I couldn’t choose a category because it’s all of them. The ads are ridiculous, the app does not work the way it should (not in the technical sense, but in the concept of Grindr itself), it is difficult to find my “type” (here is the issue with the user base), moderation, safety & privacy, and the XTRA/Unlimited features. Grindr is failing and has become unrecognizable as the once beloved app for gay men and all LGBTQ users. Let’s review how the app is advertised on the App Store, described as, “Grindr is the world's #1 free dating app serving the LGBTQ community. If you're gay, bi, trans, queer, or even just curious, Grindr is the best and easiest way to meet new people for friendships, hookups, dates, and whatever else you're looking for. On a trip? Grindr is an indispensable tool for LGBTQ travelers-log in to meet locals and get recommendations for bars, restaurants, events, and more. With Grindr in your pocket, you'll always be connected to other LGBTQ people around you and have your finger on the pulse of what's happening.”

For starters, Grindr is no longer a gay dating app. Especially apparent in my area, there are many straight men who refuse to identify with the LGBTQ community, insist on dating women (their definition includes transwomen, sissy fems, and passable crossdressers). However, they continue to use language that is no longer politically correct and refuse to learn more about these cultures. Similarly, straight men take up gay kinks without understanding the rich history and responsibility that comes as being a “dom” in certain fetishes. There is a blatant disregard for the LGBTQ community. I will point out that I have come across plenty of straight men who are more responsible in their usage of this app. Furthermore, there is discrimination happening across sexual orientations and gender identities. The block and reporting features are useful and helpful, but why is Grindr making the users 100% responsible for making these observations. Why can’t Grindr make more of a point to promote educational items to its users rather than pointless, ridiculously long, advertisements. I don’t want to pick on any group here, so for this one I will point out the gay guys. Transgender people are very much allowed and should be welcomed on this app! It is literally in the app description. LGBTQ is not synonymous with “gay men” though it is so easy to think otherwise. What does bother me is the amount of transgender bots that are on the app. Other apps have made strides in securing their users from bots and scams. Grindr, you need to make drastic improvements in removing these fake profiles and improving the security and privacy of your users. Again, why are the users responsible for reporting all of these? I’m sure there is a lot weeded out, so I apologize for being harsh, but by the time I remove the profiles that fit the examples above, my grid is actually extremely small. Can we take a look at your competitors? There is a much larger network to work with, so if Grindr is unable to make some these changes listed above, please at least broaden the grid for free users. Speaking of free users, your paid subscriptions are insane. I’m not even going to bother to look up the prices. The people who have these paid subscriptions are the rich and entitled who use those features to lie and manipulate more than they already do, it is infuriating. If someone on an average income is paying for XTRA/Unlimited then you all should be ashamed for taking that ridiculous amount of money from these people. And it is advertised as free.

Overall, I do NOT feel like I have the LGBTQ community in my pocket. The online hate and bullying on this app is unreal. With an overemphasis on cock size and a clear picture of people’s insecurities laid out in the content of their profiles, Grindr should use this platform to spread a more positive message. Lastly, on that note, can we please educate people on HIV/AIDs, undetectable status, and PreP? Men in the closet put the entire responsibility of HIV status awareness, detection, and protection (PreP) on the “non-closeted” individual.

After rereading this, I see how there is a lot of anger lurking underneath these words, but I have just about given up on Grindr. I feel like every profile is fake until we actually meet in person. I think Grindr needs to hear the emotional arguments made with reasonable fixes in promoting education of certain topics. Instead of banning people for classic inappropriate buzzwords, can we focus on reminding people to not use certain language that may be offensive to our siblings, friends, and neighbors on the grid? There are still things completely unaddressed in this post, there are now women appearing on the grid. I’m not saying this shouldn’t be allowed, but I think it is time for this app to see makeover or perhaps the era of Grindr as we know it has come to an end. I also realize being a rural part of the Midwest, not all users may have the same experience as me. I do think the “solutions” proposed are relatively easy and should be something Grindr is proud to work on. And of course, there is material regarding PreP floating around, so that is a good start.