March 23, 2023 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

COLUMN: Facing the Racism, Prejudices of Gay Dating Apps

By Elijah Root Sanchez

The dating pool is getting a little Kindr.

Grindr is launching a “Kindr” campaign in attempts to combat its not so kind reputation.

The gay dating app is attempting to address its many criticisms of racism and non-inclusive environment on the app. People of color on the app have often experienced racism, body shaming, femme-shaming and transphobia.

This discrimination has been ingrained into the culture of Grindr and gay dating culture, disguising itself under “preference.” Grindr users put in their biographies phrases like “No fats, no femmes, no blacks, no Asians.”

In July of 2018, an Asian-American Sinakhone Keodara announced his intent to bring a class-action lawsuit against Grindr, claiming that he “has been offended, humiliated, degraded and dehumanized by Grindr allowing gay white men to write in their profiles ‘No Asians,’ ‘Not interested in Asians,’ or ‘I don’t find Asians attractive,” according to his tweet.

In an interview with NBC, Keodara said that Grindr “allows blatant sexual racism by not monitoring or censoring anti-Asian and anti-black profiles.”

Until this point, Grindr has been a complete bystander, allowing this culture to cultivate.

Grindr is now trying to combat this explicit racism, body shaming and femme-shaming with the new Kindr campaign, stating “At Grindr, we’re into diversity, inclusion and users who treat each other with respect. We’re not into racism, bullying or other forms of toxic behavior.”

Although Grindr is attempting to address this issue now, it is unclear if their efforts are too late. Grindr has been complicit of this behavior for nine years, so critics suspect campaign may not do much to stop it.

Grindr recognizes that people will continue to have preferences, but they will not tolerate bullying and harassment, according to Kindr Campaign website.

Grindr encourages its users to  “[r]eport discrimination when you see it. Use your voice and share your story to call out prejudice and spark change.”

Related Posts

Santa Monica Place Invites LGBTQIA+ Artisans to Apply for Made With PRIDE Marketplace

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Partnering with Streetlet, the marketplace will take place each weekend in June and showcase local goods made in Southern California....

Gus Kenworthy’s Gay Kiss Scene in ‘80 for Brady’ Cut Out

March 14, 2023

March 14, 2023

By Susan Payne “80 for Brady,” a 2023 comedy/drama film that follows a group of longtime friends who want to...

Abbey Founder Declares Drag is Not A Crime

March 14, 2023

March 14, 2023

By Susan Payne “Drag is not a crime.” In solidary with drag performers, David Cooley, founder of The Abbey Food...

Grants Available for Long Beach LGBTQ-Owned or Allied Restaurants

March 14, 2023

March 14, 2023

By Susan Payne LGBTQ-owned or allied restaurants in Long Beach are invited to apply for Grubhub’s Community Impact Grants ranging...

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Moves to Ease Restrictions on Blood Donations from Gay and Bisexual Men

March 9, 2023

March 9, 2023

The City of West Hollywood is getting the word out that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued proposed...

Board of Supervisors Approves Motion to Fly Progress Pride Flag in LA County Offices

March 9, 2023

March 9, 2023

Flags will be flown at Los Angeles County facilities where American and California flags are flown each year ​​Los Angeles...

Donatella Versace Visits the Los Angeles LGBT Center

March 9, 2023

March 9, 2023

Hosts master class with CFDA designers This week, the Los Angeles LGBT Center welcomed Donatella Versace, the Chief Creative Officer...

Versace Partners With CFDA on LGBTQ-Focused Initiative

March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

By Susan Payne Donatella Versace is launching a masterclass at the Los Angeles LGBT Center on March 6 in partnership...

Suspect Pleads Guilty to Killing Los Angeles-Born Gay Man in 1988

March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

By Susan Payne Last month, an Australian man pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 1988 death of an American who...

Bill Introduced for K-12 Statewide Gender-Neutral Restrooms

March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

By Susan Payne A bill to require K-12 schools in California to provide appropriate and equitable access to gender-neutral restrooms...

UCLA’s New Volleyball Coach’s Gay Journey Reaches Full Circle

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

By Susan Payne Playing volleyball in a West Hollywood gym is where Alfred Reft became comfortable with his sexuality, alongside...

Girl Scouts Make Sales at WeHo Bars

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

By Susan Payne A Glendale, California Girl Scout has found a new market for cookie sales in West Hollywood.  In...

Brittney Griner’s First WNBA Game Since Return Held in Los Angeles

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

By Susan Payne The WNBA will kick off its season in May – this time, with Brittany Griner back in...

American Youth Symphony Returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall This Weekend

February 23, 2023

February 23, 2023

Nearly 400 of the finest young orchestral and choral musicians from AYS and National Children’s Chorus will perform Benjamin Britten’s...

LA County Math Teacher Takes Son to Nail Salon After Daycare Teacher Detests

February 16, 2023

February 16, 2023

By Susan Payne “Painting your nails is only for girls,” a daycare teacher told the three-year-old son of Christian Shearhod,...