Which Queer Celeb Should You Marry?

{{video-inline-cta}}

‍In honor of African Pride Month we’re spotlighting LGBTQ+ members paving the way for the African queer community.

Words by: BRILLIANT KODIE
Artwork by: KIT BEUKES  

Every day as a queer person in Africa is a struggle. In spite massive gains for the LGBTQ+ community in some countries, just recently Botswana decriminalized homosexuality, there are just as many places on the continent that continue to embrace discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. Though these headlines often cause me to feel discouraged, it’s the amazing queer people I’ve connected with around the continent that leads me to believe change is coming.

In light of October being African Pride Month, I wanted to spotlight a few of the queer people in Africa making positive changes in the community and proving that a single voice carries a chorus of power.

Meet Matthew Blaise

Born and raised in Nigeria, an African country that criminalizes gay people, Matthew Blaise has always fought for equality. “I am fighting to be seen as a femme person without the negative connotations or being considered weak or abnormal or even a freak of nature. This stereotype has left in me a box and I hate boxes. So I began fighting for myself and other femme people around me,’’ he explains.

Matthew is currently marching alongside other young people in Nigeria in peaceful protests to end SARS.  Their greatest concern is the impact this injustice will have on young queer Nigerians. ‘’I hope my platform will be filled with these young people, seeking answers and finding them with our help. Let them see through me, a 21 year old gay Nigerian existing in a land sworn to incarcerate and kill gay people’’ says Matthew.

Meet Lelo Meslani

The Johannesburg based DJ explores their activism through creating spaces that cater to the visibility and safety of queer and trans bodies through artistic mediums. ‘’I have managed to create Vogue Nights Jozi, an inclusive movement for dance, music and fashion, while being involved in other spaces such as Death Drop Island, Le Grand Ball to name but a few. I started doing this cultural work 3 years ago as a DJ because I noticed the gap in the city for things to do as a queer person in nightlife,’’ says Lelo.

These social spaces give us an opportunity to re-create our queer culture and afford us a chance to actually change how we see and live our lives. There is a great need for these spaces to expand into other African countries, ‘’I would love for my platform to reach other parts of South Africa and Africa at large. I think we have an opportunity to do important work that not only seems fun, but is actually life changing as well,’’ Lelo adds.

{{video-inline-cta}}

Meet Cassim Cassim

The editor of setabane, a digital queer magazine in Botswana, Cassim has always fancied the idea of using fine arts as a means of activism and awareness. ‘‘I have written two anthologies so far, one titled ‘19’ and another ‘THINGS I WANTED TO SAY BUT NEVER DID,’ and I would love to work on more to creatively express the beauty and euphoria of being queer,’’ says Cassim. Currently a student at the University of Botswana, Cassim draws their inspiration from people’s real stories. ‘’I can never look at a one-sided mirror and construct inspiration from just that, life is exhilarating and I hope over time, the more I mingle with different entities, the more I become aware, the more I evolve,” they added.

Cassim understands that being a part of different minorities means fighting for different rights but fighting the same demon. They expressed the need for non-binary exposure after they realized that there is an erasure of non-binary entities in both the cis-gendered heteronormative world and the queer community as well. “My pronouns seem to be a bitter taste in most people’s mouths and that is why I fight every day, to eradicate the stigmatism of queer people’’ shared Cassim.

Meet Ramah Mbuthia Amandla

Ramah is a non-binary Kenyan storyteller passionate about issues affecting LGBTQ+ people in Africa. ‘’I was often pushed to defend my existence, personhood and journey to other folks at 9 years old, just like 21. As I grew into a better understanding of myself I realized that I might as well commit to this life path,’’ shares Ramah. They are one of the co-founders of Queer African Network (QAN), a social app for LGBTQ+ people of African descent to socialize, read queer stories & find safe opportunities. This summer they focused on documenting stories of queer people in East and Southern Africa, and intend to expand into documenting more stories from West and Central Africa next year.

‘’I hope to find folks that understand this vision and are able to join us in pushing against violence and injustices we experience as queer folk on the continent,’’ says Mbuthia. They believe that the ability to educate LGBTQ Africans will empower their voices through representation. ‘’I hope that beyond sympathy, we can move non-LGBTQ folks to empathy by showing them that our struggle is a struggle for their freedom as well, and the responsibility is upon them as much as it upon us,’’ says Ramah.

Meet Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane

Letlhogonolo is easily one of South Africa’s brightest legal minds and while studying at Stellenbosch University, he was part of a group of students who created the First Generation Camp – a camp that focuses on ensuring that students who are the first of their families coming to university are equipped with skills to help them succeed at higher learning institutions. ‘’The work that I do as an activist is basically care work…I care a lot about queer people, black women and black people,’’ he says.

