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Dating is difficult. It's just a fact. Queer dating is often even more difficult. When you're a man with same-sex attraction, there are simply fewer instances where you can meet someone by chance and feel that romantic spark. This is why gay bars and other inclusive spaces have become such an important part of the lives of people in the LGBTQ+ community, including gay and bisexual men.

Of course, if you're a queer man looking for love, not every city has a gay bar you can go to whenever you're in the mood to flirt. And during the pandemic, meeting and being around lots of people in a public place is out of the question.

Enter: Apps. Whether you're looking for a fun person to chat with, exchange photos with, or make a connection with the goal of eventually meeting for a real date, we've got you covered. These are the 8 best LGBTQ-friendly dating and dating apps for gay men. (When you find one you like and create an account, be sure to follow these tips to take a really great photo for your profile!)

Bonus: when you are Ready for an in-person meeting with someone you met on one of those dating apps, check out our ideas for awesome first and second dates. You'll look like a total romantic genius without breaking the bank.

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Grindr

OK, let's get this one out of the way first. Grindr is so well known as a gay dating and dating app that even straight people have heard of it. We all know how this works; The home screen shows you a grid of guys near you, you can chat, share photos and send voice memos, and meet the love of your life or the love of your afternoon, at least .

Download Grindr on iOS or Android.

Scruff

Scruff is very similar to Grindr in its grid functionality, but unlike Grindr, which has been criticized for perpetuating a "no fats, no women" attitude among its users, Scruff was originally aimed at gay men of different body types. Specifically: bears, otters, wolves, daddies and other "tribes" who find fur and a stockier build attractive.

Download Scruff on iOS or Android.

Jack'd

Jack'd promises new users that they will be able to connect with "the most diverse community of gay, bi, trans, queer, and curious guys from around the world," and is popular among men of color. You can search by what a guy likes, his relationship status (for those looking to play), and the Discover tab lets you find profiles based on recent activity.

Download Jack'd on iOS or Android.

ascend

Unlike many gay dating apps that show you a grid of guys closest to you, Surge is more like Tinder, allowing users to scroll through profiles until they land on the one they like. The "swipe right" https://www.menshealth.com/ "swipe left" https://www.menshealth.com/ "it's a match" functionality is exactly the same, so if nothing else Otherwise, you won't have to waste time understanding how the app works once you download it.

Download Surge on iOS or Android.

Adam4adam

Adam4Adam started as a popular desktop dating site for gay men. You remember ?

Either way, now that no one has time to sit down and log in to find a date, A4A is in the app's game, providing roughly the same kind of user experience as other services like Grindr.

Download Adam4Adam on iOS or Android.

growlr

As a bear? Growlr is truly where the wild things are. While even Scruff is at least partially aimed at men with lean physiques, Growlr is specifically aimed at bears, cubs, and dads.

Download Growlr on iOS et Android.

hornet

In many countries where LGBTQ+ people are still persecuted, such as Chechnya, the most widely used and well-known gay dating apps like Grindr have been banned. Hornet, which looks and functions much more like a social networking platform than a dating app, offers a safer alternative for gay men in some locations (although it has also been banned in places like the Emirates United Arabs).

Download Hornet on iOS or Android.

Tser

Dating for transgender and non-binary people can be a nightmare, even on queer apps that claim to be inclusive. Tser is a dating and dating app specifically created for trans, enby, and genderqueer singles – including, for the purposes of this list, trans men who identify as gay or bisexual. Because everyone deserves a safe space to flirt.

Download Tser on iOS or Android.

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