The big question LGBTQ daters are asking, according to Hinge

It’s Pride month, and although LGBTQ daters are gay all year long, the spotlight is on them this June. As such, Hinge recently published its annual DATE (Data, Advice, Trends and Expertise) report to outline what dating is currently like for today’s queer singles.

This year’s report is titled “Clarity Builds Chemistry” and discusses the uncertainty young LGBTQ daters feel. (Not surprising, given the amount of uncertainty in the world at large right now, that this would impact individuals’ personal lives.)

In a January 2026 survey of more than 31,000 global respondents, Hinge found that more LGBTQ daters feel very much or great uncertainty about the world than heterosexual daters (76 to 52 percent, respectively), but they may also find uncertainty helpful. Seventy-four percent of LGBTQ daters say uncertainty helps them understand what they’re looking for in relationships. Uncertainty contributes to these daters identifying dealbreakers, clarifying their priorities, and identifying what feels right versus wrong.

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The community also helps LGBTQ daters. Hinge found that quirky daters are asking, “Would I bring this personality to my friends?” Instead of, “What are we?” This may be due to the importance of chosen family for young LGBTQ people.

Thus, gay daters are 33 percent more likely than straight daters to say it matters to their friends that they like the person they’re dating (this rises to 37 percent for trans daters). They are 20 percent more likely to want to check whether a potential partner is a good fit for their friend circle. In a world of uncertainty, it is important to have a solid support system.

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Hinge found that consistency also makes LGBTQ daters comfortable in their uncertain world: 86 percent said that consistent communication with the person they’re starting to date makes them feel less anxious. 78 percent said making clear plans also made them feel less anxious (compared with 56 percent of heterosexual daters).

PDA in an early relationship helps more than half (65 percent) of LGBTQ daters feel more secure, but they are 50 percent more likely than straight daters to be hesitant to show affection on a first date because they feel unsafe in their surroundings. Hinge’s love and relationship expert, Mo Ari Brown, writes that, “You don’t have to share the same comfort level to have a great date: Being present and responsive turns a potential point of tension into a moment of real connection.”

Brown adds, “Asking each other what kind of affection feels good in public — and which feels better in private — reassures PDA.”

And forget deadlines. More LGBTQ daters, especially bisexual daters (76 percent and 83 percent), compared to straight daters (64 percent) focus on building a relationship with someone gradually rather than moving forward on a fixed timeline. Overall, LGBTQ daters are more likely to say that settling down is not a step, but a mindset.

These findings contrast with Hinge’s November 2025 DATE report, which was about communications and AI. Less than a year later, daters — especially LGBTQ ones — are focusing more on clarity, whether it’s public displays of affection, or private affirmations.