It seems like there's a mobile app for just about everything nowadays even ones that can help you find that special someone. Although dating apps are great for finding new partners, they can also provide a platform for discriminatory language and behaviors, which can eventually lead to negative health outcomes. In this presentation, I'm going to combine data from qualitative interviews with gay men and actual language used on dating app profiles to shed light on how discrimination on these dating apps translates to negative health outcomes. Many LGBTQ folks rely on various technologies to connect with one another including LGBTQ youth but then face discrimination from those within their own community. Join me as I try to brainstorm solutions and reimagine the future of inclusive dating apps.

1. “It’s Just a Preference":
Dating Apps,
Discrimination, and
LGBTQ Health
BY NICK NEWTON
YTH – SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY

2. Backstory

3. The Data
• In-person interviews with 6 self-described feminine gay men
• San Francisco Bay Area
• Main idea à when gay men express their femininity, they
simultaneously break gender norms AND reproduce social
inequalities (e.g., racism, classism , sexism, etc.)
• But how do dating apps come into the conversation?

4. “Masc4Masc”
“A lot of guys will tend to shame people who don't fit
this masculine, white athletic ideal. A lot of ‘masc4masc,’
which is basically a nice way of saying, ‘I identify as
masculine…I think I'm masculine, but I'm only looking
for masculine people, and don't waste my time if you're
not!’’
Thomas (24, gay/queer, and white)

5. “Gender Bendy”
“Very rarely will I have…criticism around or from other
gay men. I forgot what happened…Grindr or
something…I sent a photo of me with other friends…I
was in short shorts and a sweatshirt and I had a boot
chunk heel thing on. So, it was very ‘gender bendy.’ He
said something like, ‘the heels threw me off.’ I don't have
time or space in my life for that, so I just automatically
offed them…Absolutely not…Those are not heels—those
are booties. You haven't seen nothing yet. I'm almost
thirty now, and I don't have any patience for that.
Patience is hard to come by in the first place, let alone
people with that state of mind.”
James (29, gay, and white)

6. “I date guys—not girls.”
“On Grindr you see it all the time. You see it all the time on
online dating this whole like...Just being blatantly racist, and
there's this instance where I was talking to one guy and he
was like, ’I really wanna go on a date with you.’ This is great,
but then I told him, ‘Hey! I'm a drag queen.’ And he's like,
‘Really?’ And I'm like, ‘Yeah, you wanna see some pictures?’ I
showed him some pictures, and he was like, ‘You know…I
don't think I can do this.’ I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ He's
like, ‘I'm gay for a reason.’ I was like, ‘What do you mean?’
He's like, ‘You're a drag queen. I date guys—not girls.’”
Marco (18, gay, and Mexican)

7. “I was over it.”
“I get asked that question quite a bit actually on these dating apps. That's my qualifier out. It's just...I
remember talking to one guy…and he was cute actually. (laughs) We were just talking, and I think we
matched on Tinder or something, and what I liked about him was that he messaged me first. That's
always a good sign…So just talking to him and being flirty, going through the motions. He asked, ‘Are
you masculine or feminine?’ I don't know exactly what he asked--it was something along those lines. I
remember just hitting him back with, ‘Why should that matter?’ and then he's like, ‘So you're
feminine?’…I was over it. ‘Okay. Cool. I mean, have a good one.’ I don't know what else to say, so I just
didn't…That was kinda it. Might have been a troll. I don't know. I don't think so cuz he was sharing
some things that were pretty personal that I would think an online troll wouldn't go into detail
on…There was something there. There was another human on the other end, but that was that.”
Vincent (26, gay, Spanish, and Hawaiian)

8. Online Disinhibition

13. A Vicious Cycle
Open dating
app
Search for partner
Unsatisfying
interactions
Negative feelings
Leave dating app
Feelings of loneliness and distress

14. LGBTQ Youth Health
• So how do gay men on dating apps relate to LGBTQ youth and health outcomes?
• Cyberbullying à severe negative health outcomes for young people
• Growing up with Grindr à access to these technologies during sexual development
• Mental Health Rates à disproportionately impaired for LGBTQ youth
• Main takeaway à “we” cannot normalize nor ignore the discrimination that takes place on
these dating apps
• We must not only continue these conversations but also include young people in these
discussions!

15. Your thoughts?
• Advantages and disadvantages to using dating apps?
• How does user experience differ across various dating apps?
• What are some responses to discriminatory language and/or behavior on these apps?
• How do you think dating apps relate to health outcomes?
• Who should be held accountable for this type of online discrimination?
• How can these apps promote inclusivity?
• What are some resources for those affected by this discrimination?
• How would you describe “the perfect dating app?”

16. Thank you for your
time!
Feel free to reach out and email me at:
nick@yth.org
References available upon request!