Letlhogonolo believes that visibility and representation of queer lives will enable queer people to be whatever they want and understand that their sexuality should not hinder them from being afforded the same opportunities as everyone. He also believes that building the spirit of community amongst queer people, that is rooted in love and care is really essential. ‘’We often think about queer lives and just think about how much hardships we share…but our lives are glorious and our lives have joy,’’ Letlhogonolo adds.

We surveyed 10,000 Grindr users about the major world events and pop culture touchstones that defined 2020, and they didn’t hold back. Though we may not have left our homes much this year, we still danced our asses off to Cardi B, laughed till we cried with Bowen Yang, and busted out our phones when Chris Evans’ leaked his…well, it was a very long year. And it’s still going. But since we’re almost at 2021, let’s take a look back and celebrate the amazing cultural moments that helped get us through.  

Gaga summed up our entire 2020 with the simple phrase “I’d rather be dry but at least I’m alive,” so it’s no wonder we all related to this sopping wet dance anthem. Oh, and Ms. Grande also lives on Chromatica? We’ll have a one-way ticket, please. Special shoutout to our runner-up, the massive banger “WAP” by dream team Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion...next year can we get a foursome though?

In a year chock-full of gay screaming, there was one gasp, one gay gasp, that truly united us as a community: Chis Evans leaking his own dick pic. Rather than shy away from the, uh, incident, he used the opportunity to get people to vote in the presidential election. What a standup guy.

50% of users voted for healthcare workers as hero of the year, and we’re humbled by the dedication and bravery these everyday heroes continue to deliver during a global pandemic. We also must mention the important work of #BLM organizers, who started an important national conversation this past summer and are keeping the pressure on the incoming Biden/Harris administration.

It was the year of OnlyFans, and since he’s one of the biggest stars on the platform, it only makes sense that it’s Griffin Barrow’s year too. His OnlyFans truly outsold: from beach cruising to POV blowjobs, Mr. Barrows knew exactly how to serve pandemic relief to the masses. We can’t wait to see him grab hold of 2021 and have his way with it.

{{video-inline-cta}}

The Cockdestroyers absolutely destroyed the competition. Okay, sorry, that was lazy. But seriously, Sophie and Rebecca made this year 100% more bearable, even on Sunday. Special shoutout to Leslie Jordan, whose catchphrase, “Well, shit, how y’all doing?” has been ingrained in our collective brain—right next to Rickey Thompson’s iconic laugh (ha HA).

While the Trump administration has spent an exorbitant amount of energy trying to subvert queer rights, we still had several wins in the U.S. and around the world this year. Taking the top spot is the Supreme Court ruling that workers cannot be fired for being gay or transgender. It’s about damn time.

The only queen who could ever top Ru would have to be the actual queen. The Crown has everything one needs for a well-balanced TV dinner: Oscar winners, Gillian Anderson in a snatched wig and pearls, Princess Di serving eyes, and Josh O’ Connor making Prince Charles look like a damn snack. Tea is served, y’all.

It was a tight three-way race for first, but ultimately our fave front-facing comedian Benny Drama snatched the comedy gold. From his his absurd takes on zodiac dating to his hilarious impersonations of the Kardashians, Timothée Chalamet, and Shawn Mendes, he’s a comedic jack of all trades. And speaking of trade, he’s not shabby to look at either.

Every. Single. Goddamn. Day.

POP CULTUREBLOOP

This past Sunday a massive gathering of protesters—all clad in white—rallied around the Brooklyn Museum before taking to the streets in a march of support for the Black Trans community.

The protest, called Brooklyn Liberation by organizers, featured speeches and a silent march through Brooklyn to Fort Greene Park. Organizers said that police scanners estimated over 15,000 people in attendance.

This stunning display of solidarity comes in the midst of an ongoing national protest over police brutality and just two days after the tragic news of Black Trans women Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells and Riah Milton’s deaths. See below for pictures of the event.

Brooklyn Liberation Organizers & Speakers:
West Dakota
Fran Tirado
Eliel Cruz
Raquel Willis
Peyton Dix
Mohammed Fayaz
Ianne Fields Stewart
Ceyenne Doroshow
Junior Mintt
Joshua Allen⁣
‍

Supporting Partners:
The Okra Project
The Marsha P. Johnson Institute
For the Gworls
Glits
Black Trans Femmes in the Arts
Emergency Release Fund⁣
⁣

To join the movement/donate, click here.

POLITICSBLOOP

{{video-inline-cta}}

‍The U.S. spends over $100 billion on policing per year. Where does that money go?

