POF’s Updated Privacy Policy
Our privacy policy just got a boost. Here’s what you need to know about the changes… Your love life is your business. We respect the trust you’ve given us because, let’s face it, matters of the heart are private. As professionals in the field of building connections, we, at Plenty of Fish, know that transparency […]
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Our Privacy Policy Just Got a Boost — Here’s What You Need to Know About the Changes
We all know your swipes are your business. We respect the trust you’ve given us because let’s face it, swiping is a private matter. As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and the requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we’ve updated our privacy policy for everyone to understand what information we collect, why we collect it, and how we use it.
Here are a few highlights:
We want to be transparent: behind the scenes, the way we process your data to connect to potential matches remains the same and so will your swiping experience. We’ve clarified our existing policies without the legal jargon to help you understand the choices you have to manage, export, and delete your data.
We make it easy for you to download your personal data anytime on Tinder through the Download my Data tool.
We are global and uniform. Our updated policy addresses the new standards put in place by the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), but we are rolling it out globally. All users deserve to have their data protected and understand how it’s being used.
We will continue to evaluate and enhance our policies in order to give you the best experience possible.
We encourage you to check out our new policy here.
Mental Health Awareness Takes More Than Just One Month
As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, let’s encourage young people — and especially LGBTQ youth — to speak openly and honestly about their mental health. A recent survey of LGBTQ youth by HRC and the University of Connecticut’ reaffirmed that, sadly, mental health disparities between LGBTQ youth and non-LGBTQ youth continue to widen, an alarming trend that we must work together to address.
Today’s LGBTQ youth continue to face a variety of stressors—harassment, family and peer rejection, bullying from their peers, isolation and a lack of a sense of belonging—that have a major impact on their overall well-being. Studies have shown that, compared to their non-LGBTQ peers, LGBTQ youth report much higher rates of depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use, and lowered self-esteem.
Eighty-five percent of thosesurveyed for HRC’s LGBTQ youth report rated their average stress level a ‘5’ or higher on a scale of 10 where ‘10’ was very stressed and ‘1’ was not stressed. This includes 14 percent of respondents who rated their average stress level as a ‘9’ or higher.
Many respondents described feelings of isolation and anxiety about seeking support for their mental health needs:
“In freshman year I spoke to one of my counselors about my depression and anxiety, but I don’t think they’re trained in helping LGBTQ+ kids.”
“The counselors at my school have never said whether we can come to them about LGBTQ subjects or not. So you really don’t know if they are well educated about the LGBTQ community…”
“A stranger, even a school counselor, is very dangerous to LGBTQ+ people and children. They can ruin your entire life, get you kicked out of your home by your parents, or make other teachers treat you awfully and make your school experience miserable. They can even get you killed by outing you without your permission, which they are usually ‘expected’ to do.”
Access to culturally-competent, LGBTQ-affirming mental health providers both within schools and in the broader health care system is essential to the well-being of LGBTQ teens. Every mental health and medical professional can play a role in changing the landscape for LGBTQ youth by reinforcing inclusive, supportive and loving environments in homes, schools and communities.
We must use Mental Health Awareness Month as a catalyst to start having open, honest discussions about mental health with young people, a key step to reducing stigma and empowering them to seek help and support when needed. And we must continue to chip away at the bias, discrimination, and rejection that place LGBTQ youth at high risk of compromised mental health.
If you or someone you know are in need of help or assistance, contact The Trevor Project, which runs phone and text chat support lines specifically for LGBTQ youth.
To read the full results of the 2017 LGBTQ Teen Survey, check out hrc.im/YouthReport.
HRC Joins the Call for Peace Corps to End Dismissals of Volunteers Newly Diagnosed with HIV
HRC has joined Treatment Access Group (TAG) and other HIV advocates and organizations to call on the Peace Corps to revise its policies regarding volunteers who are newly diagnosed with HIV. According to recent media reports, two Peace Corps volunteers were informed that their assignments would be terminated as a result of their recent HIV diagnosis. Worryingly, reports have also emerged of Peace Corps officials denying volunteers’ requests for PrEP, also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, a once-daily pill used to prevent HIV.
“These policies are outdated and harmful to Peace Corps volunteers living with HIV or seeking effective prevention tools,” said Peter Cruz, associate director of HRC’s HIV and Health Equity Program. “We join fellow HIV advocates in asking the Peace Corps to act quickly to modernize their HIV policies and practices.”
Recent advances in HIV treatment and prevention have brought us closer than ever to ending the HIV epidemic. Today, we know that people living with HIV who adhere to antiretroviral therapy and maintain viral suppression have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to their partners. Additionally, the CDC states that the use of PrEP reduces the risk of acquiring HIV from sex by more than 90 percent, and by more than 70 percent among people who inject drugs.
