LGBTQIA+ members now more open to dating, love: Survey

Compared to five years ago, there is less stigma attached to the LGBTQIA+ community today, says 70% of community members surveyed by online dating App, Tinder.

This fresh insight into how the community feels about love, dating and friendships followed Tinder's foray into multi-gender relationships late last year.

Probing deeper, the survey got the community talking about identity, public display of affection (PDA) and more. In an interesting revelation, the survey found that 61% had identified themselves as LGBTQIA+ on an online platform or closed group prior to formally coming out to friends/family.

A Tinder statement explained why it surveyed LGBTQIA+ community members: To understand India’s shifting cultural paradigm, their attitude towards dating and dating culture, how dating apps are empowering authentic identities and helping erode stigma.

Here's another insight from the survey: LGBTQIA+ are comfortable with PDA on a date when it comes to hugging (60%), holding hands (62%) or kissing (44%). But a high 70% want their date to be involved in issues that the community faces.

Increased normalisation of different sexual orientations has made it easier for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to be open and honest about their dating lives (30%). This is particularly true for Tinder users (38% compared to 17% of non-dating app/site users), the survey notes.

More than a quarter of LGBTQIA+ people (30%) say the pressure to be in a relationship has lessened in the last five years. One in five say they are less ashamed of their single status than they were five years ago

The top three issues amongst LGBTQIA+ community, the survey found, are religious freedom (38%), workplace inequality (32%) and youth homelessness (32%).

The research findings were based on a survey conducted across India between March 19 and April 18. As many as 500 respondents were asked general questions to explore their attitudes around their LGBTQ+ identity as it pertains to dating and dating culture. The study targeted consumers between the ages of 18-45 years old who identify as LGBTQ+.