BY: TOM GEORGE

A reckoning is happening.

As protests take place around  the world in reaction to racism and police brutality, many have started to question the current system of policing and its role in our lives, with calls to defund and dismember departments, take away police powers, and remove police presence from schools, festivals and Pride events.

Though calls to defund police departments have been made for years now—with the term ‘defund’ being used to suggest budget cuts—and have been mostly ignored, it seems as though in the wake of George Floyd’s death, they’re starting to bear some fruit. Last week, L.A. mayor Eric Garcetti  announced he was scrapping the planned budget increases for the LAPD that would have given them a whopping $1.189 billion spend—although this was after protests congregated outside his home.

In Minneapolis, the home of George Floyd himself and the city that has long been accused of racism within its police ranks, the city has promised change, with council members looking to dismantle the police force and create a new system entirely. Meanwhile, leading political voices such as AOC have called for cuts to the NYPDs massive $6 billion budget, with Mayor de Blasio vowing to make changes; while California senator Kamala Harris, speaking on The View, wouldn’t go as far as saying defunding, but definitely supported “reimagining” public safety.

U.S. states offer huge amounts of their budget to their police forces. The U.S. collectively spends $100 billion a year on policing and $80 billion on incarceration. Even amid a pandemic when areas such as education, healthcare, construction, transport and tourism have seen major cuts to their finances, leaders have been hesitant to make any changes to policing budgets, with many going untouched and some even increasing. So what is so key about state policing that means it can’t be cut? Where is money being spent?

In truth, the full scope of police department spendings is fairly unknown and hard to find let alone decipher. In all states the majority of the police budget is spent on the salaries of officers, which is on average $67.6k per year—around $15k per year more than the average across all occupations. In other countries police officers earn a lot less, although most are greatly higher than their national averages. UK police officers earn about £42.4k per year ($53k) and French police officers earn around €46.3k per year ($52.4k).  

Equipment is also expensive, but while health care workers across the U.S. are struggling to get the PPE they so desperately need, this past week we’ve seen police forces out in riot gear to face protesters. Made up of a helmet, suit, gloves and a shield, one police officer’s riot gear can come to $496.01 on average across all states (FYI with PPE costing around $15.33 per person, 31 health care workers could be fitted with the cost of one riot suit). Body cameras are also expensive; the Obama administration put aside $263 million in 2014 for their implementation and further officer training, but despite such large expenditure their non-mandatory status mean many police officers keep them turned off anyway, making them virtually redundant, potentially wasteful.

To make matters even more shocking, taxpayer money is also spent on defending police brutality itself. In a country that has much higher rates of police brutality than its peers, this can become rather expensive—In the U.K., 55 people were shot and killed by police over 24 years; more than this were killed within 24 days of 2015 in the U.S. Around $230 million is spent per year on NYPD misconduct lawsuits alone, while in 2018 Chicago’s police department spent $113 million on settlements and legal fees to families of those killed or harmed by police. In 2019, well before the death of George Floyd by their officer, the Minneapolis police department made a payout of $20 million for the killing of Justine Ruszczyk, an Australian-American woman who was shot after reporting a potential assault behind her home (In comparison, the family of Terrance Franklin, who in 2013 was chased, shot and killed in the same city, received $795,000 in February of this year).

Are these huge budgets necessary? Crime rates have actually been falling in the U.S., and although there has never been a large-scale example of dismantling police forces, examples in Georgia as well as NY police boycotts in 2014 suggest that a lower police presence actually sees a lower level of crime. Higher police presences, such as New York’s aggressive ‘Stop and Frisk’ policy, might actually increase tensions between civilians and law enforcement.  

In his book The End of Policing, Alex S. Vitale points out how crucial it is to “redirect resources from policing, courts and jails to community centers and youth jobs.” He notes how in 2014 the LA Youth Justice Coalition drafted a plan that redirected just 1% of the LA policing budgets to community social programs for youth which would generate over $100 million per year, however nothing was put in place. Compared to peer countries the U.S. spends very little on social programs—only 18.7% of its general budget (France spends 31.2%, Germany 25.1%) and a staggering 0.6% on benefits for family and children (the UK and Sweden spend 3.5%).

What’s more, Vitale believes that departments are having to over-police in order to justify their sizes and budgets. He finds this especially visible in border patrol, which, in the wake of a decline in border crossers, has focused its efforts on seizing drugs—even though 80% of its arrests are of U.S. citizens. Yet, despite the lowering crime rates and forced validations of costs, police departments continue to see budget increases year after year.

