In honor of National Coming Out Day (October 11) and Spirit Day (October 17), GLAAD together with eharmony has released a report which explores the ways dating apps and pop culture intersect with how the LGBTQ community shares  their identities in their dating lives.

The report unpacks brand new insights from the LGBTQ community (age 18+) and includes tips from Alex Schmider, GLAAD’s Senior Director of Entertainment & Transgender Inclusion.

Some key findings from the report include:

Trans and Nonbinary daters:

• The #1 reason transgender and nonbinary people reported not disclosing their gender is that they might be fetishized (45%)
• Concerns of being bullied rose 3x higher among transgender participants compared to cis participants
• 58% find it hard to know who will be accepting of their gender
• 53% feel like an after-thought by dating app companies
• 41% feel unwanted by cis people

Bi+ Daters:

• 74% of all LGBTQ+ respondents say that bisexuality is still misunderstood in our society
• When cis gay men and lesbians were asked about their feelings dating a bisexual person, 87% said they were open to it
• 43% said that indicating their sexuality on dating profiles gives them more options and helps them confirm who is interested in them
• 42% said they don’t like having to interact with straight people on dating apps
• 30% reported men tend to fetishize them
• 26% reported feeling judged by others in the LGBTQ+ community

WLW Daters:

• Many cis women are turning to dating apps to not only explore their sexual orientation and gender identity (41%), but to authentically express themselves when dating someone as their true selves (45%)
  • 61% report having deeper emotional intimacy when dating women

Several myths and stereotypes about sapphic relationships were debunked by the study as well:

• U-Hauling: Only 26% of cis lesbian and gay women report moving in together too quickly. “U-Hauling” isn’t as pervasive as we thought.
• Lesbian Bed Death: Only 33% of cis lesbian and gay women said sex life declines over time when dating the same person, and 43% said they have a better sex life because their partners understand their body.
• Friend-zoning: Just over one-quarter, 28% said they can’t get out of the friendzone.
• Is there really a Masc Lesbian shortage? This past summer there was social media chatter regarding a lack of masc lesbians, but only 17% said they have experienced this

“eharmony continues to be an incredible example of what brands can achieve when choosing to responsibly support and serve their LGBTQ audiences and consumers, especially in the face of anti-LGBTQ attacks on corporate inclusion,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Together with GLAAD, eharmony’s new study measuring dating and pop culture sentiment will have a profound impact on expanding our understanding of the roles dating apps play in the coming out process and sharing identities. Coinciding with National Coming Out Day and Spirit Day, organized by GLAAD, this research underscores the fact that while there is no correct timeline for coming out, LGBTQ people must feel safe and supported in the coming out process, no matter how or where they decide to.”

“Younger generations are more likely to be LGBTQ than the generations before them. While the LGBTQ community, including our corporate allies, is facing extraordinary levels of legislative and cultural backlash, LGBTQ people are wanting places to feel safe and be able to be fully themselves,” Ellis said. “Providing places that not only invite and welcome LGBTQ people, but also take measures to protect and support their belonging will not only bring about connection online but create a more accepting world outside.”

“While we know that storytelling allows LGBTQ+ people to more clearly see themselves and be seen by others, we cannot underestimate the power of out and visible LGBTQ+ people in our culture who impact the way LGBTQ+ people feel about themselves, particularly those who are transgender,” Alex Schmider stated. 75% of respondents said that seeing transgender people in the media gives them more confidence. According to Schmider, “It’s not always been the case that LGBTQ+ people could be out as public figures but as they are, more LGBTQ+ people relate to and can find confidence in their examples.”

Read the full report here.