A woman has created a dating app solely for people who aren’t having sex, after she said God ‘called to her’ and asked her to make it.
Shakia, 33-year-old Shakia from Tampa, Florida started “The Sexless Tribe”, last year, as a place for sexually absent people – something she felt was underrepresented.
Entrepreneur, who decided to abstain at 13 years of age, said that the app is more than a dating site. It’s also a space where people with similar interests can “come together” and connect.
According to its website, The Sexless Tribe App “makes it simple for sexually absent people to access abstinence resource, find accountability partners and form friendships, as well as make romantic connections.”
Shakia said that it was her calling to create the app. She uses the platform for encouraging messages and late-night check ins to its subscribers. To remind them that they have the option to go to the app to listen to songs, videos, or podcasts if they’re feeling a bit irritable.
“This lifestyle is not talked about enough.” It’s not visible enough,’ said Shakia.
“There is not enough space for people to get together to achieve this lifestyle. So I rose to the occasion.”
A woman has created a dating app solely for people who aren’t having sex after she said God ‘called to her’ and asked her to make it
Shakia Seabrook (33), a Tampa resident, created ‘The Sexless Tribe to be a place for those who abstain from sexual activity – an underrepresented community.
According to its website, The Sexless Tribe App “makes it simple for sexually absent people to access abstinence resource, find accountability partners and make romantic connections.”
It’s not just a dating app, the entrepreneur said. But it also offers a space where people who aren’t religious can connect.
Shakia stated that, although she didn’t feel’super passionate” about abstinence in the beginning, she changed her mind and decided to go “full throttle” with the app when she saw God’s will for her.
She said, “God just kept showing it to me that this is what He’s calling you do,”
“I was against it because I didn’t feel passionate about it. It was 2020 when I gave God my no and started going full-throttle from that point on.
‘I started [with]T-shirts, but then I realized that it was not enough. People wanted community.
“I was inspired by an app created by someone else and thought that that is what I needed. We need a space where we can connect and come together.
This app has two sections: the resource area for abstinence based material, and TSTsocial – where members can make profiles and connect.
Shakia said, “In September 2020, i created the community space.”
“Then, it dawned on me that this wasn’t sufficient because I was still getting DMs asking for advice.” [if]Any books, podcasts or YouTube channels on abstinence were available to me.
‘I realized that they also needed resources and in the beginning of this year I created the resources part of the app and now it’s one big hub.
“There are many events hosted on Zoom every month. Each day, they receive a encouraging message to their phones and get a late-night check in to make sure they are on task.
‘I tell them at night – maybe you’re having a little itch, maybe you need to go to the app and listen to a song or a video or a podcast.’
Although the beta version of the app is not yet available, Shakia stated that there are over 8,000 downloaded versions for each part and users use it worldwide.
The platform is used by her to remind the 8,000 subscribers that they have the option to go to the app to listen to music, videos or podcasts if they feel the need.
It also allows her to send encouraging messages, provide resources and host virtual events.
Though she is a Christian, Shakia said her decision to remain abstinent wasn’t rooted in religion. Shakia said, “Seeing casual sex happening, it wasn’t something I desired.”
“We literally have people coming from all parts of the world who will keep an eye on the events. Some will rise at 4 AM just to keep going, she stated.
‘Africa, the UK, India, Australia – I’ve shipped out to Ireland and Israel. All over, people are tapping in whether it’s on the app, via the store, or even a YouTube channel.’
Though she is a Christian, Shakia said her decision to remain abstinent wasn’t rooted in religion.
‘Even though I’m a Christian, my “why” wasn’t initially rooted in God, but it’s matured more over the years and God now is a part of that foundation,’ she said.
I can recall making this decision when I was 13 years old. While I have no idea why I made this decision when I was 13, I saw how casual it was and realized I didn’t want to be involved in sex.
It didn’t seem super fun and special. A man who stands before God is the right person.
Shakia also said that the app isn’t exclusively for Christians, and that she wants people to know that everyone is welcome.
“Is this a Christian App?” It’s not a Christian app. “I’m not a virgin can I join?” She replied, “Yes.”
“All are invited.” I didn’t create it only for Christians, I created it for anyone who’s living this lifestyle.’
Shakira also likes to post videos about her lifestyle online, and although she’s gotten no negative feedback about the app, she said people do react negatively to the clips.
“I get backlash from videos that I make about myself, especially my virginity,” she stated.
“That’s because I can watch all of your videos. I tell people I’m not here to convince, condemn or convict. I’m just sharing my truth.
‘I’m literally just saying a fact that’s true to me, but somehow people are saying I’m imposing my beliefs on other people or I’m shaming people who are non-virgins.’
She also said that the app isn’t exclusively for Christians, and that she wants people to know that everyone is welcome. ‘I created it for anyone who’s living this lifestyle,’ she added
Shakia said that her aim is to “stand as the voice” and show people that there’s an alternative. She said: ‘the time that we’re living in there’s only one option being pushed and it’s sex’
Shakia insisted she isn’t there to judge but to ‘stand as the voice and face and let people know that there is an option.’
‘I feel like in order to make an informed decision with anything you have to be informed of all the options and I think the time that we’re living in there’s only one option being pushed and it’s sex,’ she said.
‘If people choose to do that, I don’t have anything to say about it, I just think we’re doing a disservice to the youth.
‘When I was 13, I needed to know that living an abstinent lifestyle is doable and it’s being done.
A lot of young people will ask me “Can you wait?” and that blows my mind that they think that’s something they have to ask.
‘I just love being able to allow people to see that there is a different option and really give a new face and voice to what it’s like to live abstinent.
‘People think they know what a virgin looks or acts like, so just showing them that we’re out here and we’re cute and we’re living and we’re fun, but we just made a decision in regard to our sexuality.”
You can find the Sexless Tribe store and app at thesexlesstribe.com.