With 34% of black trans people in the U.S. living in extreme poverty, lowering funds for the police and repurposing those budgets towards social programs that support struggling communities is one viable course of action. Ending homelessness only needs one fifth of the budget U.S. policing gets, and ending poverty for those with families and children can be done with 70%. Perhaps city councillors in Minneapolis are right: the only way forward is to dismantle state policing programs completely and build up a new system instead. The world is facing a massive evolution and all eyes are on Minneapolis to see if a community public safety model could work. The protesters on the street demand us to at least try.

‍POLITICSBLOOP

{{video-inline-cta}}

Welcome to the Trend Report

This report is your guide to the best of the month, as defined by our users and curated by the diligent Grindr crew. Think of it like a casual monthly conversation on cultural and social trends that the community is into. To create the report, we tapped into the minds of 10,000 Grindr users to get their thoughts and feelings on the queer pop culture they care about: music, movies, TV, and more. We’ll continue to track these trends each month while rotating additional topics to add some flavor.

For March, we also asked users about their kinks. Since spring fever is a very real thing and people are finally ready to travel outside the house, it felt like the right time to do a check-in on what’s turning them on this year. Let’s just say no public space is safe…

Pop Culture Favorites

For the second month in a row, Miley is on top of the Grindr Hot 100 with her sexy new song dedicated to female pleasure, “River.” Daddy Pedro also remains on top as The Last of Us came to a thrilling finale. The Oscars took home the award for most cultural impact this month (go Michelle!) and John Wick was the biggest smash at the Grindr box office. Does John Wick’s number one spot have anything to do with Rina Sawayama co-starring in the new film? Hm…

Songs

1. River Miley Cyrus‍
2. All Of The Girls You Loved Before Taylor Swift
3. A&W Lana Del Rey

Shows

1. The Last of Us HBO
2. ‍The Night Agent Netflix
3. ‍Succession HBO

Movies

1. ‍John Wick: Chapter 4
2. Scream VI
3. Shazam! Fury of the Gods

{{video-inline-cta}}

Pop Culture Moments

1. ‍The Oscars
2. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour
3. ‍The Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial   

Kink Preferences

Grindr users have conflicting feelings about certain kinks. On one hand, public sex is the kink that users are most interested in trying, and also their favorite kink that they’ve already tried. But on the other hand, it’s also the second least favorite kink users have tried. Sounds like someone accidentally got poison ivy on their knees…

Check out the other preferences below to see how yours match up.

What kink are you most interested in trying this year?

What’s your favorite kink that you’ve already tried?

What’s your least favorite kink that you’ve tried?

When do you introduce a kink to someone?

How often do you go on Grindr looking for someone with similar kinks?

Do you use My Tags to share your kinks?

Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility, the day in which we honor the joy and resilience of trans people, as well as raise awareness about the discrimination and violence that they face. Historically, the trans community has been wildly underrepresented in pop culture, especially in film. Having media like films and documentaries accurately depict the trans experience is essential for trans visibility. Seeing films made by trans people with trans people on screen can be empowering for the trans community, and is especially valuable for those who don’t have trans people in their own lives.                  

So, to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility, Grindr Cinema Club is recommending some excellent feature-length films that have illuminated transness for audiences over the past three decades. These films are spread across all genres. Better yet, they’re all made by queer, genderqueer and/or trans filmmakers. They’ll make you laugh and cry and feel both anger and hope. Just like transness, these films contain multitudes.

<hr>

‍Paris Is Burning (dir. Jennie Livingston 1990)

‍Where to watch: HBO Max, The Criterion Channel

File under: Documentary, Drag, New York City

This seminal documentary from genderqueer director Jennie Livingston takes an in-depth look at New York City’s ballroom scene in the 1980’s. Immersive, charming, and tragic, this world is populated by queer and trans BIPOC artists, models, and performers striving to make it big. Featuring the legendary Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey.

<hr>

Bound (dir. The Wachowski Sisters, 1996)

‍Where to watch: Pluto TV, Paramount+                          

File under: Noir, Crime, Cult Classic

Anybody who is a fan of The Matrix or The Wachowski Sisters should check out their feature directorial debut starring Gina Gershon, Jennifer Tilley, and Joe Pantoliano. This film is about a sexy, edge-of-your-seat heist that subverts the gender binaries of film noir.

<hr>

The Matrix (dir. The Wachowski Sisters, 1999)

‍Where to watch: Tubi, HBO Max                                   

File under: Sci-fi, Hollywood, Oscar Nominee

Yes, The Matrix Trilogy is a trans metaphor.

