“They Were Talking to an Idea They Had About Me”: A Qualitative Analysis of Transgender Individuals’ Experiences Using Dating Apps

2023/02/17 by Daniel A. Griffiths, Heather L. Armstrong · 19 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Gender studies #Gender, Feminism, and Media #Human sexuality #LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy #Lesbian #Psychoanalysis #Psychology #Qualitative research #Queer #Romance #Sexual identity #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology #Sociology #Thematic analysis #Transgender

paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/00224499.2023.2176422

published in The Journal of Sex Research 61(1), 119-132 (Taylor & Francis)

openalex publication_date 2023/02/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

Dating app use is common and has become particularly relevant for transgender and non-binary people seeking platonic, romantic, and sexual connections with others. In this qualitative study, 15 transgender and non-binary individuals (M = 22.67 years, SD = 3.09 years) were interviewed to explore their experiences using dating apps. Thematic analysis was used to generate themes and subthemes. Six themes were identified: 1) connection to queer community; 2) expression of gender identity on dating apps; 3) fetishization on dating apps; 4) impacts of dating apps on sexual experiences; 5) safety on dating apps; and 6) recommendations for dating app developers. Results show that dating apps are an important tool used by trans/non-binary individuals to connect with others in the queer community and find platonic, romantic, and sexual partners. However, there are concerns about their use such as fears for safety and experiences of fetishization. More research, education, and implementations of app development, including the involvement of trans and non-binary people, are needed to address these concerns.

Citations

• “Being Talked to Like I Was a Sex Toy, Like Being Transgender Was Simply for the Enjoyment of Someone Else”: Fetishization and Sexualization of Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals

Cited by

• “I Feel the Most Pleasure When I Don’t Have to Worry”: On Sexual Comfort, t4t, and Trans Pleasure
• Fetishization of LGBTQ people [wikipedia]
• The Role of Substance Misuse and Sexual Victimization History on Sexual Violence Risk Perception in Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Novel Paradigm. [europepmc]
• The Overlooked and the Overstudied: A Scoping Review of Qualitative Research on Pursuing Sexual, Romantic, and Loving Relationships Through Online Dating. [europepmc]
• Diverse Gender and Sexual Identity in Romantic Partner Selection Experiences: An Exploration of Similarities, Differences, and Potential Explanations. [europepmc]
• Dating App Safety Among Older Women in Australia: Using Informational Videos for Effective Safety Messaging Delivery. [europepmc]
• Relationship experiences of transgender and non-binary adults: Exploring dating goals, relationship structures, minority stress, sexual fetishization, and relationship victimization. [europepmc]

Related

• Hiding the gender binary behind the ‘other’.
• Transgender exclusion from the world of dating: Patterns of acceptance and rejection of hypothetical trans dating partners as a function of sexual and gender identity
• Safe on My Phone? Same-Sex Attracted Young People’s Negotiations of Intimacy, Visibility, and Risk on Digital Hook-Up Apps
• Understanding apps concerning gender and sex(ualities): A scoping review
• The quest for meaningful connections: Navigating scripted sexuality on Instagram amid Grindr and Tinder fatigue