Ahh, Grindr! That “Portal to Pleasure.”

When Grindr debuted in March 2009, it was one of the first geosocial apps for LGBTQ+  individuals. It has become the largest and most popular mobile app for our community.

So, for countless Gay/SGL men, Grindr is their go-to way of “reaching out and touching” each other. (And I ain’t talkin’ about anything related to the Diana Ross classic, “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand!” LOL.)  The app is a mainstay for “gittin’ yo’ freak on.”   

But a dark side has emerged:  as a result of Grindr hookups, there has been an alarming increase in the incidences of sexual assault and violence worldwide. The following are a few disturbing and glaring examples:   

  • In November 2024, 12 Maryland university students were arrested for allegedly attacking a gay/SGL man using the app. The incident occurred in October of that year, when a man was lured to an off-campus apartment by a group of students who then assaulted him. The students involved, including those from Salisbury University, were charged with assault and hate crimes. 
  • In December 2025, two men, part of what police have called “London’s most prolific Grindr gang,” were jailed for a combined eight-and-a-half years after using the dating app to target victims. The perpetrators stole phones, passports, and wallets in 35 burglaries and 20 related frauds, totaling nearly $91,000 USD over six months. One victim was hospitalized due to stress when loans and overdrafts were taken out in his name. The sentencing judge stated that the men relied on victims “being too embarrassed to report the crime.”
  • Recent cases in Australia and South Africa, where a gang allegedly used Grindr to kidnap, assault, and rob men, have been reported. The fear of retaliation and societal judgment prevents many victims from reporting these crimes, especially in areas of the world where same-sex relationships are judged much more harshly.

According to Safer-america.com’s “Sexual Assault & Online Dating Apps: What You Can Do to Stay Protected,” Brenda Elazab wrote, “Online-dating-related sexual assault has multiplied over the years. According to Phactual, 1 out of every 10 sex offenders uses online dating to meet other people.”

Elazab added, “A study pulled by Statista portal of statistics and studies also found that 61% of Americans ages 18-29 have used an online dating App within their lifetime, which has nearly tripled in the past decade.”

Therefore, how can a hearty, horny, and (over) heated guy protect himself? First and foremost, be aware of the power and influence that sex and drugs can have on your decision-making process. If you don’t, you might end up in a whole heap of trouble.

Adhere to the following steps to safeguard yourself:

  • Vetting Before Meeting. Have a conversation before agreeing to meet; preferably, FaceTime with him. Pay close attention to verbal and visual cues that could be warning signs that something is not quite right, that something is off. Is he slurring his words? Is he a tad more than ‘eccentric’? Check whether his app profile is synced with his social media profile. And make sure you get a real phone number!
  • Before the “Main Event.” Make sure to give a trusted buddy all of the pertinent details about the encounter—the who, the when, the where, etc. Text/call that buddy just before you enter your hookup’s domain…or right before he saunters into yours. And when the main event’s over, contact that buddy to let him know you’re okay. Food for thought: having a can of pepper spray ain’t a bad idea!
  • Listen to Your Gut. Always remember: your instincts can be your most potent weapon. When your gut tells you something isn’t right, you need to listen. Bottom line: Don’t let your desire to get laid overwhelm and then overrule your instincts!

So, “git dat freak on!” But do it thoughtfully and carefully. That way, you can live to freak another day.

To Note: The information in this article is relevant for ALL dating/hookup apps.