By Eric
DudesNude stands in solidarity with all those affected by injustice, inequality, bigotry, violence, and systemic racism. We specifically stand with our black members, friends, colleagues, neighbours, and fellow humans, at a time when once again they are faced with the reality of deep injustice. We understand the importance and value of allies, and we are ready to stand as allies to them, to listen, learn, and actively help their voices be heard.
Today, we share their pain and amplify their pleas. Tomorrow, we will continue to create opportunity, open doors, change hearts and minds, and influence our world to be a little more fair, just, and honest.
We will continue to fight racism on the site, and maintain a zero-tolerance policy for racism and hate speech.
As part of this, and as a result of direct feedback from dudesnude members (both people of color and white members), as well as discussion with advisors and among the team, we have removed the “ethnicity” (race) search option from the site. (Grindr and Scruff have already announced they are doing the same, and Planet Romeo has said they are having an “internal debate.”)
You may still indicate your race on your profile, if you wish, but it’s completely optional and up to each member.
If you don’t understand why this feature is being removed, I STRONGLY encourage you to read this excellent Guardian article. Here’s one quote from it: “Racism has long been a problem on Grindr: [research] found 96% of users had viewed at least one profile that included some sort of racial discrimination, and more than half believed they’d been victims of racism. More than one in eight admitted they included text on their profile indicating they themselves discriminated on the basis of race.” Additionally, research from Cornell University found that dating apps that allow users to filter their searches by race, or rely on algorithms that pair people of the same race, “reinforce racial divisions and biases.”