Grindr is the world’s #1 FREE mobile social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people to connect. Chat and meet up with interesting people for free, or upgrade to Grindr XTRA for more features, more fun, and more chances to connect.

Grindr is faster and better than ever:

• NEW – Assemble your crew with Group Chat!
• See people nearby based on your location
• Browse re-designed profiles with bigger photos
• Chat and share private photos
• Filter your search to find what you want
• Customize your profile to share more about yourself
• Star your favorites and block others
• Report people easily and safely
• Send your location and make it easier to meet
• More ways to quickly find what you're looking for
• More ways to chat with people around the world

Create and personalize your profile now to include more about you, what you’re looking for, and more. Within minutes you’ll be ready to connect, chat, and meet.

Looking for even more? Upgrade your Grindr experience to XTRA for more features, more freedom and more fun. Grindr XTRA subscription features include:

• No 3rd party ads
• See 6x the profiles, up to 600 at once
• View only people who are online now
• View only profiles with a photo
• More blocks and favorites
• Access to all premium filters
• Chat easily with saved phrases
• Send multiple photos at once

Grindr has someone for everyone. No matter what you’re looking for, you can find it here!

Tell us what you think about Grindr by visiting
http://help.grindr.com/anonymous_requests/new

If you are experiencing any issues, you can get support by contacting us through https://help.grindr.com/hc/

Terms of Service: http://www.grindr.com/terms-of-service/
Privacy Policy: http://www.grindr.com/privacy-policy/

Grindr and Grindr XTRA are for adults 18 years and older only. Photos depicting nudity or sex acts are strictly prohibited.

Facebook: @grindr
Twitter: @grindr
Instagram: @grindr
Snapchat: zerofeetaway

One thing both straight and LGBTQ+ folks can agree on: Dating is a struggle, no matter what method you choose. You could courageously strike up a conversation with a stranger at your neighborhood bar or you could ask a friend to set you up with one of their friends—but if you're like most people, you probably turn to the online dating apps. That's particularly true if you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community, who, according to a Pew Research Center survey, are twice as likely as straight adults to have used a dating site or app.

As a result, many mainstream dating apps have taken steps to become more inclusive, and, even better, new LGBTQ+ dating apps are constantly turning up. So to help you meet your match, we've rounded up some of the best LGBTQ+ dating apps you can download right now. Some cater to certain segments of the LGBTQ+ acronym, like Grindr (which primarily targets men) or Lex (which is basically for anyone but straight and/or a cisgender men), while others are for the queer community as a whole. Some are great choices if you're looking for a long-term relationship, and others are ideal for something a little less serious.

The bottom line? These LGBTQ+ dating app options all serve different needs. So if one doesn’t work, in the words of the immortal Aaliyah, dust yourself off and try again.

Dating is exhausting. We all know it. Luckily, there has been a surge of dating sites and apps offering more opportunities and options than ever for the LGBTQ+ community.

But with all good things, there comes a risk. Dating sites and apps are often misused. You might come across people that aren’t looking for the same things you are, and it’s hard to filter it out at first glance.

There has been a rise in gay dating apps and sites. In 2022, there are approximately 1,500 dating apps. And according to MarketWatch, online dating has become the most popular way for LGBTQ+ people to date. Still, many gay dating websites and apps are all about sex, sex, and more sex. It can be difficult to narrow down and find an app that caters more to your personal preference—maybe you’re looking for a long-term relationship or a companion.

If you’re gay and are struggling to find dating apps that accommodate all walks of LGBTQ+ life, you’re in the right spot. Don’t lose hope. Keep reading to discover the 20 best gay dating sites and apps in 2022 for men, women, and queer folk. There is a little something for everyone, so hopefully, you’ll find your perfect match on one of these gay dating apps.

Best Gay Dating Sites and Apps in 2022

1. Men Nation – Best for fun dates and casual hookups
2. Adam4Adam – Best guys and user experience
3. eHarmony – Best matchmaking algorithm
4. Zoosk– Best new generation Match.com
5. Scruff – Best for gay cubs and bears
6. Hornet – Best for international hookups
7. HER – Best for lesbians/gay women
8. Grindr – Best for sex and casual hookups
9. Elite Singles – Best for meeting professional singles
10. OkCupid – Best heterosexual app that is LGBTQ+ inclusive
11. Tinder – Best for an enormous user base
12. Hinge – Best for substantial relationships
13. Lex – Best for queer and nonbinary folks
14. Nuit – Best for folks into astrology
15. Jack’d – Best for diversity
16. Chappy – Best for meaningful connections
17. Silver Singles – Best for singles over 50
18. Our Time – Best for senior singles looking for companionship
19. BeNaughty – Best for kinky and casual physical relationships
20. Senior Match – Best for singles over 60

2.  Adam4Adam – Best Website Turned to App

Pros:

• Successfully running since 2003
• About 27 filter options to find your perfect match

Cons:

• High number of fake profiles and bots
• Interface is outdated and bland

Adam4Adam is good for gay singles because it’s similar to Grindr, but it’s been around for much longer and has been a pioneer for the gay online world. People usually use it for casual and sexual encounters, but there is a chance to meet a romantic match if that’s what you are searching for.

A4A offers an online sex shop and live cams that you can explore. But the only drawback of this website turned app is that there are many fake profiles, and its user base isn’t as high as apps like Grindr and Tinder.

3.  eHarmony – Best for Enhanced Matchmaking

Pros:

• 80-question personality quiz
• Ideal for long-term relationships

Cons:

• Expensive premium plans
• Lengthy sign-up process

eHarmony is great for gay singles looking for serious relationships. This site launched in 2000, designed for straight Christians. But over the years, this site has become more inclusive and now accepts the LGBTQ+ community. As of 2009, many LGBTQ+ folks have been finding their perfect match thanks to its elite matchmaking.

If you’re serious about finding a long-term partner, paying for a premium plan will ensure you match with someone based on your values, ambitions, and dreams. It’s most definitely one of the best gay dating sites for finding real love, but it comes with an investment—so be ready to pay up.

4.  Zoosk – Best New Generation Match.com

Pros:

• Very active users
• Used in over 80 countries

Cons:

• Have to pay extra for additional features

Zoosk is perfect for younger gay singles looking for relationships. If you’re in your early to mid-20s and not interested in casual hookups, this is the app you should be looking at. It’s designed in a unique cartoony UI to enjoy the dating process.

It is one of the most popular dating sites with a community of 35 million users in 80 different countries. It’s open to singles of all ages, races, religions, and sexual orientations. It also provides verified profiles so you can be assured that you’re not interested in pursuing a bot or troll account.

