Related Articles
Grindr’s been in the news a lot lately, but not for the reasons one might expect. This popular hookup app has been doing the most — from celebrating the US Open with a cheeky “grunt” notification to prioritizing the safety of international users during the Olympics.
SEE ALSO:
From Grindr to Scruff: The best dating apps for gay, bi, and queer men
Now, the company is going beyond the app with the launch of its Host or Travel online series, which explores different gayborhoods around the globe. A gayborhood is basically an area known to welcome and attract LGBTQ people. So far, Host or Travel has featured six destinations: Madrid, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Los Angeles, U.S.; Zipolite, Mexico; Berlin, Germany; and Malta. The series (available on YouTube, the Grindr blog, and social media) offers a more intimate look at local culture, nightlife, and hole-in-the-wall places that only LGBTQ insiders would know about.
As, unfortunately, not everyone’s hometown has a gayborhood, Grindr hopes to bring a “global gayborhood” — a digital space within the app that connects and provides resources for the worldwide LGBTQ community — to life. In tandem with the show, the app is developing an interactive map to help users find LGBTQ-friendly hotspots and events. (This feature isn’t fully rolled out yet, but you might see it before the year’s end.) Additionally, the company is testing a new “Roam” feature, which will let users temporarily set their profile location to anywhere in the world so they can chat and connect with locals ahead of their trip. This is pretty similar to location features that Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have.
Mashable After Dark
Want more sex and dating stories in your inbox?
Sign up for Mashable’s new weekly After Dark newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
“Roam is the first of many future Gayborhood features we are launching, and it unlocks new travel functionality to bring you one step closer to other Grindr users around the globe,” George Arison, chief executive officer of Grindr, said in a press release.
This shift might surprise those familiar with Grindr’s well-known reputation for quick hookups sans shame. However, at a recent presentation at Grindr HQ (which I attended in person), company leaders revealed that approximately 3.5 million people already use the app to make traveling in new cities easier — from finding LGBTQ-friendly accommodations to connecting with locals for recommendations and events.
Related Stories
The best dating apps for lesbians — these are the apps queer women use to find each other in 2024
Why some people on dating apps just want to be ‘pen pals’
The 11 best dating apps for men who know what they want
We’re excited to see what other travel-focused features Grindr has planned, and will keep you updated as more details are shared in the coming months.
