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LGBTQ dating

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LGBTQ dating has some distinct characteristics when compared to heterosexual relationships.[1]

In 2019, Serena Sonoma of Teen Vogue wrote, "Dating advice is largely focused on cisheteronormative society, which erases the experiences that non-binary people face in romance. Whether it's dating apps that lack appropriate gender options, transphobic partners who don't validate your identity, or misgendering based on appearance, there can be a lot of obstacles for nonbinary people who aren't recognized by cisgender people."[2]

There have been LGBTQ speed dating events[3][4] and TikTok shows.[5][6]

Body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders in the LGBTQ community can be fueled by dating apps and social media.[7] Some apps have taken measures to reduce or ban body shaming, as well as homophobic and transphobic language.[8]

Culture

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Apps and websites

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A visual of a Grindr survey asking users what subculture they identify with, giving bear, daddy, and twink as examples.

In 2022, a writer for The Hindu said the LGBTQ community "has a love-hate relationship with dating apps".[9] Dating apps have reduced the need for people to go to gay bars and other LGBTQ establishments.[10][11]

LGBTQ dating apps include Blued and Grindr. In 2019, Tim Fitzsimons of NBC News wrote, "Historically, Grindr was the first iPhone app to combine dating — and sex — with geolocation, birthing a genre that today includes favorites like Tinder and Bumble, which are popular with the larger heterosexual user base."[12] Blued and Finka were banned in China in 2025.[13][14][15] Blued and Grindr were banned in Malaysia in 2026.[16][17][18] LGBTQ dating websites have included Gaydar and Manhunt.[19] The gay dating app Squirt has been described as a "rehash" of a former gay cruising website.[20]

Her is a lesbian dating app.[21][22][23] Hanky is an invite-only dating app for gay and bisexual men.[24] The app Bumble has banned homophobic and transphobic language.[25] The transgender dating app Butterfly corrects transphobic language automatically.[26]

Film

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The film Old Guys in Bed is about gay men over the age of 60 exploring dating and sex.[27]

Television

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LGBTQ dating television shows have included A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila,[28] Alphabet Soup,[29] I Kissed a Boy,[30] The Boyfriend,[31][32] The Ultimatum: Queer Love,[33] and Stand Bi Me.[34]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Villarreal, Daniel. "How dating apps have tried to become more trans-inclusive over the years". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  2. ↑ Sonoma, Serena (2019-02-14). "What It's Like to Date When You're Nonbinary". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  3. ↑ "Speed dating is so popular in L.A. right now. But is it for you?". Los Angeles Times. 2023-09-21. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  4. ↑ Chingarande, Tinashe (2026-01-16). "Love board games and looking for love?". Washington Blade. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  5. ↑ Mlnarik, Carson. "This queer speed dating show on TikTok is the craziest, messiest thing we've ever seen". Queerty. Archived from the original on 2026-04-22. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  6. ↑ Messman-Rucker, Ariel. "Queer Joy Alert: TikTok star helps LGBTQ+ singles find love". Pride.com. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  7. ↑ "Gay men push back on body shaming amid high rates of body dysmorphia, eating disorders". Good Morning America. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  8. ↑ "Grindr's 'Kindr' Is 'First Step' in Fighting 'Sexual Racism'". www.hivplusmag.com. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  9. ↑ "Queer connections: How has the dating scene changed for the LGBTQIA+ community?". The Hindu. 2022-06-26. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  10. ↑ "Grindr and Tinder: the disruptive influence of apps on gay bars". Financial Times.
  11. ↑ Thomas, June (2011-06-29). "The Gay Bar: Its new competition". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  12. ↑ "Grindr turns 10: How a decade with GPS 'dating' apps changed us all". NBC News. 2019-03-24. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  13. ↑ "China Removes Two Leading Gay Dating Apps from Stores". OutSmart Magazine. 2025-11-13. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  14. ↑ "Bars, Pride and dating apps: How China is closing down its LGBT+ spaces". France 24. 2025-11-14. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  15. ↑ Hawkins, Amy (2025-11-11). "China removes two popular gay dating apps from Apple and Android stores". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  16. ↑ Riley, John (2026-03-01). "Malaysia Blocks Access to LGBTQ Dating Apps Grindr and Blued". Metro Weekly. Archived from the original on 2026-03-09. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  17. ↑ Kumar, Ankush (2026-03-12). "Malaysia blocks access to Grindr, other gay dating websites". Washington Blade. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  18. ↑ Palmer, Poppy-Jay St (2026-02-25). "Malaysia blocks Grindr and may limit more LGBTQ+ dating apps". PinkNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  19. ↑ Gill, Tom (2024-03-24). "'There's a gay bar in my pocket!': how 15 years of Grindr has affected gay communities and dating culture". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  20. ↑ Norman, James (2015-07-15). "Goodbye to all the gay bars. Are dating apps killing queer culture?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  21. ↑ Billson, Chantelle (2026-01-21). "Lesbian dating app goes viral with hilarious bowling ball ad". PinkNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  22. ↑ "These Are the Best Dating Apps for Trans People". Cosmopolitan. 2025-06-11. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  23. ↑ Perry, Sophie (2023-04-28). "Lesbian dating app HER tells all transphobic users to delete their accounts". PinkNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  24. ↑ Power, Shannon (2016-01-12). "Hanky, a new invite-only dating app that weeds out "creeps and trolls"". Star Observer. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  25. ↑ Wakefield, Lily (2021-01-29). "Dating app Bumble bans body-shaming, including 'fatphobic, ableist, racist, homophobic or transphobic' language". PinkNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  26. ↑ Kelleher, Patrick (2020-02-03). "Trailblazing transgender dating app automatically corrects transphobic language". PinkNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  27. ↑ Scheetz, Cameron. "WATCH: 'Old Guys In Bed' gets real about gay dating & intimacy over 60". Queerty. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  28. ↑ "The History of LGBTQ+ Reality TV Dating Shows From 'NeXT' to 'The Ultimatum: Queer Love'". Autostraddle. 2025-07-07. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  29. ↑ Hereford, André (2025-10-26). "Alphabet Soup's Thrilling Queer Dating Chaos". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  30. ↑ Wratten, Marcus (2026-03-11). "BBC axes LGBTQ+ dating shows I Kissed A Boy/Girl due to 'funding challenges'". PinkNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  31. ↑ Sim, Bernardo. "Best queer dating shows and where to watch them | Out.com". www.out.com. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  32. ↑ Sim, Bernardo. "The Boyfriend S2: A new reality for LGBTQ+ rights in Japan | Out.com". www.out.com. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  33. ↑ Shatto, Rachel. "13 lesbian & sapphic reality dating shows & where to watch". Pride.com. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  34. ↑ Yoon-seo, Lee (2026-01-08). "Korea's first bisexual dating reality series set for release". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
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