Dear Grindr Team,

I hope you are well.

I am writing to respectfully suggest a reconsideration of the flag currently used to represent Iran on Grindr. At present, the platform displays the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which represents the current ruling regime. However, for many Iranians—particularly members of the LGBTQ+ community—this symbol is deeply associated with decades of persecution, violence, and repression.

Over the past 47 years, the Islamic Republic has criminalized homosexuality, imposed severe punishments including the death penalty for same-sex relations, and fostered a climate of fear and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. Many members of this community have faced imprisonment, torture, and execution simply for their identity.

In recent years, especially during the latest wave of protests, thousands of civilians have reportedly been killed, and numerous accounts of torture and abuse have emerged. For many Iranians, the current flag is therefore not a neutral national symbol but a representation of a regime responsible for systematic human rights violations.

Because Grindr is a platform that stands for the safety, dignity, and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people worldwide, it may be meaningful to consider replacing the current Islamic Republic flag with Iran’s historical lion-and-sun flag. For many Iranians in the diaspora and within the LGBTQ+ community, that flag represents the nation and its culture rather than the current regime.

This suggestion is offered with respect and with the hope that Grindr can continue demonstrating solidarity with LGBTQ+ individuals from countries where they face severe persecution.

Thank you very much for considering this perspective and for your continued work supporting the global LGBTQ+ community.

Kind regards, Pierr ÉTIENNE