When traditional society revolted against the LGBTQ+ community, gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals carved space for themselves to live with pride. Now, with the increasing accessibility with technology and apps in the 21st century, the LGBT community continues to cultivate sites and social networks that cater to their interests and lifestyles.
With a vast number of alternative outlets for LGBTQ+ people to engage with, it's easy to find individual apps or social networks based on what you're looking for. As dedicated as the LGBT community is to provide the most inclusive social networking available, there is a high demand for a platform that seamlessly connects news, communication, and events.
The Future of LGBTQ+ Social Websites
From finding adult dating partners with similar interests to joining chat rooms for anonymous connections, websites across the digital landscape make it easy for members to validate their identity and experiences. However, there is yet to be a website or app that draws on the community's interests and thrives with the same success as Facebook or Instagram.
The Effect of Online LGBTQ+ Spaces
What would it signify for the LGBT community to generate an app or website or social network that was as universally recognized as other social media platforms? Smaller online spaces and networks for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals allows them to share photos of their lives, make connections, and stay informed with the world around them. Beyond that, however, coming out online continues to be a niche space.
A variety of websites, apps (for iPhone and Android), and networks help individuals celebrate their identity and seek mentors or friends for emotional support and maintain social activity. As popular as social media sites are, non-LGBT-centric social media sites commonly fail to adopt appropriate measures against bullying and leave the LGBTQ+ tribe vulnerable to awkward behavior of some dudes, not saying about harassment. A broader accessible network would help cement the community's visibility at-large and provide invested users with a streamlined service that's tailored to their needs.
Free Communication
LGBTQ+ tribes currently connect on general social media networks that people from all walks of life use. While these networks support them to branch out and solidify their lifestyle, social media struggles to expand their engagement and protect them from victimization.
- Facebook connects millions of people from all over the world and offers groups to share their unique interests. The Facebook Network of Support works with LGBT organizations to fight cyberbullying and protect LGBTQ+ lives from derogatory comments and posts.
- Instagram presents a platform to share day-to-day activities, and for members opportunities to become a business or influencer. Users measure personal success with the app by how many followers and likes users attain or the meaningful connections they create.
- Reddit's reputation isn't exactly the most polished social networking platform, given its vast variety of controversial threads and topics. However, the LGBT communities manage to thrive based on user-submitted content and passionate moderators who maintain inclusive social groups.
- Datalounge maintains the old-fashioned design of forums alive with members engaging in various topics in the LGBTQ+ community, from news to celebrity gossip. The website's quality is practically barebones in its design and can offset users from looking for a sophisticated platform.
Top News Media
Reliable news is a vital resource for people to remain up-to-date about the issues that adversely affect them locally and abroad. While social networks succeeded in partially replacing media, many still prefer stories from trusted professional authors. Some of the best online resources are listed below and include:
- LGBTQNation is an online news magazine that delivers issues regarding the community both in the U.S. and around the globe. Its journalism mainly promotes a pro-LGBT perspective with a critical eye for reports and editorials.
- Pink News primarily highlights news from the United Kingdom but also includes reports from other nations, including the United States.
- Advocate highlights news regarding LGBTQ+ culture in politics, arts, entertainment, and commentary on significant issues in the community.
- Queerty delivers all the goods for entertainment and pop culture with a special emphasis on viral content across social media.
Community Events
Most members of the LGBT community rely on local organizations, favorite social media accounts, calls in social networks, and volunteer groups to find events in their area. Popular events are rare unless they harbinger on commemorating gay pride in June or gains significant media and social networks coverage. For those looking for local events nearby and across the country, some of the best free websites are:
- IGTLA, also known as the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, is one of only a few websites that share events, tours, and travel tips for LGBT adventure-seekers. It advocates for those who want to see the world safely no matter what their sexuality is.
- NYCGO lists all of the best places to visit and sites to see in New York City. Features include a search for LGBTQ+ related activities, restaurants, bars, and concerts.
- MeetUp gives access to search for a wide range of local meet-ups based on interests from film and books to politics. A space designated for LGBT events where website visitors can find specific clubs for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals is also included.
- GayCities is a city guide to finding local pride parades and events, but it also consists of other places in various locations around the country.
Dating apps and sites
Online dating's changed the way LGBTQ+ singles find that special someone in their life whether it's for a quick fling or a long-term commitment. It's no longer taboo to invite a virtual Cupid into one's romantic life and fall in love. The difficulty of dating apps, however, is the number of fake or abandoned accounts over legitimate matches that can be a major turn-off for new users. Moreover, apps for the gay community whether they are free or not mostly lack social networking features. However, some of the websites and apps are better adjusted to meet gay men, lesbians, queers, and other tribes needs:
- EliteSingles helps gay and lesbian singles date or seek long-term commitments. It's easy to set up a quick profile based on background details, and the site maintains a trustworthy reputation for valid matchmaking.
- GayTryst hooks up gay and bisexual men who can fulfill each other's sexual fantasies or share in a quick chat with just a quick swipe. It's one of the longest-running sites to match gay men together.
- SCRUFF. If you like men who are little rough around the edges, then SCRUFF may be the best gay hookup app to pick. SCRUFF employs one of the best matching systems to learn your preferences in guys as you use the app, allowing it to continue providing increasingly suitable potential hookups the more you use it.
KeYou: All-in-One LGBTQ Social Network
Instead of downloading several apps for various activities, an online space that includes more than one function would fill in a missing gap in the LGBT community. However, a significant pattern emerges when gay social networking sites try to break the mold of traditional platforms that focus on one medium. They often fail to acquire new gay members or lack the resources to promote their site and gain memberships. An all-in-one online space (dating, networking, news, community events, etc.) for gays should avoid certain pitfalls to be a true success.
- Smoother interface. Too many websites, especially forums, are stuck in the past when it comes to design. An updated interface helps members access the site easily and offers trust that their info is secure.
- User-friendly. Let members socialize with each other without restricting access to messaging, liking, following, etc.
- Safety. Even the most popular social media networks struggle against hate speech. A customer service system would need to be in place to combat cyberbullying and make it free of harassment. Especially for the gay community.
Innovative entrepreneurs and tech-savvy companies already provide access to essential information, entertainment, and social networking that gay men, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals are searching for. Individual sites, apps, and networks currently offer features that attract a large and passionate following that's hungry for more content.
To meet all demands of the gay community KeYou has been created. It is an ultimate combination of the above features and much more. Designed as an all-in-one dating and entertainment platform for gay millennials, it provides users with plenty of unique experiences. Those include secure virtual (video) dates and social networking. Launched initially for the gay community in NYC, it is now scaling nationwide. All kinds of gay men can be found there, including bears, seniors, and youngsters. KeYou also owns the same name media featuring news, events, and blogs for gay lifestyle to flourish, and every good gay man can find his gay Mr. Right.