5.  Scruff – Best for Gay Cubs and Bears

Pros:

• Specifically for gay men (GTBQ community)
• Has a “Scruff Travel” feature available

Cons:

• Free membership means dealing with ads
• App crashes from time to time

Scruff is best suited for men in the GTBQ community looking for diverse types of men. It is one of the top-rated gay dating apps, and because it uses geolocation, it shows you hot singles near you. When searching for potential dates, it allows you to tick off one or multiple communities you are open to. These communities include bear, bisexual, cub, daddy, discreet, drag, jock, military, muscle, otter, poz, trans, and much more.

When you’re traveling, the app allows you to publish a travel agenda with your destination city, which means you can organize hookups when you arrive.

6.  Hornet – Best for International Hookups

Pros:

• Lots of features available to free users
• Huge user base

Cons:

• You need a Facebook or Google account to log in

Hornet is geared toward international gay men because this dating app was designed to be used in countries that aren’t LGBTQ+-inclusive. It has a community of 25 million users worldwide and is known as the “digital home” for the gay network.

Since it’s used in countries that aren’t quite liberal, it’s a way to be discreet and careful. But that doesn’t mean it’s not popular or high in demand. Hornet is a great app to meet foreign travelers, to hook up while vacationing in another country, or to find the international love of your life.

7.  HER – Best for Lesbians / Gay women

Pros:

• Messaging is all free and unlimited
• Matches based on location

Cons:

• App sometimes lags
• You need a Facebook or Instagram account to sign up

HER is the best gay dating app for queer women. Unfortunately, men consistently bother queer women on dating apps. Even if you set your preferences to only women, there is a chance your potential may not be interested.

Enter HER. It gives the lesbian community an exclusive app. It’s designed solely for women, and the target audience is lesbian, queer, and bisexual women. It’s available in all major cities across 114 countries worldwide. This revolutionary app is for queer women tired of the other mainstream dating sites.

8.  Grindr – Best for Sex and Casual Hookups

Pros:

• Over 6 million users
• Free and widely known

Cons:

• Not for those looking for long-term romance
• App can lag

Grindr is the most popular gay dating app in the world. Even straight people have heard of it. Grindr is used in over 200 countries globally to find gay sex immediately. This app has gained a reputation for hooking up and casual sex and has become the go-to app for it.

The layout is geolocation-based, so you can instantly have access to sexy guys in your area, making quick sex easy to organize with the click of a few buttons. They’ve recently added sections for trans and nonbinary people. Unfortunately, Grindr is predominantly known for a certain type.

9.  Elite Singles – Best for Meeting Professional Singles

Pros:

• In-depth personality test to find the perfect match
• High-quality singles in the world

Cons:

• Limited-time free trial
• Website is more user-friendly than the app

Elite Singles is ideal for gay singles and is one of the top sites to find serious relationships between professionals. Since this site is a little high-end, it means you need to pay for its premium features. Most people on here are earning loads of money and looking for a serious long-term relationship.

Education is a crucial part of the personality test, and it has a direct bearing on who will contact you. For some, it may come off very snobby, but if we’re looking at the best dating sites and apps catered to every walk of life, this is the go-to for professionals.

10.  OkCupid – Best Heterosexual App That is LGBTQ+ Inclusive

Pros:

• LGBTQ+ inclusive with a large database
• Vast user base of people

Cons:

• Chance of catfishes
• Will only allow messaging if both people match

OkCupid is fantastic for gay singles that want to use a trustworthy dating app that is LGBTQ+ inclusive. Since OkCupid has been around since 2004 and has 30 million active users, it’s made many positive updates to cater to a wider range of people. Even though it was mainly designed for straight folks, it’s developed a strong following of LGBTQ+ people over the past few years. There are so many different pronouns and sexualities to choose from, giving you optimal choices that will meet your needs.

It just requires you to answer a lot of questions when you sign up to ensure that you match with someone who shares your exact values and ideals.

11.  Tinder – Best for Enormous User Base

Pros:

• User pool is huge
• Passport feature to change location—useful when traveling

Cons:

• Might come across bots
• 76 percent of users live in urban areas, so if you live anywhere rural you may have a smaller match pool

Tinder is the best hookup app for singles, but it is also a choice for LGBTQ+ folks looking for hookups or love. The prime reason why Tinder is a good choice to find people is because of its ginormous user base. It’s so popular that you will most likely find something close to what you’re looking for.

There are many exclusively gay dating apps—like Scruff and HER—but nothing beats Tinder for popularity. Its target audience is singles in the 18-34 year age bracket, so keep that in mind if you’re thinking of downloading this app.

12.  Hinge – Best for Substantial Relationships

Pros:

• Popular with millennials
• Matchmaking algorithm is top-notch

Cons:

Hinge is great for the younger LGBTQ+ community. This app is focused more on finding real romance and actual relationships. Its motto is that Hinge is “designed to be deleted.” In terms of LGBTQ+ folk, this app is for long-term dating and relationships.

This one is a mainstream dating app, so if you’re LGBT, be aware that you might not find what you’re looking for. Although the app does have very diverse profiles located in your local vicinity, there is always a chance that you won’t find exactly your type because it does not specifically cater to the LGBTQ+ community.

13.  Lex – Best for Queer and Nonbinary Folks

Pros:

• Many identities to browse from—including genderfluid
• Unique interface

Cons:

Lex is great for queer and nonbinary folks who are nonconforming and looking for like-minds. While most dating apps are picture-focused, Lex is a unique experience altogether. It prides itself on an early 2000s interface with a Craigslist-style design to post your profile.

You can find people who care about the same things as you and are interested in similar things in your local area. Not only is it very inclusive, but this app also has a zero-tolerance policy towards hate speech or creepiness. If you’re interested in a unique interface and want to find nonconforming folks, similar to yourself, this app is the best gay dating app for that.

14.  Nuit – Best for LGBTQ+ Folks into Astrology

Pros:

• Multiple pronouns and sexuality options
• Great if you’re into birth charts and astrology

Cons:

• No point if you are not interested in astrology

Nuit is the best dating app for gay folks who are into astrology. Zodiac, birth charts, cosmic energy, and astrology are a growing interest for many people in 2022, and this app is for them specifically.

It’s a great way to find gay friends and love interests in your area who share your love for astrology. This app is super inclusive and gives you so many options that you are bound to meet someone with the same energy and interests as you.