<hr>

By Hook Or By Crook (dir. Silas Howard, 2001)

‍Where to watch: Amazon Prime                    

File Under: Buddy Adventure, Cult Classic, San Francisco  

Capturing the grit of 70’s road movies (think Easy Rider), this film stars trans director Silas Howard (Transparent) and artist Harry Dodge (My Meteorite) as two buddies in search of love and money on the streets of San Francisco.

<hr>

Stud Life (dir. Campbell X, 2012)

‍Where to watch: Tubi                                  

File under: Slice of Life, BIPOC, International   

{{video-inline-cta}}

British trans director Campbell X brings us a brash and funny story about the friendship between J, genderqueer and butch, and Seb, a cute white twink. Their bond is tested when J falls in love with a beautiful femme. Starring T’Nia Miller, Kyle Treslove, and Robyn Kerr

<hr>

Strong Island (dir. Yance Ford, 2017)

‍Where to watch: Netflix                                

File under: Documentary, True Crime, Oscar Nominee                  

Yance Ford became the first out trans person to ever be nominated for an Oscar with this documentary that recounts the true story of his brother’s murder. This compelling exploration of masculinity, race, and class is a must-see.

<hr>

Lingua Franca (dir. Isabel Sandoval, 2019)

‍Where to watch: Tubi, Netflix                               

File under: Indie Darling, Great Performances, Drama          

Writer, director, editor, and coproducer Isabel Sandoval plays Olivia, an undocumented trans Filipino caregiver pursues a marriage to obtain a green card. This film is a beautiful, nuanced, sexy rendering of trans pain and joy, and dare we say a masterpiece.

<hr>

Disclosure (dir. Sam Feder, 2020)                                                

‍Where to watch: Netflix                           

File under: Documentary, Trans History, Hollywood              

And we can’t leave out Sam Feder’s comprehensive and unprecedented look at the history of transgender visibility and representation in film, tv, and Hollywood-at-large.

<hr>

We’re All Going To The World’s Fair (dir. Jane Schoenbrun, 2021)

Where to watch: HBO Max                                 

File under: Horror, Edgy, Indie Darling                  

Where does the corporeal world end and the internet begin? Lonely teenager finds out when she immerses herself in an online role-playing horror game from trans auteur Jane Schoenbrun.

<hr>

Anything’s Possible (dir. Billy Porter, 2022)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime                                

File under: Young Adult, Coming-of-Age, Romantic Comedy

When Khal, who is cis, develops a crush on high school classmate Kelsa, who is trans, they develop a romance despite the drama that it causes. For the fan of Dear Evan Hansen and Heartstopper, this film is from director Billy Porter ( Pose — a series inspired by Paris Is Burning).

<hr>
‍

Lastly, we look ahead to the future with a couple of titles that we’re excited to get a wider release…

Kokomo City (dir. D. Smith, 2023)                                                

‍File under: Documentary, Edgy, Indie Darling                                    

A gorgeous, complex, and frank portrait of four trans black sex workers from New York and Georgia from trans director and Grammy-nominated producer D. Smith. Fresh out of Sundance.

<hr>

Mutt (dir. Vuk Lungulov-Klotz, 2023)

‍File under: Drama, Great Performances, New York City                                    

A day in the life of a young transmasc man named Feña who navigates the dynamics of old relationships made anew since transitioning. Fresh out of the Berlin Film Festival.

#WorkItWednesday is Grindr's feature on employees and programs at the heart of the work we do to connect the LGBTQ community with each other and the world around them. In this edition, we chat with Jeffery King about his experience joining Grindr as our Community Advocate.

‍

<hr>

‍

‍Meet Jeffery King (he/him), Grindr’s Community Advocate! Jeffery’s background has always been in some form of Customer Service. He started working in recruitment firms that brought him all the way to Melbourne, Australia, and back. Having spent considerable time in recruitment and training, Jeffery officially transitioned into the tech space 5 years ago and has loved every minute of it. Jeffery started at Grindr in 2021 and really enjoys working at the intersection of tech and the LGBTQ community.                            

Learn more about what brought Jeffery to Grindr below and check out our careers page to stay up-to-date on open roles!

Have you always worked in Customer Service at a tech company? What drew you to your role or the dating space specifically?‍

I have always been in some form of customer service role, mostly because I love looking at a process or situation and coming up with a solution for it; but I also like understanding how how that solution fits into the entire puzzle. Is this a one-off situation or does this happen a lot? Do the people who create, administer, or work with this, know it? Tech is full of those kinds of situations!

Working at Grindr presents the unique opportunity to work on these sorts of challenges with a very human-centered product. Because we are working with people, sometimes in their most vulnerable states (looking for dating, love, sex, and connection), we get to approach our work through a special lens of how tech can best serve them. That sort of impact really drew me to the work that I do at Grindr.            

