Content in partnership with KCBS

Growing Pains of a Queer Woman On Dating Apps

06.08.23
Growing Pains of a Queer Woman On Dating Apps (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

I recently entered the world of flirting and real-life romance. Throughout most of my life, I never really saw myself represented in the world of dating as a queer woman. This is especially true of dating apps. 

Sure, I knew that the online world of dating wasn’t perfect. But I wasn’t prepared for how many men I would scroll past who fetishized queer and trans women. 

In a way, this made it harder to find people that I wanted to be with, because it made me want to spend less time on the app. 

But honestly, I feel ready to start dating. And to me, there is something incredibly validating about being with someone who understands your experience as a queer person. 

So despite these issues, it’s still worth it to keep trying. And I have met people that I like through the app. But I wish more dating apps would keep LGBTQ+ people’s needs and safety in mind. 

Emma Schulman, (she/they) is a political science major at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Edited by Shaylyn Martos and Amber Ly

Support the Next Generation of Content Creators
Invest in the diverse voices that will shape and lead the future of journalism and art.
donate now
Support the Next Generation of Content Creators
Invest in the diverse voices that will shape and lead the future of journalism and art.
donate now