15.  Jack’d – Best for Diversity

Pros:

• Worldwide community of 180 countries
• Most inclusive for queer people of color

Cons:

• Available only as a mobile app

Jack’d is the best diverse bi, gay, queer, and trans dating app. It has a global community of 5 million members in over 180 countries. The main goal of this gay app is inclusivity. It aims to create a community that brings together diverse LGBTQ+ members to meet, make friends, and develop deep connections, whether it be friendships or romantic relationships.

Similar to Tinder and Grindr, Jack’d is location-based. It offers a free version and also has a paid version. This app is globally the most diverse gay dating app.

16.  Chappy – Best for Meaningful Connections

Pros:

• Free with no annoying trial periods
• Adjust preferences to casual friendship or serious relationships

Cons:

Chappy is wonderful for gay men looking for substantial connections. In 2018, the shareholders of Bumble—a popular mainstream dating app—took over Chappy, making Chappy Bumble’s certified counterpart for gay dating.

It was created to make a comfortable and safe dating space for gay men. In an attempt to add some type of vulnerability and emotional value, Chappy gives the members the freedom to choose their matches according to their interests. It’s only available in limited areas, and it has a 100 percent gay membership, with a vast majority of them between the ages of 18 to 34.

17.  Silver Singles – Best for Singles Over 50

Pros:

• 100 percent dedicated to singles that are 50 years and older
• Easy-to-use interface

Cons:

Silver Singles is great for gay singles over 50 years old. It is one of the largest online dating websites for singles over this age group. It caters to people looking for new friendships, casual dating, or serious relationships. Whether you’re single, divorced, separated, or widowed, you’ll find singles with all types of life stories.

If you’re LGBTQ+ and over 50 years old, Silver Singles is a great dating app to find whatever you’re looking for. It offers more mature singles a platform to enjoy serious senior dating with no judgment or discrimination. And everything is available on a mobile app if you prefer your smartphone.

18.  Our Time – Best for Senior Singles Looking for Companionship

Pros:

• Three-day free trial
• 14-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

• You have to have a paid subscription to send messages

Our Time is best for senior gay or lesbian people looking for anything from friendships to relationships. Its main goal is to provide men and women in their 50s an opportunity to meet others for conversation and meaningful connections. You can also search for pen-pals, friends, or companionship.

Dating demographics suggest that adults over the age of 50 are becoming more active in the online dating world. But unfortunately, there aren’t too many dating apps that cater to their needs specifically. Our Time combats this by providing a comfortable and safe place for singles over 50 to find love or friendship.

19.  BeNaughty – Best for Kinky and Casual Physical Relationships

Pros:

• Profiles explicitly state what people are looking for
• Very user-friendly

Cons:

• Men cannot reply to messages unless they have a paying account

BeNaughty is a great app for LGBTQ+ who are kinky and in search of casual physical relationships. It is different from other dating sites because of its transparency. With other dating sites and apps, a user’s intention may not always be clear. But with BeNaughty, every user’s intention is targeted towards casual fun.

It has a diverse range of members who are open-minded and non-judgmental. It caters towards LGBTQ+ folks by its search functions which help you narrow down your selections by adjusting your preferences. BeNaughty is a flirty, open, inclusive site that caters to all types of kinks and interests.

20. Senior Match – Best for Singles Over 60

Pros:

• All user accounts monitored 24/7 to prevent bots
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Search results may show inactive profiles

Senior Match is ideal for LGBTQ+ seniors looking for a senior-friendly space to find local and worldwide matches. This dating service was specifically designed for singles who are 50+ but not specifically just for LGBTQ+ seniors. It is one of the easiest to use sites for senior folks who want to find love, meet new acquaintances, and hook up with mature singles.

It aims to create an inclusive and friendly online dating experience for senior people. Most of the people you will meet on this site are very inclusive and judgment-free. To prevent troll or bot accounts, Senior Match monitors all user accounts.

Gay Dating FAQ

What are the benefits of gay dating apps?

As stated by Pew Research Center, about 65 percent of people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual that have used online dating apps or sites say their experience was very or somewhat positive. Your odds should pretty much double for experiences on LGBTQ+-specific dating sites or apps.

Gay dating apps are a predominantly safe space to express yourself without any judgment—compared to generic dating apps.

And the best benefit is that there will be more LGBTQ+ people on gay dating apps, which means more of a chance to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Are gay dating sites and apps any different from heterosexual apps?

The only real (and important) difference is that gay dating sites have more features customized for LGBTQ+ people.

Examples of this are:

• If you’re trans, gay dating apps usually have sections for trans and nonbinary people to help you stay from any harassment.
• If you’re a gay woman, there is an app called HER designed solely for lesbians. You don’t have to worry about straight men pestering you needlessly.
• If you’re a gay man, there are preferences on gay dating apps to filter guys according to your type.

How safe are gay dating apps?

Gay dating apps are, for the most part, safe. But as you should do for any dating website or app, always exercise caution when meeting someone new. You can’t be sure who you’re talking to online. Remember that catfishing (the act of using someone else’s photos to create a new identity) is still a very real problem in this digital age.

If you live in a predominantly homophobic city, be careful with how fast you trust someone.

The safest thing to do is arrange your first meet-up in public. Or arrange a video call before your official first date.

Gay dating sites and apps are mostly safe, but there is always a potential for something bad to occur.

Are there any mainstream dating apps or websites that are gay-friendly?

The most gay-friendly mainstream dating site is OkCupid. It has an option that says, “I don’t want to see or be seen by straight people,” which makes it safe and gay-friendly. It even gives its users the option to state their gender identity and sexuality—having a designated profile area to define your pronouns.

Which app is the best for gay relationships?

If you’re gay, lesbian, or bisexual and looking for a healthy long-term relationship, the best gay dating site to try is eHarmony. It has a very unique algorithm that will match you to a near-perfect match, based on an 80-question personality quiz that you have to complete.

As you can tell from this review, there are so many gay dating apps and sites to choose from, but the best shot at finding true romance would be on eHarmony.

Gay Dating Tips

1.  Choose your dating app wisely.
If you’re looking for a fast hookup tonight, you probably should not waste your time on a website like OkCupid or eHarmony. And similarly, if you are looking for a long-term relationship, you probably won’t find that on an app like Grindr.

2.  Be open to dating outside your “type.”
People are picky when it comes to dating, but if there is one thing that is true in the dating world, it’s don’t judge a book by its cover. You don’t know what type of person has the keys to your heart—or your pants.

