Hinge is doling out dating advice for the LGBTQ+ community, but HER isn’t taking it.
Earlier this month, Hinge released their second annual LGBTQIA+ D.A.T.E (Data, Advice, Trends, and Expertise) Report. According to their research, the #1 thing all queer daters are searching for is emotional intimacy and building trust. Hinge thought they were doing all the gay people a favor by suggesting we try a “slowmance,” AKA stop U-Hauling and “embrace a soft start”.
While the idea of lesbians bringing a moving truck to the second date has its comedic merit, it also has a deep history in queer culture. Moving in together quickly began in the ’50s and early ’60s, according to The Atlantic. In a time where it was unsafe for gay people to be out and openly with their partner and living together offered a way for lesbians to privately be themselves. It also offered financial security, as women made less than men (a wage gap that continues today).
HER, a sapphic dating app, is acknowledging this history and a queer gal’s right to U-Haul. In an Instagram post, the app poked fun at Hinge’s report, stating: “we’re sapphics, of course we’re gonna move in together.”
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The post went on to say, “date how you want, not how straight apps tell you to.”
HER took it one step further, partnering with Piece of Cake Moving and Storage to get all the gays a discount code (use HER for 5-10% off your next move). “Because love doesn’t need to move slowly and neither should you,” the caption says.
“This is the gayest coupon of all time, we’ve made it, happy pride y’all,” one commenter wrote.
“Thank you for owning lesbian culture when other platforms look down on it!” said another.
While Hinge’s attempt to advise gay couples to “slow down,” plan “low pressure dates,” and “soft launch” their relationship online was surely good-natured, they might want to think twice before suggesting lesbians cancel their moving truck.