Tell us why you joined Grindr. What do you love most about our mission and our culture?

I get to show up to work every day and not have to filter who I am and what my life looks like, both as a person of color, but also as a member of the LGBTQ community. Grindr has a special culture that starts from a place of understanding, compassion, and celebration. Other companies may have these pieces in their culture, but I find Grindr unique in that they have all of these, plus!

{{video-inline-cta}}

I also love that the people here really care. I’ve worked with some brilliant people in my career, but never this many smart, creative, and motivated people who truly believe in the mission and work that they are doing. I’m very grateful to work among passionate colleagues who have become more than co-workers, but also friends.  

What interesting problems is your Grindr team solving and what are you looking forward to in the future?

In Customer Experience (CX), we’re always trying to solve issues that arise when people interact with each other, but also communicate to the company what our customers are experiencing and ways in which we can make that experience more positive. One of the things that I love about Grindr is that our users’ input helps to influence the product development process. Because we are working with a product that is so personal to the experience of LGBTQ people around the world, it is vital that we continue to listen and iterate on ideas that can make their experience better.

Another favorite and interesting part of my role is when I’m seeing our customers talk about something that I personally don’t feel the same about. Trying to understand their point of view makes my role very interesting. I get to really put myself in their shoes and think about the “what” and the “why” - I get to look at whether other folks might feel the same way and how we can grow the app and user experience from this.

How have you grown professionally while on our team?

One of the best things about Grindr is that the CX team is directly included in conversations with other parts of the business. Unfortunately, that’s still a very rare thing across many organizations and industries. Being able to actively engage with different teams in a meaningful way means I have a stronger understanding of how decisions are made and can better represent our users in these discussions.

I regularly work with talented product leaders, designers, and engineers to translate feedback from our users. Being a part of those conversations has helped me learn how to navigate discussions and understand how we can take feedback and turn them into actionable improvements for our app.

Do you have a favorite memory of working at Grindr so far or a moment that stands out to you that really captures what it is like to work here?

If I could pick one favorite memory of working at Grindr, it has to be our company-wide gathering in June. For our first in-person meeting since the pandemic, the leadership team brought the company out to West Hollywood for an onsite. It was beautiful to be surrounded by so much queer energy. For a week we were in a little bubble where there was nothing but love, respect, and laughter…the way the world should be for ALL people.

If you are interested in working with talented, caring, and compassionate teammates like Jeffery, at a mission-driven company, you should consider applying for open positions with us!

Meet Amit Bhasin (he/him)

Amit currently works as our Finance Manager on the small but mighty Financial Planning & Analysis team at Grindr! After graduating from UCLA with a BA in Business Economics, minoring in Accounting, he spent a few years working in finance roles before starting with Grindr in 2020. Amit’s team supports the organization in making data-driven and financially sound decisions. Some examples of key projects that fall under their scope include building short-term and long-term financial plans, defining KPIs, tracking company performance, data analysis, forecasting, external stakeholder reporting, and much more.

Check out Amit’s Grindr story below, and take a look at our careers page to learn more about our open job opportunities.

Have you always worked in finance for the tech industry? What drew you to the tech or the dating space specifically?

Yes - I have! However, I would say that my work experience is a little broader than your typical person with my job title. I started my career in investment banking, working with clients in the technology sector on a broad range of corporate transactions… think M&A, IPOs, and other capital-raising engagements. This was where I discovered how much I loved learning about different business models in the tech space, including consumer internet, social, and online dating. After a couple of years in investment banking, I pivoted to in-house Corporate Development positions at companies in the software space. In these roles, I helped leadership teams build business cases for acquiring and investing in other companies.

I joined Grindr’s FP&A team in 2020 and have been with the company for two and a half years. It’s been such a fun experience to build and execute a monetization strategy for the company! I’ve learned so much about the nuances of our user funnel and how the health of our business impacts the way that we can show up for the queer community. Along the way, I’ve gotten to flex my technical skills and partner with talented stakeholders across the organization. Most recently, I was actively involved in taking the company public through the SPAC we completed last year. It was such a great experience to see Grindr through this pivotal transition from a private to a public company.

Tell us why you joined Grindr. What do you love most about our mission and our culture?

As a member of the LGBTQ community, the company’s mission of connecting queer people with one another resonated deeply with me. I love working somewhere with such an open and accepting culture. We are a company that values authenticity and you can really feel that in the way employees collaborate and treat each other. It’s also such an exciting time to join Grindr! We are growing and doing so much with the business – I am 100% on board with the journey.

What does a Finance Manager for Grindr do?