3.  It’s fine to be attracted to people who look or present themselves in a certain way.
But just try not to rule out an entire group of people because they don’t fit what you usually go for. When you are open to different identities, you will widen your options drastically and have more potential to meet someone who just fits with you.

4.  Don’t be crude or hateful.
You may not even realize it, but the amount of profiles that have such vile preferences listed in their bios is plentiful. Just because a certain race or body type is not your type, there is no need to be crude about it. Racism and body-shaming are a no-no in every space. In an LGBTQ+ space, people should be all the more inclusive. If someone isn’t your type, just be polite when shooting them down.

5.  Facetime or video call before you meet up for the first time.
Some may think this defeats the purpose of a “first date.” But think about it. . . Do you want to spend hours getting ready, anticipating the first time you lay eyes on each other and driving to the date spot, only to realize that you have no attraction or chemistry to this person?

If dating apps have taught us one thing, it’s that photos sometimes can be very deceiving. To combat this frustration, we suggest Facetime or video call before your first date.

Having a quick video call before your first date will:

• confirm they are who they say they are (safety first)
• give you a taste of how your chemistry will be
• reduce the stress—even if it’s a little—before meeting them in person
• get you even more excited about meeting them in real life

6.  Consider stating your HIV status.
Before things get more heated, consider telling your potential date about your HIV status. It’s something that everyone wants to know but is sometimes reluctant to say. Save yourself an awkward conversation later on and be honest about it. (Pro tip: Grindr has a section for HIV+ folks called “Poz.”)

7.  Discuss controversial topics on your first date.
Save the mundane conversation and questions for your online chatting. When you’re meeting in person, don’t be scared to discuss interesting and even controversial topics. To get to know someone and create a strong sense of comfortability and vulnerability, getting raw and personal is key. Taking risks is what dating is all about.

Dating is hard. That's just a fact. Dating while queer is often even harder. When you're a guy who's attracted to people of the same gender, there are simply fewer instances in which you can serendipitously meet somebody and experience that romantic spark. Which is why gay bars and other inclusive spaces have become such an important part of life for people in the LGBTQ+ community, including gay and bisexual men.

Of course, if you're a queer man looking for love, not every town has a gay bar that you can just head to whenever you're in the mood to get your flirt on. And in the pandemic, meeting and mixing with a lot of people in a public setting is out of the question.

Enter: The Apps. Whether you're looking for somebody fun to chat with, to swap photos, or make a connection with the goal of eventually meeting for a real-life date, we've got you covered. These are the 8 best LGBTQ-friendly dating and hookup apps for queer men. (When you find one you like and sign up for an account, make sure you follow these tips for taking a really great photo for your profile!)

Bonus: when you are ready for an-person meet-up with a person you met on one of these dating apps, check out our ideas for awesome first dates and second dates. You'll look like a total romantic genius without breaking the bank.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

Utilizamos cookies, próprios e de terceiros, que o reconhecem e identificam como um usuário único, para garantir a melhor experiência de navegação, personalizar conteúdo e anúncios, e melhorar o desempenho do nosso site e serviços. Esses Cookies nos permitem coletar alguns dados pessoais sobre você, como sua ID exclusiva atribuída ao seu dispositivo, endereço de IP, tipo de dispositivo e navegador, conteúdos visualizados ou outras ações realizadas usando nossos serviços, país e idioma selecionados, entre outros. Para saber mais sobre nossa política de cookies, acesse link.

Caso não concorde com o uso cookies dessa forma, você deverá ajustar as configurações de seu navegador ou deixar de acessar o nosso site e serviços. Ao continuar com a navegação em nosso site, você aceita o uso de cookies.

A BuzzFeed News investigation, in partnership with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, based on thousands of documents the government didn't want you to see.

If you did not move to Germany to reunite with your loved one, we have great news for you. According to a representative survey, every third German uses an online dating service. Those are great news for all the single expats out there. To fast-track your dating success in Germany, we reviewed the 19 best dating sites in Germany for you.

We focus on the best dating sites for serious relationships, the best dating apps, the best dating for gays and lesbians, and the best free dating sites in Germany.

Related Guide:Dating in Germany – Expat Guide

As per Statista, paid dating services are the most popular amongst Germans, followed by freemium dating apps.

What is the best dating site for serious relationships in Germany?

For those looking for a serious long-term relationship, quality dating is essential. Germans are willing to pay quite some money to find love. All sites listed below are only available in German. 

Here are our picks for the best dating site for serious relationships in Germany.

1. ElitePartner

ElitePartner is a leading dating site in Germany for serious relationships and we know several couples who have met through ElitePartner. They check every profile and only accept sign-ups that are interested in serious long-term relationships. They review every profile manually. ElitePartner focuses on academic singles; about 70% of its 3,8 million members have an academic degree. The personality test of ElitePartner takes around 20 minutes, and after a successful sign-up, you will already get matching suggestions. ElitePartner has 47% male and 53% female members.

ElitaPartner focuses on quality on every level; they offer Single Coaching, Flirt Seminars, and discounted photo shootings to increase your matching potential. However, the website and app are only available in German.

ElitePartner offers three different Premium models:

2. Parship

Parship is the most popular dating website in Germany, thanks to its aggressive marketing. They promise that every 11 minutes, a single is falling in love via Parship. Their focus is also long-term serious relationships. Parship targets educated and professional Singles. As per their 2021 couple survey, 94% of all Parship couples are satisfied or very satisfied with their relationship. The website and app are only available in German. Here are some more stats about Parship:

The sign-up process takes about 30 minutes and includes a personality test with 80 questions. Parship avoids fake profiles with its ID-check. You cannot view any pictures with the free basic version. 

Parship offers three different Premium models:

3. LoveScout24

LoveScout24 is another big dating site in Germany, with 6 million members. Their focus lies on flirts as well as on long-term relationships. Next to their website and app, they also offer Single Events. The website and member profiles are of high quality; however, you have to actively start your profile search. There is no auto-suggest. The website and app for Germany are only available in German.

Love Scout24 also has 200.000 gay members and a different portal secret.de, for discrete erotic casual dating. 

LoveScout24 offers various pricing models, depending on age and duration. Unlike the previous websites, membership starts already with one month.

LoveScout24 price example for 18-29-year-olds:

4. eDarling

eDarling is a favorite dating website in Germany. eDarling focuses on scientifically designed matching for long-term relationships. Anyone is welcome at eDarling as it doesn’t focus on a specific customer type. It has 2,6 million members with an equal ratio of men (48%) and women (52%) in Germany. 

All profiles get checked manually, which increases the quality of contacts and, therefore, chances to find serious relationships.

