Why the C.E.O. Behind Match.com and Tinder Took a Stand on the Texas Abortion Law
A few months ago, Match.com and its chief executive, Sean Rad “committed to supporting Planned Parenthood as a national partner as part of the company’s commitment to social mission,” according to the match.com blog.
The announcement marked an important step toward what’s been a major priority for Match.com, an online dating site for people 30 and older who spend a lot of time online dating. The service has been used by people who are both single and dating to meet and date.
A few days after Rad announced his support for Planned Parenthood, the Texas Medical Association, a group that focuses on the health care needs of women, posted a blog on its website. The TMA, which represents physicians, has a lot of clout, and it made its opposition to Rad’s support on abortion and the Planned Parenthood funding at least partly public.
“Match.com is a private company, and it’s not required to comply with or disclose its political donations,” wrote TMA president Susan Wood, whose organization has spent more than $11,00,000 on lobbying in Texas in the past few years.
I did a little digging and found an account belonging to Rad and his wife on their personal profiles, and the match and Tinder sites are owned by Rad. So here’s Rad’s take on his stance on Planned Parenthood.
First off, he is pro-life. He has called himself a pro-life “Christian feminist” and has been very clear about his position on the issue. I asked him about Planned Parenthood, and he said, “I am pro-choice.” To clarify where things stand:
Planned Parenthood does abortions. They provide family planning, which means they provide for women’s health, which includes abortions. Some women