The Dark Side of Grindr

Unraveling the tangled web of Grindr’s hidden agenda. An expose on how this app serves up more than just hookups.

Nathan Chen
6 min readMay 7, 2023
Photo by benjamin lehman on Unsplash

Picture this: You’re on Grindr, swiping away at potential matches, all while getting a healthy dose of cute, charming, and sometimes downright hilarious pickup lines. But, lurking beneath the surface of your seemingly innocent digital romance, there’s a dark secret. Turns out, the app that’s become synonymous with casual hookups and endless fun is also a hotbed for hate.

Who would’ve thought that an app meant for romantic (or not-so-romantic) rendezvous could become an instrument for spreading hate faster than Regina George could ruin lives in “Mean Girls”? But here we are, living in a world where Grindr’s potential to serve up hatred is as real as Kim Kardashian’s love for selfies.

The Dark Side of the Swipe

Grindr’s reputation as a meeting place for gay, bi, and trans people is hardly a secret. But what’s less known is the app’s darker side – the trolling, the bullying, and the harassment. Users are reporting that not only is Grindr a platform for people to be their true selves, but it’s also a place where the darkest parts of humanity can hide in plain sight.

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Nathan Chen

I'm Nathan Chen, a queer Asian writer advocating for LGBTQ+ issues, Asian representation, work life & mental health. Let's explore life's complexities together!