Cupid Has a New Arrow: How OkCupid has Become a Platform for Pro-Choicers

Swipe left, swipe right—in a society in which people interact digitally, we find that dating apps are the best way to meet people. No matter if you’re looking to settle down, looking for a hookup, or maybe even multiple people for a hookup; OkCupid has got your back.

So, what is OkCupid? You've probably heard of Tinder, Grindr, or Hinge but what makes this app different? The US-based dating app launched in 2004 and now has 1.79 million users worldwide according to Statista.

As a dating app, they have been known for their inclusive approach to dating. People of all genders and sexual preferences are welcome to participate in any form of a consensual relationship aggregated by their app.

Like most dating apps, OkCupid has options to enter in your political preferences to avoid awkward first dates, where your opinion on political issues may come up.

However, one political view is encouraged by the app—Pro-Choice. In an intense political climate surrounding abortion laws and women’s rights, this app has taken a stand to preserve these rights and programs that aid in Pro-Choice support like Planned Parenthood through a series of Campaigns. And it all started with OkCupid’s values of supporting Every Single Person.

Every single person is welcome

In recent months, the company has garnered media attention from Twitter to news sites for their provocative ads that were splashed on NYC subways and streets. You might've seen these ads on your morning commute.

OkCupid’s "Every Single Person” campaign launched in August 202l and includes different takes on dating than what we normally see from dating ads, including LGBTQIA+ representation.

OkCupid has not only supported the Queer community but also shows support for getting vaccinated and caring for our planet—in a very interesting way to say the least.

Source: OkCupid, Graphic by Kally Compton

While some people seem to love these ads as they support a variety of identities and make for a safe space for queer folk, some people found the ads to be inappropriate and suggested that they are sexual propaganda.

No matter how controversial, their ads may seem, OkCupid continues to come back with a push for inclusivity through taking action and promoting its users to set up boundaries against harmful beliefs.

Source: OkCupid

Every Single Pro-Choicer is Welcome too

OkCupid has been no stranger to Pro-Choice activism. In 2017, the dating app partnered with Planned Parenthood and has since developed a Pro-Choice campaign to help spread awareness of programs that help provide care and resources to people in need of abortions and other Birth control/sexual health needs.

OkCupid is the first app to add a badge that indicates if, you as a user, are Pro-Choice or not. Just like any other dating app questionnaire OkCupid users can answer the question when creating their profile.

Since the launch just a few months ago, after the Senate 8 bill was passed, more and more users have added the badge to their profile.

Along with this new feature, the company will donate $1 to Planned Parenthood for every user who adds the badge to their profile as mentioned on their blog page.

“The question's response [the badge] rate grew over 10% and nearly 400k users (over half of which were male) had the badge, generating more user activity,” according to Shorty Awards “and reaching a new demographic for Planned Parenthood awareness.”

Creating this new demographic of supporters, in turn, can help preserve the 600 Planned Parenthood centers across the nation, and help with voting in local elections for leaders that will work against bills like the Senate 8 Bill that passed last summer.

Continuous Attacks on Reproductive rights

A few days after the anniversary of Roe V. Wade on January 2022, OkCupid posted a new image as part of their Every Single Person Campaign. The caption reads, “Restricting access to reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health, independence, and economic stability of our communities. No matter what, we will continue to champion access for all.”

Currently, all over the country, reproductive rights are under attack, and without the support of Planned Parenthood, many young people may not have the care they need.

In Kentucky, parental approval is required for people under 18 years old. This is common in many states, however, the HB 3 bill is currently awaiting approval in this state. This bill will remove the loophole of judicial review which allows the minor to access aid without parents’ knowledge according to ABC 36 News.

“Under the provisions of HB 3, attempts must be made to contact both parents,” says ABC reporter Steve Rogers, “whereas existing state law only requires the approval of one legal guardian.” This means minors will be denied the right to confidentiality from their parents.

Every day, reproductive rights are under attack and many companies decide to ignore taking a stance on this issue. Yet, OkCupid has used its inclusive dating app to be a platform to help bring awareness to these issues and build a community that supports giving people a choice.

“It’s ok to not date a man who wouldn’t vote for a woman”

Later this month, you will see a new round of ads popping up in subways alongside their Pro-Choice ad that has been up for the last few weeks. These ads specifically call out those who may be pro-life and encourage OkCupid users to set up boundaries for people who have different political views, especially people who may against Pro-Choice.

One of the new ads reads, "it's ok to not date a man who wouldn’t vote for a woman.” While the dating app has shown support for all people, it also has integrity in preserving woman’s rights by trying to normalize having boundaries for people with anti-feminist opinions, such as men who may be Pro-Life or would not vote for a woman.

OkCupid even notes on their blog, that all people with Pro-Choice in their profile are nearly 2X more likely to get a reply than those who don't. So this begs the question isn’t it attractive to support Pro-Choice-based reproductive rights? Many people in the dating pool of the inclusive app seem to think so.

Whatever your view is on the ongoing issue of reproductive rights in this country, OkCupid welcomes you, but maybe not with open arms if you’re a Pro-Lifer.

OkCupid has continued to fight for the rights of the disenfranchised and take a stand where other dating apps haven't. In the coming weeks, we shall see how the app can continue to create change for reproductive rights and continue to support every single person—that supports choice.