Hinge’s New D.A.T.E. Report Unveils LGBTQIA+ Daters Needs in 2024
Hinge provides a go-to guide for queer daters' #1 concern: emotional intimacy.
NEW YORK, June 6, 2024: Today, Hinge is releasing its second annual LGBTQIA+ D.A.T.E. (Data, Advice, Trends, and Expertise) Report, revealing new research conducted among over 14,000 Hinge daters. Packed with expert insights, firsthand perspectives from LGBTQIA+ daters, and practical tips from Hinge's Love & Connection Expert and licensed therapist, Moe Ari Brown, the report is an essential guide for queer daters seeking to build healthy relationships.
According to the new Hinge Labs research, emotional intimacy is the #1 topic queer daters desire advice on: 50% of LGBTQIA+ daters want to learn how to build trust better, while 58% of LGBTQIA+ Hinge daters want to learn to bring up their wants and needs in relationships. The report outlines how LGBTQIA+ daters can achieve greater emotional intimacy and build trust in relationships through an unexpected approach—embracing what Hinge has identified as a "slowmance,” meaning to slow the pace down to enjoy the ride rather than rushing things, putting clear boundaries in place and setting intentions.
To help the queer community build emotional intimacy and trust, Hinge’s 2024 LGBTQIA+ D.A.T.E. Report guides daters on how to build a slowmance across three key stages of dating, which include:
#1 Embracing a Soft Start: A conversation that creates a comfortable pace from the get-go, instead of immediately going deep. Using humor when beginning a conversation is the key to a soft start, providing an easy way to break the ice without sharing too much too soon. Given some of the challenges that the queer community faces, LGBTQIA+ daters prefer to keep initial conversations light, positive and engaging— from the opening line to securing the first date.
- Only 10% of LGBTQIA+ Hinge daters prefer someone to start a conversation with them by asking them about their dating intentions. Most daters prefer to know more about one another first.
- 64% of LGBTQIA+ Hinge daters say that seeing humor on someone’s profile makes them more interested in chatting.
- Only 20% of LGBTQIA+ daters prefer someone to start a conversation by skipping the small talk and asking a deep question.
#2 Planning the Low-Pressure Date (LPD): A relaxed environment with a focus on getting to know one another. LGBTQIA+ daters prefer relaxed environments because they allow daters to get to know each other and create space to have more meaningful conversations, like discussing their values, at their pace.
- The #1 Low-Pressure Date for LGBTQIA+ daters on Hinge is a coffee shop (31%), followed by a bar (21%) and restaurant (20%).
- The top first-date topics Hinge’s LGBTQIA+ daters want to discuss are: personal growth (58%), identity (51%), family dynamics (32%) and societal issues (32%).
- 91% of LGBTQIA+ Hinge daters are open to continuing the first date and going to another place if it’s going well.
#3 Rolling Out the Soft Launch: Subtly releasing photos or videos on social media of their romantic partner without sharing their full face/identity. Think low-key hints and a gradual reveal. Because some LGBTQIA+ daters are not out to friends and family, it’s crucial to plan a launch that respects privacy. Queer daters have to establish clear communication and mutual boundaries to smoothly introduce the relationship in a way that feels comfortable for everyone involved.
- The top reasons LGBTQIA+ Hinge daters prefer a soft launch over a hard launch are to: enjoy the early stages of the relationship before involving others (58%), protect their own privacy (44%), and understand each other’s boundaries (40%).
- 77% of LGBTQIA+ Hinge daters believe that people should have a conversation with a romantic partner first before posting about them on social media; preferring to soft launch.
- 53% of trans daters and 42% of queer daters who said they prefer to never launch their relationships make this choice due to privacy and safety concerns.
“Dating can be especially complex for queer daters for many reasons. Opting for a slowmance helps LGBTQIA+ daters cultivate emotional intimacy and build the strong foundation necessary to navigate those complexities,” says Moe Ari Brown. “The 2024 LGBTQIA+ Hinge D.A.T.E. report sees, hears and supports queer daters worldwide with a resource that offers advice and tools to build the connection, vulnerability and trust they desire in relationships.”
Alongside the report, Hinge is unveiling new Not-So-Frequently Asked Questions (NFAQ) from Hinge partners and experts: actress and comedian Patti Harrison, chef DeVonn Francis and Moe Ari Brown. Patti recently starred in Hinge’s latest Designed To Be Deleted films and DeVonn is a collaborator on Hinge’s Phonebook, a phone-shaped book filled with creative ideas inspiring Gen Z to unplug from their phones and connect with other people. The NFAQ focuses on topics that address singles’ questions around how to make trans dates feel more comfortable and the difficulties of navigating race and queer dating.
“Our work at Hinge is to support all daters in finding meaningful relationships. We’ve seen that some individuals, especially LGBTQIA+ daters, lack the dating and relationship resources they want,” shares Jackie Jantos, Hinge’s Chief Marketing Officer. “With our D.A.T.E. report series, we're not only uncovering new insights but making the research and guidance available directly to queer daters.”
Dating isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience, so inclusivity is fundamental to Hinge. The company is committed to helping everyone find connection—and will continue to find ways to create safe and supporting spaces for underrepresented communities through long-term initiatives such as Hinge’s D.A.T.E reports and NFAQ series.
Methodology
The D.A.T.E report’s studies were conducted by Hinge Labs, a one-of-a-kind internal team of PhD researchers and behavioral scientists who have the sole purpose of providing evidence-based insights to help daters on Hinge find love. Hinge Labs conducted surveys in April 2024 to more than 14,000 Hinge users in the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide. Recognizing that dating is complex and personal, Hinge Labs uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods to study successful daters and uses those insights to help build the most effective dating app for getting people into relationships.
About Moe Ari Brown, LMFT, Hinge’s Love and Connection Expert (they/he)
Moe Ari Brown works with Hinge to ensure that everyone, no matter their identity, feels empowered to present their full self in dating and beyond. Moe is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and leading mental health expert specializing in transgender identity/ Over the past decade, Moe has worked with LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, and families on their journeys of self-love and connection.
About Hinge
The Dating App Designed To Be Deleted®: Hinge is on a mission to create a less lonely world by inspiring intimate, in-person connections. Through in-depth and personalized profiles, daters have unique conversations that get them off the app and out on great dates. And it’s resonating. Hinge is setting up a date every two seconds. Hinge was acquired by Match Group (NASDAQ:MTCH) in 2018.