HRC joins TAG and other advocates in urging the Peace Corps to update its HIV and AIDS policies to ensure that they align with current HIV science and information.
To read the sign-on letter to Peace Corps, click here.
For more information on HRC Foundation’s work to end HIV and HIV-related stigma, click here.
The Blueprint to Your Dream Wedding
Planning the perfect wedding can be a daunting task. The average couple in the US has between 12-18 months from the time that they become engaged to the day of their wedding. This may seem like you have ample time, however if you aren’t regularly sticking to a wedding planning checklist, time may sneak up […]
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Join us! HRC Rising
HRC Joins Government and Business Leaders to Promote LGBT Inclusion in Mexico
Today, HRC Foundation hosted an event at the Museum of Memory and Tolerance to honor the museum, government officials and corporate partners for their growing commitment to greater LGBT inclusion. The event also celebrated the museum’s first LGBT-themed exhibit — “LGBT+. Identity, Love and Sexuality”, which includes mention of HRC’s Equidad MX program among important equality efforts that are driving change in Mexico.
The recognition comes at a time of significant progress in LGBT equality and inclusion for the business community in Mexico, aided by HRC Equidad MX: Workplace Equality Program. HRC first international workplace assessment program promotes LGBT-inclusive policies and best practices, evaluating major Mexican businesses and multinationals based on three core pillars of LGBT inclusion:
“I celebrate with great enthusiasm the actions and initiatives by the civil society in recognition of the rights of the LGBT community, particularly those accomplished by ADIL. I also applaud the Museum of Memory and Tolerance’s initiative to create the exhibit ‘LGBT + Identity, Love and Sexuality,’ which generates and raises public awareness about the need to respect diversity, and the understanding of gender identity and sexual orientation,” said Norma Inés Aguilar, Chief of Staff for the Minister of Public Administration.
“Today, Mexico is experiencing greater LGBT inclusion in different areas of society. The museum seeks to honor this social transformation and highlight the importance of having inclusive spaces where everyone is welcomed, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation,” said Linda Atach, Director of Temporary Exhibits at Museum Memory and Tolerance. “The exhibition is a channel of expression to understand the challenges, achievements and realities surrounding the LGBT + community, a path that denounces indifference, intolerance and discrimination, with the aim of generating respect and inclusion through deep knowledge of the LGBT community.”
“HRC welcomes the voices of so many leaders from across Mexico’s business, public and civil society sectors to promote LGBT equality as we head into Pride month. Now is the time for all of us to join in partnership and stand for our values of inclusion” said Mary Beth Maxwell, HRC’s Vice President for Programs, Research and Training.
“The unprecedented success of HRC Equidad MX demonstrates the commitment by major employers in Mexico to foster and support LGBT-inclusive workplaces. Mexico is now taking the lead by engaging corporate and government leaders to start a national dialogue for LGBT inclusion,” said Deena Fidas, HRC Director of HRC Equidad MX and HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program. “The Museum’s pioneering exhibit solidifies the visibility of the LGBT community in Mexico and reflects the rich and diverse history of its people. HRC is deeply honored to be included in the first-ever LGBT exhibit at the Museum of Memory and Tolerance in Mexico City.”
Earlier this year, the Museum of Memory and Tolerance launched the LGBT exhibition to generate greater public awareness about the richness of LGBT diversity, gender and sexual orientation. The exhibition is made possible by the support of the Mexico’s government and corporate sponsors committed to work for greater LGBT inclusion.
HRC is proud to join with Pride Connection and corporate sponsors Scotiabank, Grupo Modelo México, Marriott International and Vice Media to honor the museum’s efforts and its commitment to participate in the HRC Equidad MX survey to continue their long history for LGBT equality.
Since September 2016, HRC Equidad MX has been working with Mexican-based companies to promote awareness about the importance of LGBT diversity and inclusion in workplaces across the country. The program creates consulting and education models for Mexican companies and organizations interested in furthering their inclusivity efforts.
For more information on the HRC Equidad MX program, visit hrc.im/equidadMX or email [email protected] to learn more about participating in the HRC Foundation’s Equidad MX survey.
‘Queer Eye’ Season 2 Launching June 15
New episodes of Queer Eye, shot in the same time period as the first season, will begin airing on June 15, Netflix announced today. The network made the announcement online with the above video depicting a group text between Bobby Berk (design) Karamo Brown (culture), Antoni Porowski (food and wine) Jonathan Van Ness (grooming), and Tan France (fashion).
The post ‘Queer Eye’ Season 2 Launching June 15 appeared first on Towleroad.
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