Online dating often feels hostile to people outside mainstream norms. Yet in the U.S. roughly 9.3% of adults now identify as LGBTQ+ (and about 1.0% of all Americans – roughly 2.8 million people – identify as transgender. At the same time, over 70% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Despite this diversity, traditional dating apps can alienate many people. For example, 80% of Americans believe people with obesity face prejudice on dates, and studies find that a majority of LGBTQ users report harassment on dating platforms. Ysos takes a different approach: it’s built as a safe, inclusive community where people of all genders and body types can feel respected and secure.
Understanding the Challenges
Research shows marginalized daters often face extra risks online. In one Pew survey, 69% of lesbian, gay or bisexual online daters reported at least one form of harassment (versus 52% of heterosexual daters). Over half (56%) said they received unsolicited explicit messages (compared to 32% of straight daters), and 41% were called offensive slurs on an app. Some even reported threats of physical harm (17% of LGBT+ users vs. 7% of straight users). Trans and nonbinary daters – who make up a growing share of younger generations – often find only “man”/“woman” checkboxes and feel erased. Body diversity brings its own issues. A large YouGov poll found 80% of Americans say people who are obese face dating discrimination. Many plus-size singles report feeling judged or fetishized on mainstream apps. In short, gender-minority and plus-size users frequently endure unwanted advances, body shaming, and unsafe encounters in other dating spaces. Ysos addresses these challenges head-on through thoughtful design.
How Ysos Puts Users in Control
Ysos is engineered for privacy, consent and authenticity. No fakes. Every new Ysos account must verify a real phone number. This means you chat only with real people – a fundamental first step for safety. Device PIN-lock. You can set a personal PIN to lock the app when it’s not in use. Only you can open Ysos on your phone, so your conversations and profile stay private even if someone else has your device. Private/Public Galleries. Photo sharing is guarded. You upload images into either a public gallery or a private one. Private photos remain hidden unless you explicitly grant access (Plus, all images carry a security watermark to prevent unwanted screenshots.) In this way, your most revealing pictures are seen only by people you trust. Ysos also minimizes unwanted messaging through mutual-consent matching. Chats only open when two users mutually like each other. In other words, you can’t be bombarded with texts from random profiles – every conversation starts only after mutual interest is confirmed. This consent-first system ensures more respectful interactions from the start. Crucially, Ysos offers flexible identity and preference filters so you meet exactly the people you want. During signup you specify your identity (single or couple; man, woman, cis, trans, crossdresser, etc.) and your orientation. You then choose who you’re interested in – for example, men (cis or trans), women (cis or trans), mixed-gender couples (M/F), same-gender couples (M/M or F/F), crossdressers, and so on. You can select as many options as you like. From that moment on, “you only appear to profiles you’re looking for”. If you’re not searching for men, straight or otherwise, male users simply won’t see your profile – meaning far fewer unwanted approaches. This powerful filtering puts you in control of whom you encounter.
Ysos Safety and Privacy Features
- Verified Profiles: Phone verification on signup blocks bots and fakes, so everyone you meet has a confirmed identity.
- PIN-Protected App: A personal PIN screen lock keeps the entire app secure, so no one can peek into your chats or photos.
- Private/Public Galleries: Your revealing photos live in a private gallery seen only by chosen contacts. Public gallery images are accessible to all, but any image can be kept private with one tap.
- Advanced Filters & Gender Options: You define exactly who you want to meet. Ysos lets you filter by cis or trans men/women, couples (M/F, M/M, F/F), crossdressers, and other configurations. Only mutually compatible profiles are shown to each other, eliminating irrelevant matches.
- Consent-First Chat: Conversations begin only after you and the other user mutually “like” each other. This opt-in design stops unsolicited messages and upholds each person’s boundaries.
Together, these features create a safe and respectful environment. By requiring verification, locking down private data, and enforcing mutual consent, Ysos dramatically reduces harassment and fake profiles. Many users note they feel more in control on Ysos than on other apps.
A Community Built on Respect
From day one, we make clear that everyone is welcome. Ysos normalizes every identity. In practice, singles and couples of all stripes report feeling seen and accepted in the community. Profiles feature body-diverse imagery, and users of all sizes are actively encouraged to join and post. Inside the app, community guidelines reinforce kindness. For example, strict rules on profile photos help keep content appropriate (no hateful or exploitative images). Any harassment or bigotry can be reported and blocked. Because only consenting, verified users interact, the culture tends toward mutual respect. Many Ysos testimonials praise the app for being “dynamic”, “practical” and safe for “couples looking for something more” (see user reviews on our site). In short, our very design and policies send a clear message: Your gender, your body, and your love life are valid here.
Embracing All Genders and Sizes
Modern America’s dating scene is rich in diversity. Younger generations in particular report high rates of nonbinary and fluid identities, and with 40.3% of adults living with obesity, plus-size individuals are far from rare. Yet many legacy apps fail to reflect this reality. Ysos was created to celebrate it. By including cis and trans designations side-by-side and by using inclusive identity filters, Ysos affirms that trans and nonbinary people have equal footing. Similarly, by not judging users for body size – instead giving private galleries and self-controlled visibility – Ysos sends the message that all bodies are welcome. In fact, Ysos highlights “real people” of every shape in its community content and promotions. Our goal is for every user to feel seen and safe. Whether someone identifies as a trans woman who loves tall admirers, a curvy nonbinary person on the hunt for a kind date, or a heterosexual couple with diverse tastes, Ysos works to match them with like-minded, respectful partners. The emphasis on consent-driven communication (mutual likes, filters, etc.) means that no one has to endure unwanted attention or shaming. And because everything from signup to messaging prioritizes user choice, Ysos helps ensure that you control your dating experience. In short, we believe love and fun should be accessible to all – regardless of gender identity or body size. The statistics tell us our users are part of large, vibrant communities (millions in the U.S. alone). Our mission is to make the online side of dating as welcoming as those communities are. With robust privacy settings and an explicitly inclusive platform, Ysos is creating the kind of positive, celebratory dating environment that everyone deserves.