A lot of people think finance folks are just “excel gurus” cranking out fancy spreadsheets and aesthetically pleasing PowerPoint presentations all day. This is certainly true and I’m no exception – I’m a nerd when it comes to structuring financial models with auto-updating formulas, toggleable inputs, and conditional formatting (oh my!).

However, my favorite part of the job is the cross-functional collaboration and broad scope of work that I get to do. One day, I’ll be synthesizing input from our product team into long-term, driver-based revenue projections. On another day, I’ll partner with our data team to better understand the nuances of our operating data. It’s all very intellectually stimulating and keeps me excited about coming to work every day.

{{video-inline-cta}}

How have you grown professionally while on our team?

Grindr is a company that is invested in its employees’ career growth. Since joining, I’ve had the opportunity to work on high-visibility projects, many of which involve C-suite level stakeholders and other leaders at the company. I’ve also played a pivotal role in growing the FP&A team, as the function’s scope and responsibilities have expanded.

It’s been so rewarding to add members to the team and help develop new talent. I am forever grateful to my manager and mentors, who really set me up to be successful at this company. I feel continuously challenged to expand my skill set and take on new opportunities to learn.

What interesting problems is your Grindr team solving for and what are you looking forward to for the future?

There are so many interesting challenges that I get to tackle in my role but, I would have to say building a framework to think through our growth strategy has been (and continues to be) very exciting. We have so many products and features we are road-mapping for our users, some of which will be entirely new offerings. With no existing data or comparable precedents for these new products, it has been challenging but fun to think through sizing the financial impact of these initiatives.

The core mission of Grindr is to connect the queer community with each other and the world around them. The more I can do to support the growth of the business, the more Grindr can do to support the global LGBTQ community. We have a lot of impactful offerings in store for our users and I’m excited to see how they play out!

Do you have a favorite memory of working at Grindr so far or a moment that stands out to you that really captures what it is like to work here?

Without a doubt, being a part of our bell ringing ceremony at NYSE on our first day of trading as a public company. I had been a member of the transaction team and there had been so much effort in making this possible. It was gratifying to see the deal come to fruition and a highlight of my career.

Not to mention, it was such a historic moment to be a part of – seeing an LGBTQ-focused company become publicly traded at one of the oldest institutions in financial services. We literally had drag artists and queer performances right in front of Wall Street!

Amit’s team is hiring! If you are interested in working for a collaborative, high-impact company, you should check out our open roles today!

In honor of Women’s History Month, we want to recognize and celebrate the contributions of trans women throughout history. Trans women have played a vital role in the fight for women’s rights and gender equality, even as they face discrimination and marginalization within both the women’s movement and society at large.

From Sylvia Rivera, who was instrumental in the Stonewall uprising, to Wendy Carlos, a prominent musician and advocate for trans rights, trans women have fought tirelessly for their rights and the rights of all women.

But, despite the progress made, trans women continue to face significant challenges, including violence, discrimination, and limited access to healthcare and legal protections. It is crucial that we continue to uplift and support trans women in their fight for equality and justice. As we reflect on the contributions of trans women this Women’s History Month we’ve put together a list of just a few of the trans trailblazers whose impact on the fight for equality can’t be overstated.

Sylvia Rivera (1951 – 2002)

“I was a radical, a revolutionist. I am still a revolutionist…I am glad I was in the Stonewall riot. I remember when someone threw a Molotov cocktail, I thought, ‘My god, the revolution is here. The revolution is finally here!’"

Sylvia Rivera was a trans rights activist and prominent figure in the Stonewall uprising, which marked a turning point in the LGBTQ rights movement. Rivera was a tireless advocate for the rights of trans people, people of color, and those who lived in poverty. She co-founded several organizations, including STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries), which provided support for trans youth. Despite facing discrimination and marginalization her entire life, Rivera never gave up fighting for justice and equality.

Christine Jorgensen (1926-1989)

“Nature made a mistake which I have had corrected and I am your daughter.”

Christine Jorgensen played a significant role in the history of gender identity and trans rights. In 1952, Jorgensen made headlines around the world when she became one of the first people in the United States to undergo sex reassignment surgery. Jorgensen’s openness about her transition and her advocacy for trans rights helped to raise awareness of gender identity and inspire others to come forward and live openly as transgender individuals. Her legacy continues to be celebrated during Women’s History Month and serves as an inspiration to those fighting for trans rights today.  

SOPHIE (1986-2021)

“Transness is taking control to bring your body more in line with your soul and spirit so the two aren't fighting against each other and struggling to survive.”

