As a member of the lesbian community, you may be acquainted with dating applications. Lesbian Americans, alongside their bisexual and gay counterparts, are notably more inclined to have utilized dating apps than heterosexual Americans: 51 percent compared to 28 percent, as indicated by the Pew Research Center.
There are various factors that may lead LGBTQ individuals to resort to online dating more swiftly than heterosexual individuals. For example, you may live in a location that lacks a lively LGBTQ community, rendering in-person dating difficult. If you don’t have connections with other lesbians right away, how can you meet potential partners in real life? At times, spaces intended for lesbians may also be taken over by straight individuals. Furthermore, depending on your geographical area, in-person dating may pose safety concerns.
Luckily, we exist in a time where we can engage with like-minded individuals with just a few swipes. Major dating apps are inclusive of lesbians, and there are also specialized platforms designed specifically for lesbians and other queer women and individuals. But which one should you select?
How to discover the best dating apps for lesbians
In Mashable’s suggestions, you’ll come across both general dating platforms and those tailored for queer people. The former caters to a wider audience, providing a greater number of users in these environments. However, while swiping through profiles of other women, you may encounter those in relationships with men seeking another woman for a threesome (often referred to as unicorn hunters). There’s no judgment here, but that might not align with your objectives. Regardless, people from all walks of life join dating apps such as Tinder and Hinge. You never know who you could connect with.
Additionally, there are apps dedicated explicitly to the community, like HER and Lex. If you lean towards a more intimate dating atmosphere, consider these applications. Although there isn’t a “Grindr for lesbians” — we discuss the reasoning in the FAQ section — these platforms feel more akin to stepping into your local lesbian bar rather than using an app like Bumble.
You can also explore several dating apps, as each of the options listed below has a free version available. You can filter preferences based on your own gender identity and what you’re searching for, and sometimes, like with OkCupid, there are numerous choices to consider.
Diving into the dating scene can be daunting, but the experience is rewarding. Refer to our guide below for an extensive overview of our suggestions and dating app evaluations.