Category: All Gay

Queer Social App Lex Gets a New CEO and $5.6M to Grow

Posted on October 3, 2023

Lex logoTECH CRUNCH – Lex, an app inspired by vintage lesbian personals, has secured $5.6M in seed funding. The app's co-founder, Jennifer Lewis, has been promoted from COO to CEO, while the founding CEO, Kel Rakowski, becomes the chief creative officer. Michelle Parsons, previously from Hinge, has been appointed as the chief product officer. The app is popular among the LGBTQIA+ community in major cities like New York and LA, offering a platform for various social interactions beyond just dating. Recently, the app underwent a redesign emphasizing community over just hookups. The new funds will be used for expansion. Their monetization strategy will differ significantly from major platforms like Facebook or TikTok, emphasizing in-person meet-ups over prolonged app usage.

by Harri Weber
See full article at Tech Crunch

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eharmony Launches New Features for LGBTQ Users

Posted on August 17, 2023

Eharmony partnered with GLAAD to better serve LGBTQ datersMASHBALE – eharmony, in collaboration with LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD, has expanded its platform to better cater to LGBTQ daters. The dating site now offers an extended list of genders and the option to display or hide this information on user profiles. Following a 2020 redesign and inclusive ad campaigns, the platform saw a 31% increase in LGBTQ membership from 2022 to 2023. Alex Schmider from GLAAD and eharmony's COO, Gareth Mandel, both emphasized the platform's commitment to inclusion.

by Anna Iovine
See full article at Mashable

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Half of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Adults Have Used Online Dating

Posted on June 27, 2023

Her icon 2019PEW RESEARCH CENTER – A 2022 Pew Research survey reveals that 51% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults have used online dating, compared to 28% of straight adults. Younger LGB adults are more likely to use online dating than their older counterparts. Popular apps among LGB users include Tinder, HER, and Grindr. Experiences are mixed, with 61% reporting positive experiences, but many also encountering negative behaviors such as unsolicited explicit messages. Opinions are divided on the overall impact of online dating on relationships within the LGB community.

by Risa Gelles-Watnick
See full article at Pew Research Center

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Grindr Launches Web Version

Posted on May 11, 2023

Grindr logo 2022FAST COMPANY – Grindr is introducing a web version for paying users to access the platform on desktop computers. The web version, known as "Grindr Web," features larger photos and the ability to view six profiles at a time while chatting and browsing potential matches. Initially available to "XTRA" and Unlimited subscribers, Grindr Web may expand to non paying users during its beta phase.

by Jessica Bursztynsky
See full article at Fast Company

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Grindr Founder Joel Simkhai Shares His Favorite App Stories

Posted on May 11, 2023

Motto logoOUT – Joel Simkhai, the founder of Grindr, shares memorable stories from users of the iconic dating app and discusses his latest venture, a new LGBTQ+ dating app called Motto. While acknowledging the shortcomings of existing apps, Simkhai aims to create a more authentic and personal experience with Motto by requiring three face photos and encouraging users to provide detailed information on their profiles. The app focuses on fostering connections while combating racism, transphobia, and hatred. Motto has launched in NYC and plans to expand across the United States.

by Ricky Cornish
See full article at Out Magazine

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‘Keep Lex Filthy’: Users React to Queer Dating App’s New Direction

Posted on February 2, 2023

Lex logoTECH CRUNCH – Lex, the hookup and social app that launched in 2019 with a nod to lesbian personal ads from the '80s, wants to change the look and direction. Come users fear that Lex will scrub away its beloved raunchy essence. The text-based service grew over the past few years into a queer community – a place for women, trans, genderqueer and nonbinary people to announce meetups, find concert tickets, share poetry, crack in-jokes or simply cruise. Lex publicized its redesign on January 26, emphasizing its role in helping people find "LGBTQ+ friends & queer community." A press release laid out the app's evolution "from a dating app to a vibrant social platform," while an Instagram post from the company highlighted a shift from personal ads toward group chats and meetups.

by Harri Weber
See full article at Tech Crunch

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Indian Matchmaking Opens up for LGBT Community

Posted on September 6, 2022

RainbowLuv logoMONEYCONTROL – Eyeing the LGBTQIA+ community, Matrimony.com has launched a platform called RainbowLuv which lets users look for serious relationships unlike casual matches offered by online dating apps. The idea came from a member of the LGBT community who went up to the company's chief product officer at a conference urging them to open up matchmaking for the community. The new platform is similar to their other matrimony apps which let users give detailed information for their profile. In addition, users can specify if they are looking for hook-ups or serious relationships. Then there is government-approved ID verification.

by Maryam Farooqui
See full article at Moneycontrol

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Founder of Blued Steps Down

Posted on August 22, 2022

Blued for social mediaSCMP – Ma Baoli is vacating his roles as CEO and chairman. He announced the change with a post to his personal WeChat account. "We have turned ideals into reality and made something impossible possible," Ma wrote, hinting at the difficulties of running a business catering to the LGBTQ community in a country where gay marriage is not legal and the government has taken an increasingly stringent stance against content depicting same-sex relationships. BlueCity grew revenue to reach $107.2M in 2019, the year before going public on the Nasdaq in July 2020, reaching a valuation of ~$800M. However, profitability has proven elusive as the space for LGBTQ groups online in China has shrunk in recent years. BlueCity has not announced a successor for Ma, but a company representative said it would "fulfill its obligation to disclose the information in a timely manner".

by Coco Feng
See full article at SCMP

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Hinge Launches LGBTQ Dating Guide to Answer

Posted on August 10, 2022

Hinge logo for social mediaMASHABLE – Hinge has a new FAQ guide full of advice specifically about LGBTQ dating. The NFAQ (Not-so-Frequently Asked Questions) guide is full of answers to questions relating to LGBTQ dating and identity, including how to navigate dating when you're not quite ready to come out.

by Shannon Connellan
See full article at Mashable

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Newborn Town to Finish Privatizing BlueCity

Posted on August 2, 2022

BlueCity logoPANDAILY – The privatization of LGBTQ platform BlueCity is nearing completion. It will be controlled by Metaclass Management, a fund owned by Chinese social networking product developer Newborn Town. The buyer group includes Metaclass Management, BlueCity's founder Ma Baoli, and CDH Investment. According to the agreement, BlueCity will be acquired for $3.20/share and the transaction valuation is $60M. BlueCity's operating income in 2021 was $169M.

See full article at Pandaily

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