There are many dating apps and websites that offer a variety of options for LGBTQ+ folks. For example, eHarmony is dedicated to finding long-term relationships through its elite matchmaking service.
The website is free to join, but premium members can start conversations and send a personal message for a fee. Another option is SilverSingles, which caters to older gay men looking for serious dates and relationships.
Grindr
Since its 2009 launch, Grindr has pioneered geosocial-based dating and maintains one of the largest queer communities online. But the app’s reputation as a hookup service has made it less attractive to men seeking long-term love, leading them to turn to other apps like Jack’d and Scruff.
Grindr users are shown profiles of men in their area in a grid that uses your device’s GPS to find other members nearby. When you tap a profile, you can see the member’s full picture and begin a chat. The app also allows you to save phrases so you don’t have to type them out every time.
The app also includes a reminder to test for HIV and provides a safe space for gay men to connect. However, it has been plagued by controversy and is not ideal for finding a life partner.
OkCupid
OKCupid is one of the more established dating sites, gaining a trusted reputation with over 20 years in business. They’re known for their extensive personality test, which measures over 60 dimensions of compatibility. They’re also among the most inclusive sites, partnering with impactful nonprofit organizations and offering over 20 gender and sexual orientation options.
The site also provides detailed advice on how to stay safe online, including ensuring that photos are authentic and reporting suspicious profiles. It uses your email address to verify new devices, and a code is required to sign in from different locations. If you’re concerned about privacy, OkCupid offers a subscription that allows you to block or limit messages from matched users. However, you can cancel your subscription at any time without contacting customer support.
Lex
Like a lesbian personal ad on steroids, Lex is a lo-fi queer dating and social app that puts text first. Unlike most other gay dating apps, it doesn’t feature photos, but does allow users to link to their Instagram accounts (if they choose).
Lex is designed for “lesbian, bisexual, asexual, womxn, trans, genderqueer, intersex, and two-spirit people for platonic, romantic, and sexual relationships”—and it’s a safe space for LGBTQ communities of color. The app also has a number of features to protect users from creeps.
The app originally started out as an Instagram account called Personals and recently launched a dedicated mobile experience on iOS and Android. It’s free to use, and posts can be for anything from hookups to kink arrangements. Users can even post anonymously.
Bumble
Bumble is a mobile dating app that gives women the power to start conversations. When a match is made, the woman must send the first message within 24 hours. Otherwise, the match will expire. Men can also extend the time limit if they want to continue a conversation with a matched user.
This feature of the app is meant to break down gender stereotypes and empower women. It also cuts down on the number of perverts and creeps (let’s call them nasty bees) that harass women on other dating apps.
While Bumble has resulted in long-term relationships(opens in a new tab) and marriages, it hasn’t been as successful as Tinder in terms of hookups. It is still popular, however, with 42 million users in 2020.