Australia: EndoActive condemns 24-year-old dating app profile that rejects endometriosis

Dating app profile sparks backlash in Australia

A 24-year-old man has been criticised after listing “non-negotiable” requirements for a date on a dating app in Australia, with one particular item prompting widespread condemnation.

Endometriosis treated as a “deal-breaker”

According to a list quoted by the Australian website News.com.au, the user said he would rule out women who, among other things, “have children, major financial problems, a lot of emotional baggage or endometriosis”. “We probably won’t be compatible,” he added as part of the same list of rejections.

EndoActive president Lesley Freedman responds

The stance towards a chronic condition that can be painful and disabling - and which in Portugal is estimated to affect one in ten women of reproductive age - has triggered shock and disbelief.

Speaking to the outlet, the head of EndoActive, a platform that supports women living with the condition, was unequivocal in her criticism. “This profile on a dating app shows just how far we still need to go in terms of public awareness about endometriosis,” said the president of EndoActive.

For Lesley Freedman, “it is clear that this man is extremely prejudiced and ignorant”, before asking: “Why would anyone want to date him?” While stressing that this kind of attitude does not represent most people, she described it as a “big red flag”. The comments section was also swamped with critical reactions.