Anti-vaccine dating apps are taking their mission offline, launching in-person mixers for singles who oppose COVID-19 vaccines, a move that has ignited public backlash and even led to a lawsuit.
Scott Armstrong, who claims he was fired for refusing vaccination, recently witnessed about 60 anti-vaxxers gather at Jonathan’s Grille in Nashville for a mixer hosted by Unjected, an app described as "built on creating health-conscious relationships." Attendees traveled from across the country for the event, part of Unjected’s "Summer of Love" tour aimed at connecting vaccine-hesitant singles. Armstrong, who helped organize the event, stated that unvaccinated individuals still feel persecuted and that these meetups are a response to perceived societal hatred and a promotion of "natural health."
This trend of real-life events mirrors a broader movement among dating apps seeking renewed engagement. However, for the anti-vax community, these gatherings are specifically about finding partners who prioritize "bodily autonomy." Similar platforms include Unjabbed, NoVax.Singles, Unjuiced.Date, and Unjabbed.net, with PureBlood.Dating also launching an in-person community focus.
Shelby Hosana, the 32-year-old founder of Unjected, frames the movement as "pro-freedom" rather than solely anti-vaccination, emphasizing individual choice regarding what goes into one's body. While Unjected initially focused on COVID-19 vaccine opposition, its website indicates a stance against all vaccinations. The app operates on an honor system, with an optional premium tier for verified unvaccinated status via affidavit. Unjected was briefly removed from the Apple App Store in 2021 for violating misinformation policies but was later reinstated, a timing Hosana links to the political climate.
Medical experts, however, caution against the health risks associated with these movements. Dr. Paul Offit, an infectious disease specialist, stresses that vaccine-preventable diseases remain a threat, causing suffering, hospitalization, and death. He questions the notion of "medical freedom" when it potentially endangers others through contagious diseases. The Unjected tour faced significant opposition when a Denver venue, Recess Beer Garden, publicly stated it had not authorized the event and subsequently received hostile messages and threats. Hosana has since filed a $4 million civil discrimination lawsuit against Recess, alleging infringement of civil rights and defamation.
Hosana argues that public backlash is unwarranted, pointing to CDC standards that may classify individuals as unvaccinated if they don't adhere to specific booster schedules, though this interpretation is often misapplied. Sociologists note that the rise of anti-vax dating platforms reflects the increasing influence of political issues on dating choices, with a significant portion of Americans believing vaccination status is important for app users. Despite associations with political figures and movements, Hosana maintains Unjected's mission is apolitical, aiming to allow individuals the right to make personal health decisions without judgment or mandates.
