and romantic compatibility
  • Stop wasting time on vanilla dating sites
  • No swiping here: Find who and what you're looking for
  • Show your face only when you're ready
  • Be yourself with dozens of genders and kink identities
Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps
8.1
  • Covers the entire United States, offering a vast pool of singles from diverse backgrounds and regions.
  • User-friendly interface that simplifies the process of finding matches and sending messages.
  • Sophisticated algorithms to ensure users are matched with those who share similar interests and values.
Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps
7.6
  • Receive curated matches in just 15 minutes
  • Send and receive pictures in private chats
  • A high-security chat with two-factor authentication
Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps
7.2
Christian Filipina is perfect for people who are looking for a serious relationship.
  • 24 hrs customer service
  • One on one Romance Consultations.
  • 100% real users.
Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps
6.8
  • Large database of verified & attractive Asian and European singles
  • Efficient communication and instant messaging 
  • Top-level safety and professional support
 
Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps
6.4
  • Global Community, Local Flavor: Connect with a diverse community of singles in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand for a rich and varied dating experience.
  • Advanced Matching Algorithms: Benefit from cutting-edge algorithms that analyze your preferences, ensuring more accurate and compatible matches.
  • Security and Privacy Assurance: Your privacy is our priority. Seeking employs robust security measures to create a safe environment for genuine connections.
Sexuality & Gender Options on Dating Apps
6.2
  • Meet real asian, european, and latino singles
  • Real-time communication with efficient tools
  • Professional dating services

Most inclusive dating apps for transgender and non-binary people

If you’re looking for the apps with the best identity options for transgender and non-binary people, check out our recommended list below.

If you’re in a trans-cis relationship, here’s how to make it work and how to overcome possible challenges.

All of these dating apps are available for iOS and Android, and all but Hinge is also available on desktop. 

group of people demonstrating for lgbt equality

Tinder gender identity options

Tinder has had their More Genders feature since July 2020 and had first tested it in parts of Europe in 2017 and in Australia in 2018. Tinder claims that they have worked with organizations such as GLAAD to help provide an inclusive atmosphere for trans people. 

As already mentioned, this feature allows users to type in their own gender identity without being restricted to a list that is provided by the app

Users also have the option to be shown in searches that best reflect their gender identity as well as choose to display their identity on their profile.

Bumble gender and sexuality options

Bumble’s gender identity options function very similar to Tinder’s, where you have the ability to type in your own identity. Bumble also has an extensive list of genders to choose from that include genderqueer and two spirit. 

However, there is no option to choose a sexuality label to display on your profile. The only option available is whether you would like to be shown to users looking for men or women, which is not as inclusive as other dating apps

Bumble was created with a messaging system where a person identifying as a woman can message their match first, which may be why they aren’t as inclusive as other apps. 

Transgender symbols on Bumble

If you identify as transgender and choose to display it on your Bumble profile, there will be a tag with the corresponding symbol added among other tags such as your height or astrological sign

This feature can be useful for people that are comfortable with being more open about their gender identity and are looking to make it more visible to potential matches. Because the symbol is included next to other notable information about you, it will be difficult to miss if another user decides to take a look at your profile.

Wonder which one of the two most popular dating apps is better? Check out our article Bumble vs. Tinder for a definite answer!

OkCupid gender identity options

OkCupid is one of the dating apps that doesn’t have an option to write your own gender identity, so what are the options that it provides? 

This is a list of their 22 genders:

Here is also a list of the 12 sexual orientation options:

At a glance, the gender and sexuality options on OkCupid are rather inclusive, but with the inability to type your own identity in, it may be excluding other people that are not included in both lists.

Screenshot of OkCupid's Gender Identity Options

Hinge gender identity options

On Hinge, you have the ability to type in your own gender identity, but it also suggests genders as you begin to type in a word. For example, if you type in ‘trans’, some suggestions that appear include; trans man, trans woman, trans person, and transfeminine. 

If you simply click on the ‘how you identify’ line without typing anything, Hinge offers more suggestions such as; third gender, non-binary, intersex, and genderqueer.

Beyond the gender options, you also are able to choose if you would like to be visible to people looking for a man or woman. Unfortunately, this feature is lacking in inclusiveness like Bumble, but hopefully it can be updated to be more inclusive in the future. 

Facebook’s dating app

It may be unexpected that a social media site makes its own dating app, but Facebook has done exactly that. Although you of course need a Facebook account to join their dating app, Facebook says that your dating profile will not appear on your main account. 

Despite the claim that your dating profile is separate, there is no separate Facebook dating app. It’s already part of the original Facebook app and simply exists as a feature to opt in to. This fact raised concerns in Europe and delayed the launch of the dating feature to take a closer look at the security behind it.

Facebook Dating is already part of Facebook which makes creating a profile very simple as it can fill your profile with information that you have already provided on your main account. Besides it pre-filling your information, it seems you also have the option to update or change it to your liking.

hands showing LGBTQIA letters

Some other features of Facebook Dating include:

The notable pros of Facebook Dating include the fact it is one of the lgbt dating services that’s completely free to use, and it’s easy to build a profile when it pulls information from your main Facebook account.

Of course, no app or feature is perfect. The cons of Facebook dating include not providing a desktop version and the obvious requirement of needing a Facebook account to use the service.

There are many different dating apps to choose from and everyone should choose whatever app feels best for them. With our descriptions of some of the most popular apps, we hope that it has given you insight on what dating app you would like to try.

It’s always up to you to make the best decision for yourself and do things in whatever way you feel the most comfortable.

FAQ about Gender Options for online dating

Many daters in the LGBTQ community may feel a bit out of the loop when it comes to online dating services that don’t offer a particularly robust range of options for gender when you sign up. 

To help you make the best of the situation, or at least find alternatives, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about gender options online. 

What should I do when hookup dating sites don’t offer many gender options?

Whether you’re trans, bi, or one of many queer people who have tried using hookup dating services to find a one night stand, you may feel that cisgender people have an overwhelming presence. When that happens, gender options may be limited. 
You can either try to work in your own gender and preferences into your profile, so that it is front and center for people who match with you, or you can look for an alternative hookup app. 
The first option does require a bit more work filtering out matches, but can offer more matchmaking opportunities altogether. The latter is also a fine option, although you may be joining a service with fewer members overall. 

What are the best dating apps for LGBTQ+ users? 

There are a number of LGBTQ dating apps that you can use which either provide you with a wide range of gender options, or are specific to a particular gender or orientation. For example, Grindr is one of the top dating apps for gay men on the market. 
Services like Bumble, Tinder, OkCupid and Hinge are all excellent as broader choices for gender options and general inclusivity, and are seeing a boom in service as more young people enjoy these options. 

Are there good dating apps for people in the transgender community?

Yes, services like Translr, MyTransgenderDating, and TransgenderCupid are all reliable services for trans people and offer a decent amount of gender options for you to choose from when you sign up.