The world is not always friendly towards transgender individuals looking for love and companionship on dating apps. While there have been some improvements in the inclusivity of dating apps, such as introducing multiple gender options, there is still a long way to go. Additionally, many trans-specific dating apps often cater to cisgender individuals who fetishize having a trans partner, making it difficult for transgender individuals to feel respected.
In order to help cisgender individuals converse with trans people respectfully on dating apps, there are several tips to follow. Firstly, it is important to avoid treating trans people as a novelty or fetish, rather than seeing them as individuals. Wanting to date a trans person is not wrong, but fetishizing them for their identity is.
Secondly, it is important to avoid treating trans people as walking encyclopedias. Cisgender people should not message or swipe right on a trans person solely to ask them invasive personal questions about their transition, as this can be exhausting and disrespectful.
Thirdly, it is important to not treat interest in a relationship with a trans person as allyship. While being interested in dating a trans person is not inherently transphobic, it does not absolve cisgender individuals of their responsibility to be allies and to continue learning about trans issues.
Lastly, it is important to remember that trans people are individuals with their own unique personalities, interests, and hobbies. As with any other person, it is important to treat them as such, rather than making assumptions based on their trans identity.
By following these tips, cisgender individuals can help make the dating app landscape more inclusive and respectful towards transgender individuals.