I’m a Black man living in a predominantly white area, where most men on dating apps seem to exclusively prefer white partners. As a result, when I list my ethnicity on Grindr, I receive very few—if any—messages. This creates an environment where Black profiles are consistently overlooked and ignored.

Even though there may be other Black users in the area, the app’s geo-based system makes it unlikely that our profiles will ever cross paths. And while upgrading to premium is an option, the cost is extremely high, and I would still have to spend hours scrolling to find someone I might connect with—especially someone who doesn’t view me through a lens of exoticism or fetishization.

This system, while not explicitly discriminatory, ends up being implicitly so. It makes it significantly harder for racial minorities to form meaningful connections with others who understand and value their identity. For this reason, I’m respectfully requesting the option to use a racial filter. If it can’t be included in the free version, please consider making it available as part of the premium upgrade