Tinder found that three-quarters of LGBTQIA+ daters found apps a safe space to express their identity
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY GETTY
How did you come out? For some people, it might have been teary chats around kitchen tables or casually at the pub with friends. But for a growing number of Gen Z daters, coming out is happening online – specifically on dating apps.
After surveying 4,000 LGBTQIA+ daters, Tinder found that over half of respondents had come out on a dating app before telling friends or family. For many, these apps are a place to explore their identity on their own terms, being able to come out without the immediate pressure of telling everyone in their life. 40% even said coming out on a dating app gave them a sense of belonging, even if they didn’t find a romantic connection.
In an increasingly digital world, dating apps are helping queer daters connect like never before. Over half of Tinder’s respondents said that they had never had a queer dating experience before online dating, and for many, this was because they were uncertain about their own identity. Three-quarters of respondents said that dating apps create comfortable spaces for people to express their gender and sexual identities.
Even if daters aren’t making romantic connections, these matches can lead to long-term queer friendships, offering community. 72% even said that dating apps play a significant role in creating community.
Sinead Purcell, Senior Communications Director of UK and Nordics at Tinder, said: “For a generation that has grown up online, the path to self-discovery was always going to look different to that of previous generations. More and more, we’re seeing young queer people turn to dating apps not just to find someone, but to explore and express who they are. We’re proud that Tinder is more than just a place to match; it’s become a space where people can be their full selves, sometimes for the very first time.”
This Pride Month, Tinder is re-introducing its annual in-app Pride profile stickers, which allow daters to use stickers on their profile that read “Happy Pride, Proud, Ally, Protect Trans People, Pride Flag, and Shine On”.
For every sticker added in June, Tinder will donate $1 USD to the Human Rights Campaign (up to $50,000 USD), contributing to a total donation of up to $100,000 USD.
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