This story is from August 18, 2019

Exploring love on the net, the queer way

Is cupid playing his role for his queer followers as he does for the straight ones? Looking at the number of dating apps burgeoning for the LGBTQ community, the answer seems to be ‘yes’.
Exploring love on the net, the queer way
Image used for representational purpose
Is cupid playing his role for his queer followers as he does for the straight ones? Looking at the number of dating apps burgeoning for the LGBTQ community, the answer seems to be ‘yes’.
With Grindr, Blued, Tinder and Delta, among others, the window to diverse dating experiences has opened like never before.
Lucknow boy Shubham, 26, was lucky to find his same-sex partner four years ago on a dating app designed for the LGBTQ community and the couple has been going strong since.

“Just when I thought I had no chance at having a perfect partner, a mobile phone application exclusively for the LGBTQ community opened floodgates for me. I found my perfect match,” says Shubham, who now plans to adopt a child with his partner.
Twenty two-year-old Yash, meanwhile, is still exploring the field. An active user of several of these apps, he says that each has a different purpose and following.
“My experience tells me that one app is for more serious relationships while another is used mostly for casual sex. This isn’t to say that people are not looking for love or long-term alliances on it but they seem to be exploring all angles since it is an entirely new treasure,” he adds.

What Yash is most thankful for is that there is finally a place for him to meet like-minded people without being judged.
Ritu, a 20-year-old queer resident of Lucknow, however, had a relatively unpleasant experience on one of the apps. She signed up a year ago in the hope of a stable relationship but was disappointed.
“Stability and love are not what these apps offer. I met people who made me feel unsafe...It was not a good place to be in,” she says, choosing not to elaborate but suggesting caution.
Ritwik, 22, a queer activist who is also the founder of KHWAAB Foundation, a community-based organization that works for the welfare of LGBTQ community, says, “It is extremely disappointing to see how these apps are being used for the wrong reasons. They are serving as a medium for body shaming and blackmailing people.”
Another Lucknowite, Lovepreet, has a practical outlook towards these apps. He says that it is foolish to expect “true love” on these as they mostly serve as a platform for casual relationships. He advises the queer community to join these apps for the fun of it and have their share of experiences without getting too attached. Whatever the case may be, these dating apps are leading to a sea of experiences and emotions for a community which was made to feel isolated until not very long ago.
While there is still a long way to go, one is bound to reflect on the expanding inclusiveness of our city and its effort in making room for the LGBTQ community.
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