{{video-inline-cta}}

SOPHIE was a groundbreaking musician and producer who helped reinvent the electronic music scene, particularly in the realm of avant-garde pop. SOPHIE began making music in her early teens and eventually gained widespread recognition for her unique style, which blended elements of pop, techno, and industrial music. In addition to her musical talents, SOPHIE was known for her advocacy on behalf of transgender and nonbinary people, using her platform to raise awareness and push for greater acceptance and inclusion. Her untimely death in 2021 was a devastating loss for the music world, but her legacy as a trailblazer and visionary artist continues to inspire.

Crystal LaBeija (1930s-1990s)

“I have a right to show my color, darling. I am beautiful, and I know I’m beautiful.”

Crystal LaBeija was a prominent figure in the LGBTQ community during the 60s and 70s, particularly as a leader and founder of the ballroom scene in New York City. LaBeija competed in the 1967 Miss All-America Camp Beauty Pageant, a competition that was documented famously in The Queen. As a Black trans woman, LaBeija faced significant discrimination throughout her life. However, she refused to be silenced and instead used her voice to advocate for the rights and visibility of trans people of color. LaBeija founded the House of LaBeija, which became one of the most renowned and respected houses within the ballroom scene.

Wendy Carlos (Born 1939)

“As human beings we do change, grow, adapt, perhaps even learn and become wiser."

Wendy Carlos is a pioneering electronic musician and composer who made major contributions to the development of electronic music. Carlos began experimenting with electronic music in the 1960s and became one of the first musicians to use the Moog synthesizer. She gained widespread acclaim for her work on the soundtrack for the film A Clockwork Orange, as well as several successful albums, including Switched-On Bach. Carlos’s innovative use of technology paved the way for future generations of female musicians and composers. As a trans woman, Carlos played an important role in raising awareness and promoting the acceptance of the trans community in the music industry.

As of today there will be a designated button in the Grindr side menu (under the profile settings) where all US-based Grindr users can go to order an at-home HIV test kit for free. The project is called “Together TakeMeHome,” and it enables you to order an at-home HIV test in less than a minute–similar to how ordering free COVID tests worked. You can use the link in Grindr or go directly to order a kit here in English and here in Spanish. Grindr will collect no data in the process.

Many Grindr users face barriers to testing in person, including clinic operating hours, transportation, costs, concerns about privacy, and fear of judgment. Over the last three years, TakeMeHome has given away 125,000 HIV test kits, and more of those have gone to gay, bi, and trans people using Grindr than any other dating app platform. Plus, one-third of those kits went to first-time testers, showing the power and innovation that comes from bringing these partners together.

{{video-inline-cta}}

The result has been a national expansion of the program, powered by an easy-to-use website funded by the CDC and operated by BHOC and Emory University. It allows anyone in the US, including Puerto Rico, to order up to two free at-home test kits every ninety days. And, as we look to the future, Grindr will expand our commitment to home testing in other countries. This project is currently aiming to give out one million kits over five years. We’re incredibly proud of this partnership, so please check out “Together TakeMeHome,” know your status, tell your friends, and let’s continue to fight the epidemic together.

We at Grindr are appalled by the latest onslaught of discriminatory legislation in the US that threatens the LGBTQ community. We denounce these bills, which only seek to promote transphobia and prejudice against LGBTQ people.

Grindr is a company that not only values diversity, we live it. We believe every individual, regardless of sexuality or gender identity, deserves equal rights and protections under the law, and we are committed to taking action to protect those rights.

We urge lawmakers to reject any legislation that seeks to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals and their families, and to instead focus on creating policies that promote equality and respect for all. We also encourage our users, partners, and fellow businesses to join us in taking action against this sort of legislation.

{{video-inline-cta}}

Here are some of the ways we’re working to protect the trans and the broader LGBTQ community here in the US:

• In partnership with the ACLU we’re sharing information with users in six states to help them contact their state-elected representatives and make their voices heard about anti-LGBTQ legislation and activities. You can find that information linked here.
• We continue to support our longtime partners, the Transgender Law Center and Lambda Legal, and other organizations on the front line, through monetary donations.
• We helped users in Little Rock and Memphis connect with the Victory Institute, an organization dedicated to elevating LGBTQ leaders so that they can help fight back against the anti-LGBTQ legislative attacks in Tennessee and Arkansas.
• We provided users with information to free name & gender change legal clinics in Arkansas hosted by the Arkansas Black Gay Men's Forum.  
• We’ve connected trans users to #VotingWhileTrans resources when visiting the polls during the 2022 midterms.

Grindr’s success is not only measured by our financial performance, but also by our commitment to making a positive impact on behalf of LGBTQ people. We stand in solidarity with the transgender community in particular, and will continue to work to ensure that their rights and dignity are protected.