For the queer community, dating can sometimes feel like navigating a maze while wearing a blindfold in search of a needle in a haystack. If you’ve had your fill of looking for love in all the “usual” places, like bars, clubs, and local queer meet-up groups, maybe it’s time to turn to online dating. In the digital world, gay dating sites are like your favorite neighborhood hangouts, sitting in the palm of your hand or ready to greet you on your computer screen.
Regardless of what letter of the LGBTQ+ community’s “alphabet soup” you identify with, there’s a dating app just for you. Whether you’re looking for friendship, romance, a one-night-stand, or just a casual chat, you can find it all and more in our complete guide to LGBTQ+ dating apps.
Lesbian Dating Apps
Her – “Created by queer women for queer women and gender-diverse people,” Her is a FLINTA-friendly, (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Trans and Agender) space. It’s for anyone who is not a cisgender male, where sapphics can connect, date, chat, or meet.
Fem – Hey Tik Tok lovers! Fem is your online spot for connecting with other lesbians through video profiles. Say goodbye to endless scrolling, as Fem lets you make authentic connections with real faces and voices, without the need for swipe decisions.
Lesly – Helping you find dates, hookups or romance, Lesly works much like the original Tinder, where you can swipe your way to connections. Plus, the app’s team verifies user profiles, so you can trust that you’re matching with real people.
Pink Cupid – Part of an international dating family for nearly 20 years, with more than 30 sites, Pink Cupid is where you go when “the girl just wants to have options.” It’s the “veteran” among dating sites with success stories that make you believe that anyone can find their true love.
Only Women – Only Women brings together cis and trans women, and anyone who identifies as lesbian. They’re inclusive, welcoming people from all backgrounds, as long as they don’t identify as male, making it a safe space for nonbinary individuals.
Gay Men Dating Apps
Scruff – While not exclusive, Scruff is geared toward men seeking men and is one of the top rated, most reliable dating apps. With it you can easily create your profile, add photos, and search for other guys by location and mutual interests.
Grindr – As “the largest social networking app for the gay community,” Grindr is also the country’s #1 dating app. While it does market to the LGBTQ+ community as a whole, it has the reputation for being a gay man’s dating site, as that’s how it started in 2009.
Hornet – Hornet proudly claims that it’s the “world’s ultimate gay social network,” where it’s easy for gay, bi, and curious guys to connect. They can find men nearby who they can follow, message, or meet up with for friendship, a date, “casual sex,” or something more.
GROWLr – As the premier social network for the “Bear” community, GROWLr is one of the rare gay dating and social apps that has live streaming. It’s a unique way to instantly connect and engage with other bears. It’s a furry, fun, and a completely free experience
MenNation – MenNation is a popular gay hookup site that’s packed with features like chat rooms, webcams, and even online courses for those who want to level up. If you’re into quick and casual sexual encounters and a bit of spicy video chatting, MenNation is your playground.
Surge – No matter who you are or who floats your boat, your potential “Mr. Right” or “Mr. Right Now” is “just a swipe away” on Surge. Check out profiles of nearby guys, swipe right if they make you smile, and swipe left if they don’t. Once you match, you can start chatting.
Chappy – Chappy, backed by another dating app, Bumble, is here with a genuine and hassle-free way for gay men to connect. They’ve got a unique sliding scale that lets you share what you’re looking for in a relationship, from “Cute” to “Sexy.”
Trans Dating Apps
TSmatch – TSMatch is “your very normal trans dating platform,” providing users the opportunity to get to know each other, build friendships, and find meaningful relationships. They also have profile and search features to connect you with the perfect match, regardless of what you’re looking for.
Fiorry – “Consent and Respect” is the Fiori motto. As the leading dating app for transgender people and their cisgender allies, they’ve built the app from the ground up “to be a safe space for people seeking a modern dating culture that celebrates diversity.”
My Transgender Cupid – My Transgender Cupid is where trans women (M2F) and cis men come together to find that lasting love. Their app is about making transgender dating easy, for trans women and men who want a real, meaningful relationship with a trans woman.
TransgenderDate – With a goal of “making it possible for you to meet local transgender singles in your area,” TransgenderDate is where you can find a friend, find a date, or find love. It’s up to you. You control who contacts you and how they contact you.