To create your profile and take the personality test, you should prepare around 40 minutes. With the free version, your usage is limited, and you only get the full potential with the Premium version, which offers great price-value and a free app.

eDarling has three different Premium models:

5. C-Date

C-Date is another big dating site in Germany, with 3.7 million members in Germany and 35 million members worldwide. Their focus lies on casual dating, open relationships, and affairs. Next to their website, C-Date is also available via their app. Anyone is welcome at C-Date and it offers a very active community. The application process happens via a responsive chat rather than a form and profiles get checked and pictures manually validated.

The unique feature of C-Date is that the premium version is free for women who are looking for men. Women looking for women or couples, however, have to pay, while men pay the highest premium.  

C-Date pricing for men example:

C-Date pricing for women looking for women or couples example:

6. NextLove

NextLove is a European dating site for single and divorced parents with more than 5 million users. It is also available via app and in English (🎉). The sign-up is quick and free, and you need to verify your profile with an SMS and one other method. NextLove also monitors new sign-ups to only have real users.

NextLove offers a premium and premium Plus model, giving you more possibilities to interact with other users.

What is the Best Dating App in Germany?

Compared to the mentioned German online dating sites above, dating apps take a lot less effort to sign up. There is no personality test or scientific matching algorithm. Dating apps tend to aim more for casual dating. However, that does not imply immediate one-night stands, as a survey from SimpleTexting uncovered. 

Dating Apps have two significant advantages over dating sites. They are all available in English, so they are ideal for expats in Germany. And they all operate on a freemium business model. The primary functions with which you can start dating are free; however, all apps also offer premium features via in-app purchases.

Here are our top picks for the best dating app in Germany.

1. Tinder

Tinder needs no introduction, as it is the largest international dating app with 66 million monthly active users in 190 countries. And yes, Tinder works in Germany as well. 

Be ready to upload your photos and start swiping left or right and find out whether you got a match from a future date. Once you get a match, you can begin writing direct messages. Tinder offers in-app purchases for premium features.

2. Lovoo

Lovoo is a direct Tinder competitor and works similarly. The main difference is that you can contact someone directly, without having to match first. You can browse profiles incognito with Lovoo’s ghost mode. Lovoo also offers a live video chat option.

Lovoo was founded in Dresden, Germany, and has 28 million users worldwide. With four stars from 43k reviews in the iOS App Store, Lovoo has the best review ratio from all listed dating apps in this article.

As you can see in the graphic below, Tinder and Badoo are fighting for the reign of being the most popular dating app in Europe. Lovoo, however, is the most popular and best dating app in Germany. 

3. Badoo

Badoo is another swiping contender and functions similar to Tinder. Badoo’s unique feature is that it shows you users who are near you and share similar interests. While swiping through the users, it also shows you whether you have met a user in real life and gives you an idea of the time and approximate location. 

4. OkCupid

OkCupid separates itself from the swiping apps by pushing a story feature that goes beyond just pictures. You can write messages at any time; however, women can only view a man’s first message if she has liked his profile beforehand. OkCupid is popular among LGBT+ Singles as well. 

5. Once

Once is a Swiss dating app, marketing itself as an app for those looking for a more serious relationship. As such, you can not swipe through unlimited pictures per day, but instead, you get one match sent to you every day at noon. Each person has 24 hours to like the match, should you both ‘like’ it, you can start to exchange messages.

6. Bumble

Bumble is a popular swiping app that attracts users with more serious intentions. Bumble empowers women to make the first step in terms of messaging. After she has received a match, she has 24h to send that first message. Men cannot send the first message and, in return, also only have 24h to reply to the first message. Otherwise, the match will expire.

7. Happn

Happn is a French dating app with a twist to it. The app only shows you, users, you have crossed paths with the same day, giving it an extra hint of excitement.

You can set the maximum distance (up to 90 km) for your match feed to show anyone in that area. Happn shows you how many times you have crossed paths and the place and time of your last encounter. If a user is in your set proximity, while you are online, the profile will show ‘NOW’, without offering you the exact location for privacy reasons. 

8. Candidate

Candidate is a unique gamified dating app founded in Austria. Their focus lies on personality rather than looks. You first have to answer questions other users send you. In return, you also pose your questions. If two users ‘like’ each other’s answers, you form a match and see each other’s pictures. Each question can have up to 300 characters and can be answered by five other users. You rate each answer and choose your top 3. These three then answer another question; you get to choose your top 2 for the final question out of their responses. 

What are the Best LGBTQ+ Dating sites and apps in Germany?

Parship and LoveScout24 also offer gay versions, and OkCupid is quite popular among the gay and lesbian community. There are, of course, dating sites and apps that exclusively focus on LGBTQ+ singles. Here are our top picks for the best dating app for gay and lesbian singles in Germany. 

1. PlanetRomeo

PlanetRomeo claims to have the world’s biggest community of gay, bi, and trans men. Whether you are looking for a hook-up or a serious relationship, Planet Romeo addresses both. 

2. Grindr

Grindr is a direct competitor to PlanetRomeo and, in exchange, claims to have grown the largest social networking app for gay, bi, and trans people. Grindr is almost exclusively popular among men and known for its fast hook-ups.

3. Lesarion

Lesarion is Germany’s biggest lesbian dating website and app. The design is still stuck in the last decade, but it claims to have the largest lesbian community in Germany. A big plus compared to other German dating websites is that Lesarion is also available in English. Next to the dating function, it also has a lively forum.

4. Zoe

Zoe is a global lesbian dating app with more than 3,9 million users. Compared to Lesarion, Zoe has a modern design and a better review ratio in the iOS App Store. At Zoe, you also swipe for a pass or a match.

What is the Best Free Dating Site in Germany?

Here is our pick for the best free dating site in Germany without a credit card. 

1. Finya

Finya is a 100% free German dating site, as it is financed through ads. You have the option to fill in a personality test after sign-up to get more compatible matches. Finya has over one million users and has won multiple awards. However, Finya is only available in German. 

Conclusion

With this extensive list of the best online dating sites in Germany, you are all equipped to choose the type of online dating that fits you most.

Related Guide:Dating in Germany – Expat Guide

To make sure you always have the best reception and never run out of data on your phone, we have written a guide for Germany’s best mobile network for you.

We wish you lots of fun and success! ❤️

Screenshots

Ratings and Reviews

The developer, Perry Street Software, Inc, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Supports

• 

  Family Sharing

  Some in‑app purchases, including subscriptions, may be shareable with your family group when Family Sharing is enabled.

