The biggest names in US dating apps reacted to Texas’ new restrictive abortion laws that went into effect this past week by creating relief funds for those who will now have to seek medical care outside of the state.
Austin-based Bumble extended their relief fund to anyone seeking abortions in the state of Texas. The company tweeted, “Bumble is women-founded and women-led, and from day one we’ve stood up for the most vulnerable. We’ll keep fighting against regressive laws like #SB8,” referring to the legislation signed in May by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. The law forbids most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, a time period in which many women won’t have even discovered their pregnancy yet.
Shar Dubey, CEO of Match Group, the internet and tech company based in Dallas, Texas that owns and operates Hinge, Tinder, and OKCupid among other dating apps and sites, announced in a memo to employees that she is personally creating a fund to support workers in Texas and their dependents who need abortions.
“As I have said before, the company generally does not take political stands unless it is relevant to our business. But in this instance, I personally, as a woman in Texas, could not keep silent,” Dubey declares in the memo.
“Surely everyone should see the danger of this highly punitive and unfair law that doesn’t even make an exception for victims of rape or incest. I would hate for our state to take this big step back in women’s rights.”