TSER – “Created by transgenders for transgenders,” TSER understands the dating challenges of the community. On TSER, you can dive into the dating scene without fear of discrimination. It’s a total judgment-free zone where building a supportive community is what matters most.
LGBTQ+ Exclusive Dating Apps
Jack’d – Built primarily, but not exclusively for queer people of color, Jack’d is where you find gay, bi-sexual males, and transgenders. You can set up a profile, throw in some pictures, and browse profiles from all over the world or your nearby area to chat, date, or meet for more.
Taimi – A place for “fluid dating,” Taimi has three core values that define their brand: discovery, diversity, and fluidity. It’s free for the basic version with premium membership options. Bottom line, Taimi is a LGBTQ+ dating and social networking app that is a safe space to be yourself.
Lex – Lex is a text-based app where queer, trans, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary folks can connect. It’s like newspaper personal ads, where it’s the words you use to describe ourselves, not just how you look. So, you can say goodbye to the superficial stuff!
LGBTQ+ Friendly Dating Apps
Match – The dating platform that’s been bringing people together for ages, Match is like a giant mix-and-mingle party where you can meet all kinds of people. With its massive user base, it’s a bit like exploring a city of potential dates in your search for that special someone.
Tinder – The swiping app, where you can swipe right for “yes” and left for “no” on potential matches, Tinder is super quick and easy, kind of like speed-dating in the digital world. Whether you’re looking for something serious or just a casual chat, you can find it and more on Tinder.
Hinge – Different from other dating apps, Hinge only matches you with friends of friends so you know the connection is legit. It’s the go-to app in forming meaningful connections through questions that help you get to know potential matches on a deeper level.
Bumble – Originally designed for “women to make the first move” within 24 hours in heterosexual matches, for same sex matches, either person has 24 hours to make the first move. So, if you need a running clock as incentive to connect, this may be the app for you.
Elite Singles – EliteSingles is about smart online dating. Based on what you like in relationships, your education, where you live, and your personality, you receive 3-7 “match suggestions” per day to help make your search more streamlined.
Zoosk – Unlike other dating apps, Zoosk uses SmartPick technology that “learns” what kind of profiles you’re into and suggests matches. Based on personality assessments, it matches you with people you’re likely to want to date. Plus, you get to decide how much you share.
Black People Meet – As the premier dating site for the African American community, BlackPeopleMeet keeps things simple, safe, and fun. Here, you can easily check out, chat, and plan dates with black singles near you. Say goodbye to juggling multiple dating sites.
Silver Singles – As its name suggests, SilverSingles is exclusively for folks 50+. Whether you’re looking for a partner for companionship or a deep connection, it matches you with compatible singles based on your values and interests.
OKCupid – OkCupid began as an app for straight couples, but have added plenty of LGBTQ+ friendly options for gender identity and sexual orientation. Profiles on OKCupid go deeper than most dating sites, so it may be easier to find a match who can share your vibe.
AdultFriendFinder (AFF) – Are you looking for “dates with benefits” that has a little spice and adventure on the side? AdultFriendFinder is like a playground for grown-ups where you can let your desires run wild while making your dating journey a thrilling ride.
Feeld – Dubbed “the dating app for open-minded individuals,” Feeld is not your daddy’s dating app. It’s designed for individuals and couples looking to embrace their unique relationship dynamics, whether that’s threesomes, polyamory, or other unconventional connections.
Bounce – When you’re in the mood for a date, you “check in,” on Bounce and bam, you’re instantly connected with nearby singles. You get a minute to decide if you’re up for it, and if so, the app picks a cool spot for you to meet. May be a good fit for adventurous types.
Online Dating Apps: Matches Made in LGBTQ+ Heaven
In the world of online dating apps, it’s a rainbow of possibilities for the LGBTQ+ community! From forming friendships, finding dates, and looking for soulmates, to diving into casual hookups, threesomes, and polyamorous connections, these apps run the gamut of dating adventures. Consider it your own digital cupid! They put customized dating at your fingertips, giving you the freedom to tailor your experience. And, most importantly, these apps create a safe space from the comfort of your home, where you can connect with the queer community.
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Also, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or hom*ophobia while visiting Florida and beyond, but we make no guarantees. Please inform us if you experience discrimination or hom*ophobia while visiting any destination so we can make updates to our recommendations.