More By This Developer

You Might Also Like

Dating is exhausting. We all know it. Luckily, there has been a surge of gay dating app sites and apps offering more opportunities and options than ever for the LGBTQ+ community.

But with all good things, there comes a gay dating app. Dating sites and apps are often gay dating app. You might come across people that aren’t looking for the same things you are, and it’s hard to filter it out at first glance.

There has been a rise in gay dating apps and sites. In 2022, there are approximately 1,500 dating apps. And according to MarketWatch, gay dating app, online dating has become the most popular way for LGBTQ+ people to date. Still, many gay dating websites and apps are all about sex, sex, and more sex. It can be difficult to narrow down and find an app that caters more to your personal preference—maybe you’re looking for a long-term relationship or a companion.

If you’re gay and are struggling to find dating apps that accommodate all walks of LGBTQ+ life, you’re in the right spot. Don’t lose hope. Keep reading to discover the 20 best gay dating sites and apps in 2022 for men, women, and queer folk. There is a little something for everyone, so hopefully, you’ll find your perfect match on one of these gay dating apps.

Best Gay Dating Sites and Apps in 2022

1. Men Nation – Best for fun dates and casual hookups
2. Adam4Adam – Best guys and user experience
3. eHarmony – Best matchmaking algorithm
4. Zoosk– Dating immature girl new generation Match.com
5. Scruff – Best for gay cubs and bears
6. Hornet – Best for international hookups
7. HER – Best for lesbians/gay women
8. Grindr – Best for sex and casual hookups
9. Elite Singles – Best for meeting professional singles
10. OkCupid – Best heterosexual app that is LGBTQ+ inclusive
11. Tinder – Best for an enormous user base
12. Hinge – Best for substantial relationships
13. Lex – Best for queer and nonbinary folks
14. Nuit – Best for folks into astrology
15. Jack’d – Best for diversity
16. Chappy – Best for meaningful connections
17. Silver Singles – Best for singles over 50
18. Our Time – Best for senior singles looking for companionship
19. BeNaughty – Best for gay dating app and casual physical relationships
20. Senior Match – Best for singles over 60

2.  Adam4Adam – Gay dating app Website Turned to App

Pros:

• Successfully running since 2003
• About 27 filter options to find your perfect match

Cons:

• High number of fake profiles and bots
• Interface is outdated and bland

Adam4Adam is good for gay singles because it’s similar to Grindr, but it’s been around for much longer and has been a pioneer for the gay online world. People usually use it for casual and sexual encounters, but there is a chance to meet a romantic match if that’s what you are searching for.

A4A offers an online sex shop and live cams that you can explore. But the only drawback of this website turned app is that there are many fake profiles, and its user base best casual hookup dating apps as high as apps like Grindr and Tinder.

3.  eHarmony – Best for Enhanced Matchmaking

Pros:

• 80-question personality quiz
• Ideal for long-term relationships

Cons:

• Expensive premium plans
• Lengthy sign-up gay dating app is great for gay singles looking for serious relationships. This site launched in 2000, designed for straight Christians, gay dating app. But over the years, this site has become more inclusive and now accepts the LGBTQ+ community. As of 2009, many LGBTQ+ folks have been finding their perfect match thanks to its elite matchmaking.

  If you’re serious about finding a long-term partner, paying for a premium plan will ensure you match with someone based on your values, ambitions, and dreams. It’s most definitely one of the best gay dating sites for finding real love, but it comes with an investment—so be ready to pay up.

  ---

  4.  Zoosk – Best New Generation Match.com

  

  Pros:

  • Very active users
  • Used in over 80 countries

  Cons:

  • Have to pay extra for additional features

  Zoosk is perfect for younger gay singles looking for relationships. If you’re in gay dating app early to mid-20s and not interested in casual hookups, this is the app you should be looking at. It’s designed in a unique cartoony UI to enjoy the dating process.

  It is one of the most popular dating sites with a community of 35 million users in 80 different countries. It’s open to singles of all ages, races, religions, gay dating app, and sexual orientations. It also provides verified profiles so you can be assured that you’re not interested in pursuing a bot or troll account.

  ---

  5.  Scruff – Best for Gay Cubs and Bears

  gay dating app for gay men (GTBQ community)

• Has a “Scruff Travel” feature available

Cons:

• Free membership means dealing with ads
• App crashes from time to time

Scruff is best suited for men in the GTBQ community looking for diverse types of men. It is one of the top-rated gay dating apps, and because it uses geolocation, it shows you hot singles near you. When searching for potential dates, it allows you to tick off one or multiple how to recognize and online dating scammer you are open to. These communities include bear, bisexual, cub, daddy, discreet, drag, jock, military, muscle, otter, poz, trans, and much more.

When you’re traveling, the app allows you to publish a travel agenda with your destination city, which means you can organize hookups when you arrive.

6.  Hornet – Best for International Hookups

Pros:

• Lots of features available to free users
• Huge user base

Cons:

• You need a Facebook or Google account to log in

Hornet is geared toward international gay men because this dating app was designed to be used in countries that aren’t LGBTQ+-inclusive. It has a community of 25 million users worldwide and is known as the “digital home” for the gay network.

Since it’s used in countries that aren’t quite liberal, gay dating app, it’s a way to be discreet and careful. But that doesn’t mean it’s not popular or high in demand. Hornet is a great app to meet foreign travelers, to hook up while vacationing in another country, or to find the international love of your life.

7.  HER – Best for Lesbians / Gay women

Pros:

• Messaging is all free and unlimited
• Matches based on location

Cons:

• App sometimes lags
• You need a Facebook or Instagram account to sign up

HER is the best gay dating app for queer women. Unfortunately, men consistently gay dating app queer women on dating apps. Even if you set your preferences to only women, there is a chance your potential may not be interested.

Enter HER. It gives the lesbian community an exclusive app. It’s designed solely for women, and the target audience is lesbian, queer, and bisexual women. It’s available in all major cities across 114 countries worldwide. This revolutionary app black motorcycle dating for queer women tired of the other mainstream dating sites.

8.  Grindr – Best for Sex articles on online dating Casual Hookups

Pros:

• Over 6 million users
• Free and widely known

Cons:

• Not for those looking for long-term romance
• App can lag

Grindr is the most popular gay dating app in the world, gay dating app. Even straight people have heard of it, gay dating app. Grindr is used in over 200 countries globally to find gay sex immediately. This app has gained a reputation for hooking up and casual sex and has become the go-to app for it.

