Queer youth listen up, we’ve got the 7 free dating apps for LGBT youth.
So you’re tired of sitting around watching MTV’s Teen Wolf. Don’t look at me like that–I know you watch it. But watching Teen Wolf begets longing for dates, as the old saying goes. Okay, fine don’t get mad you don’t watch Teen Wolf. (I don’t believe you.) Still, you’d like to find some other queer people in your area for some fun, possibly romantic, hang outs. Maybe you could watch some TV together, maybe some… Teen Wolf?
Well, great news you don’t have to hit up the LGBTQ club at your school–which if you’re in Canada is every school. You don’t even have to go to your nearest LGBTQ center for a youth dance or event. There are dating apps that you can explore (ensuring you’re familiar with consent laws in your state.) Of course, make sure to do it carefully. Meet up for dates in well-populated public places and make sure someone knows where you’re going and who you’re going with–also maintain a sharp, cynical register that would make Dana Scully wince. Some people think it’s mean but there are people out there who want to hurt other people and people who want to hurt or prey on LGBTQ youth in particular. So, make sure to protect yourself.
Ahuli Labutin/Shutterstock.com
Scary warnings aside, you can meet cool, non-monsters on dating apps. The apps are set up for you in some regard. Users between 13 and 17 years old can see only other Tinder users within the same age group. “About 7% of Tinder’s users are ages 13-17” according to Common Sense Media.
Unfortunately, just because you are supposedly protected from adults on these apps (and remember someone can easily post a fake photo of a kid and lie about their age) doesn’t mean you are protected from the snares of the internet. Aka here is the required paragraph about bullying. We found the most significant LGBT bullying statistics at NOBullying. There is also a relevant study provided by GLSEN(Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) that identifies the two biggest reasons for bullying the members of the LGBT community is their appearance and sexual orientations or gender identity. Great! Thanks GLSEN for the terrible news that teenagers are basically awful to each other. In 2007 GLSEN reported that 86% of the LGBT youth reported being bullied in school, but a newer study from 2013 by the National Center for Educational Statistics showed 27%. Hopefully, that is bearing out in your lives, and you are feeling accepted–we accept you!
Now let’s find you some sweet, sweet teenage lovin’. I mean the kind that’s not available on Tumblr. Please follow the rules of the sites (i.e. don’t use it if you’re underage for that particular site, or lie about stuff) and remember that if you do something on the internet it is not a secret. Also, it helps to wear a leather or faux-leather jacket. Or so I hear.
We collected the 7 free dating apps for LGBT youth based on the opinions of AfterEllen, Heavy, DigitalTrends and DatingAdvice. According to AskMen and other dating site reviews we researched these 7 free dating apps for LGBT youth are at the top of the pile when it comes to usability. However, this is not necessarily a ranking, just a list of 7 great ones. If you are interested in more dating apps, you can also check our list of 11 Free Dating Apps for Young Adults and 10 Best Dating Apps for Android Phones. Now please enjoy 7 free dating apps for LGBT youth. Oh yeah and condoms–always condoms.
