OkCupid Doesn't Mind Bringing Politics Into Dating
*By Carlo Versano*
The old norms of social etiquette ー don't discuss politics or hot-button issues at the dinner table ー may be a thing of the past. And online dating site OKCupid is, in fact, putting those topics front and center.
About a year ago, when allegations of sexual misconduct by powerful men began circulating in the news almost daily, executives had what might seem like a novel idea. They added a new question to the company's membership survey: "Would you date someone who did not support the #MeToo movement?"
According to the company's chief marketing officer Melissa Hobley, nearly 80 percent of female respondents said lack of support was a "deal breaker." About 50 percent of men agreed.
The question is part of a long list OKCupid uses to distinguish itself from online dating services like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble, designed to help users find better, more accurate matches. The questions range from the innocuous ("Do you generally smile at little kids who cross your path?"), to the silly ("What superpower would you like to have?"), to the substantive ("Are you happy with your life?").
The questionnaire is optional, but about half a million daters voluntarily chose to address #MeToo, and 37 percent said it was an "important" issue, Hobley said.
How much their answers to this specific question affected who they were ultimately matched with ー or whether they contributed to a lasting relationship ー is so far unknown, but the numbers certainly suggest that charged issues in the zeitgeist may affect who we choose to date.
Digging a little deeper is an approach that Hobley said goes "beyond the selfie" ー a bit of a dig at her competitors. Tinder, Hinge, and OKCupid are owned by the same parent company, Match Group ($MTCH).
Since 2015, Hobley said OKCupid has seen a [1,000 percent](https://www.popsugar.com/news/Exclusive-OkCupid-Data-Politics-Sex-Dating-Trump-44521368) increase in the use of political buzzwords in people's profiles, seeming to confirm its view that the #MeToo question would resonate with daters.
"We knew it would help connect people," she said. "Your dating app shouldn't be disconnected from what's going on in the world."
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/okcupid-adds-question-about-metoo-movement).
Miami's real estate market has boomed since early 2020, thanks to an overall strong housing market, remote work, and no income tax as incentives. The city is preparing to welcome even more residents as people relocate to warmer climates to work from home. Garrett Derderian, director of market intelligence at SERHANT, joined Cheddar to discuss the Magic City's red hot market.
Actor, entertainer, and hip hop icon Queen Latifah is partnering with It's Bigger Than Me, an initiative with the goal of ending the stigma around obesity. She joined Cheddar News to discuss how she is working toward educating others and having important conversations about the social struggles that come with obesity. “We can’t let the Queen Latifah’s of the world not exist. We need people to care about other people," the "Hustle" star said.
Sarah Warbelow, legal director for Human Rights Campaign, joins Cheddar News to discuss why advocates want to overturn the FDA's rule restricting gay and bisexual men from donating blood.
Actor Jamie Chung joins Cheddar News to talk about her upcoming projects and her new partnership with Duracell helping parents learn more about hidden dangers in their home. But that's not all, she plays a fun game with us too!
Child care marketplace startup Kinside announced raising $12 million in a Series A round led by venture capitalists who are mothers themselves. The company aids parents searching for affordable child care easier by providing concierge support in a marketplace of verified professionals and helping them tap into flexible spending accounts (FSA) and other benefits. Founder and CEO Shadiah Sigala joined Cheddar News to talk about the fresh funds and the ongoing effects of the pandemic on the care of young children.
When it comes to diversity in children's toys, we have come a long way as a society but we still have a ways to go. One group of students decided to take matters into their own hands. Truly You! Character Creator is a fashion illustration activity set made for youth by youth. Lindsay Buckingham, one of the toy’s creators, sat down with Cheddar News to talk all about it.
David Levine, elections integrity fellow with Alliance for Securing Democracy, joins Cheddar News to discuss Politico's bombshell finding revealing the RNC's plan to contest the elections.
Perfect for Pride Month, Hulu’s "Fire Island" is a queer take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The cast of the gay rom-com, Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Conrad Ricamora, and Matt Rogers, joined Cheddar News to discuss the groundbreaking film. "I had to write it completely and have something to point to, to say this is the story, this is actually good, this is something that people will want to watch," said the writer and star Booster. "And so it took a long time, but I'm very lucky and blessed that I had a lot of people along the way who believed in it."
Catching you up on today’s entertainment headlines with CBS in the works to replace James Corden on the "The Late Late Show," "Top Gun: Maverick" facing a copyright lawsuit, Neve Campbell not returning to "Scream 6" over a disagreement about her salary, and more.