The layout is geolocation-based, so you can instantly have access to sexy guys in your area, making quick sex easy to organize with the click of a few buttons. They’ve recently added sections for trans and nonbinary people, gay dating app. Unfortunately, Grindr is predominantly known for a certain type.

9.  Elite Singles – Best for Meeting Professional Singles

Pros:

• In-depth personality test to find the perfect match
• High-quality singles in the world

Cons:

• Limited-time free trial
• Website is more user-friendly than the app

Elite Singles is ideal for gay singles and is one of the top sites to find serious relationships between professionals. Since this site is a little high-end, it gay dating app you need to pay for its premium features. Most people on here are earning loads of money and looking for a serious long-term relationship.

Education is a crucial part of the personality test, and it has a direct bearing on gay dating app will contact you. For some, gay dating app, it may come gay dating app very snobby, but if we’re looking at the best dating sites and apps catered to every walk of life, this is the go-to for professionals.

10.  OkCupid – Best Heterosexual App That is LGBTQ+ Inclusive

Pros:

• LGBTQ+ inclusive with a large database
• Vast user base of people

Cons:

• Chance of catfishes
• Will only allow messaging if both people match

OkCupid is fantastic for gay singles that want to use a trustworthy dating app that is LGBTQ+ inclusive. Since OkCupid has been around since 2004 and has 30 million active users, it’s made many positive updates to cater to a wider range of people. Even though it was mainly designed for straight folks, it’s developed a strong following of LGBTQ+ people over the past few years. There are so many different pronouns and sexualities to choose from, giving you optimal choices that will meet your needs.

It just requires you to answer a lot of questions when you sign up to ensure that you match with someone who shares your exact values and ideals.

11.  Tinder – Best for Enormous User Base

Pros:

• User pool is huge
• Passport feature to change location—useful when traveling

Cons:

• Might come across bots
• 76 percent of users live in urban areas, so if you live anywhere rural you may have a smaller match pool

Tinder is the best hookup app for singles, but it is also a choice for LGBTQ+ folks looking for hookups or love. The prime reason why Tinder is a good choice to find people is gay dating app of its ginormous user base. It’s so popular that you will most likely find something close to what you’re looking for.

There are many exclusively gay dating apps—like Scruff and HER—but nothing beats Tinder for popularity. Its target audience is singles in the 18-34 year age bracket, so keep that in mind if you’re thinking of downloading this app.

12.  Hinge – Best for Substantial Relationships

Pros:

• Popular with millennials
• Matchmaking algorithm is top-notch

Cons:

Hinge is great for the younger LGBTQ+ community. This app is focused more on finding real romance and actual relationships. Its motto is that Hinge is “designed to be deleted.” In terms of LGBTQ+ folk, this app is for long-term dating and relationships.

This one is a mainstream dating app, gay dating app, so if you’re LGBT, gay dating app, be aware that you might not find what you’re looking for. Although the app does have very diverse profiles located in your local vicinity, gay dating app, there is always a chance that you won’t find gay dating app your type because it does not specifically cater to the LGBTQ+ community.

13.  Lex – Best for Queer and Nonbinary Folks

Pros:

• Many identities to browse from—including genderfluid
• Unique interface

Cons:

Lex is great for queer and nonbinary folks who are nonconforming and looking for like-minds. While most dating apps are picture-focused, Lex is a unique experience altogether, gay dating app. It prides itself on an early 2000s interface with a Craigslist-style design to post your profile.

You can find people who care about the same dating sites for people over 40 as you and are interested in similar things in your local area. Not only is it very inclusive, but this app also has a zero-tolerance policy towards hate speech or creepiness. If you’re interested in a unique interface and want to find nonconforming folks, similar to yourself, this app is the best gay dating app for that.

14.  Nuit – Best for LGBTQ+ Folks into Astrology

Pros:

• Multiple pronouns and sexuality options
• Great if you’re into birth charts and astrology

Cons:

• No point if you are not interested in astrology

Nuit is the best dating app for gay folks adult sex dating alt are into astrology. Zodiac, birth charts, cosmic energy, and astrology are a growing interest for many people in 2022, and this app is for them specifically.

It’s a great way to find gay friends and love interests in your area who share your love for astrology. This app is super inclusive and gives you so many options that you are bound to meet someone with the same energy and interests as you.

15.  Jack’d – Best for Diversity

Pros:

• Worldwide community of 180 countries
• Most inclusive for queer people of color

Cons:

• Available only as a mobile app

Jack’d is the best diverse bi, gay, queer, and trans dating app. It has a global community of 5 million members in over 180 countries. The main goal of this gay app is inclusivity. It aims to create a community that brings together diverse LGBTQ+ members to meet, gay dating app, make friends, and develop deep connections, whether it be friendships or romantic relationships.

Similar to Tinder and Grindr, Jack’d is location-based. It offers a free version and also has a paid version. This app is globally the most diverse gay dating app.

16.  Chappy – Best for Meaningful Connections

Pros:

• Free with no annoying trial periods
• Adjust preferences to casual friendship or serious relationships

Cons:

Chappy is wonderful for gay men looking for substantial connections. In 2018, the shareholders of Bumble—a popular mainstream dating app—took over Chappy, making Chappy Bumble’s certified counterpart for gay dating.

It was created to make a comfortable and safe dating space for gay men. In an attempt to add some type of vulnerability and emotional value, Chappy gives the members the freedom to choose their matches according to their interests. It’s only available in limited areas, and it has a 100 percent gay membership, with a vast majority of them between the ages of 18 to 34.

17.  Silver Singles – Best for Singles Over gay dating app src="https://i2.wp.com/chicagoreader.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/image035-3.png?fit=600%2C400&ssl=1" alt="" width="600" height="400">

Pros:

• 100 percent dedicated to singles that are 50 years and older
• Easy-to-use interface

Cons:

Silver Singles is great for gay singles over gay dating app years old. It is one of the largest online dating websites for singles over this age group. It caters to people looking for new friendships, casual dating, or serious relationships. Whether gay dating app single, divorced, separated, gay dating app, or widowed, you’ll find singles with all types of life stories.

If you’re LGBTQ+ and over 50 years old, Silver Singles is a great dating app to find whatever you’re looking for. It offers more mature singles a platform to enjoy serious senior dating with no judgment or discrimination. And everything is available on a mobile app if you prefer your smartphone.

18.  Our Time – Best for Senior Singles Looking for Companionship

Pros:

• Three-day free trial
• 14-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

• You have to have a paid subscription to send messages

Our Time is best for senior gay or lesbian people looking for anything from friendships to relationships. Its main goal is to provide men and women in their 50s an opportunity to meet others for conversation and meaningful connections. You can also search for pen-pals, friends, or companionship.

Dating demographics suggest that adults over the age of 50 are becoming more active in the online dating world. But unfortunately, there aren’t too many dating apps that cater to their needs specifically. Our Time combats gay dating app by providing a comfortable and safe place for singles over 50 to find love or friendship.

19.  BeNaughty – Best for Kinky and Casual Physical Relationships

Pros:

• Profiles explicitly state what people are looking for
• Very user-friendly

Cons:

• Men cannot reply to messages unless they have a paying gay dating app is a great app for LGBTQ+ who are kinky gay dating app in search of casual physical relationships. It is different from other dating sites because of its transparency. With other dating sites and apps, a user’s intention may not always be clear. But with BeNaughty, every user’s intention is targeted towards casual fun.

  It has a diverse range of members who are open-minded and non-judgmental. It caters towards LGBTQ+ folks by its search functions which help gay dating app narrow down your selections by adjusting your preferences. BeNaughty is a flirty, open, inclusive site that caters to all types of kinks and interests.

  ---

  20. Senior Match – Best for Singles Over 60

  

  Pros:

  • All user accounts monitored 24/7 to prevent bots
  • Easy to use

  Cons:

  • Search results may show inactive profiles

  Senior Match is ideal for LGBTQ+ seniors looking for a senior-friendly space to find local and worldwide matches. This dating service was specifically designed for singles who are 50+ but not specifically just for LGBTQ+ seniors. It is one of the easiest to use sites for senior folks who want to find love, meet new acquaintances, and hook up with mature singles.

  It aims to create an inclusive and friendly online dating experience for senior people. Most of the people you will meet on this site are very inclusive and judgment-free. To prevent troll or bot accounts, Senior Match monitors all gay dating app accounts.

  ---

  Gay Dating FAQ

  

  
  What are the benefits of gay dating apps?

  
  As stated by Pew Research Center, about 65 percent of people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual that have used online dating apps or sites say their experience was very or somewhat positive. Your odds should pretty much double indian women dating nyc experiences on LGBTQ+-specific dating sites or apps.

  Gay dating apps are a predominantly safe space to express yourself without any judgment—compared to generic dating apps.

  And the best benefit is that there will be more LGBTQ+ people on gay dating apps, which means more of a chance to find exactly what you’re looking for.

  Are gay dating sites and apps any different from heterosexual apps?

  
  The only real (and important) difference is that gay dating sites have more features customized for LGBTQ+ people.

  Examples of this are:

  • If you’re trans, gay dating apps usually have sections for trans and nonbinary people to help you stay from any harassment.
  • If you’re a gay woman, gay dating app, there is an app called HER gay dating app solely for lesbians. You don’t have to worry about straight men pestering you needlessly.
  • If you’re a gay man, there are preferences on gay dating apps to filter guys according to your type.

  How safe are gay dating apps?

  Gay dating apps are, for the most part, gay dating app, safe. But as you should do for any dating website or app, always exercise caution when meeting someone new. You can’t be sure who you’re talking to online. Remember that catfishing (the act of using someone else’s photos to create a new identity) is still a very real problem in this digital age.

  If you live in a predominantly homophobic city, be careful with how fast you trust someone.

  The safest thing to do is arrange your first meet-up in public. Or arrange a video call before your official first date.

  Gay dating sites and apps are mostly safe, but there is always a potential for something bad to occur.

  Are there any mainstream dating apps or websites that are gay-friendly?

  The most gay-friendly mainstream dating site is OkCupid. It has an option that says, “I don’t want to see or be seen by straight people,” which makes it safe and gay-friendly. It even gives its users the option to state their gender identity and sexuality—having a designated profile area to define your pronouns.

  Which app is the best for gay relationships?
  
  If you’re gay, lesbian, or bisexual and looking for a healthy long-term relationship, the best gay dating site to try is eHarmony, gay dating app. It has a very unique algorithm that will match you to a near-perfect match, based on an 80-question personality quiz that you have to complete.

  As you can tell from this review, there are so many gay dating apps and sites to choose from, but the best shot at finding true romance would be on eHarmony.

  Gay Dating Tips

  

  
  1.  Choose your dating app wisely.
  If you’re looking for a fast hookup tonight, you probably should not waste your time on a website like OkCupid or eHarmony, gay dating app. And similarly, if you are looking for a gay dating app relationship, you probably won’t find that on an app like Grindr.

  2.  Be open to dating outside your “type.”
  People are picky when it comes to dating, but if there is one thing that is true in the dating world, it’s don’t judge a book by its cover. You don’t know what type of person has the keys to your heart—or your pants.

  3.  It’s fine to be attracted to people who look or present themselves in a certain way.
  But just try not to rule out an entire group of people because they don’t fit what you usually go for. When you are open to different identities, you will widen your options drastically and have more potential to meet someone who just fits with you.

  4.  Don’t be crude or hateful.
  You may not even realize it, but the amount of profiles that have such vile preferences listed in their bios is plentiful. Just because a certain race or body type is not your type, there is no need to be crude about it. Racism and body-shaming are a no-no in every space. In an LGBTQ+ space, people should be all the more inclusive. If someone isn’t your type, just be polite when shooting them down.

  5.  Facetime or video call before you meet up for the first time.
  Some may think this defeats the purpose of a “first date.” But think about it. . Do you want to spend hours getting ready, anticipating the first time you lay eyes on each other and driving to the date spot, only to realize that you have no attraction or chemistry to this person?

  If dating apps have taught us one thing, it’s that photos sometimes can be very deceiving. To combat this frustration, we suggest Facetime or video call before your first date.

  Having a quick video call before your first date will:

  • confirm they are who they say they are (safety first)
  • give you a taste of how your chemistry will be
  • reduce the stress—even if it’s a little—before meeting them in person
  • get you even more excited about meeting them in real life

  6.  Consider stating your HIV status.
  Before things get more heated, consider telling your potential date about your HIV status. It’s something that everyone wants to know but is sometimes reluctant to say. Save yourself an awkward conversation later on and be honest about it. (Pro tip: Grindr has a section for HIV+ folks called “Poz.”)

  7.  Discuss controversial topics on your first date.
  Save the mundane conversation and questions for your online chatting. When you’re meeting in person, don’t be scared to discuss interesting and even controversial topics. To get to know someone and create a strong sense of comfortability and vulnerability, getting raw and personal is key. Taking risks is what dating is all about.