“They were talking to an idea they had about me”: a qualitative analysis of transgender individuals’ experiences using dating apps
“They were talking to an idea they had about me”: a qualitative analysis of transgender individuals’ experiences using dating apps
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.
119-132
Griffiths, Daniel Alfie
6094a84b-7e8b-401b-a620-82b27582635d
Armstrong, Heather
3dc9c223-1a61-47ad-ab0b-50d06cddf4f2
2024
Griffiths, Daniel Alfie
6094a84b-7e8b-401b-a620-82b27582635d
Armstrong, Heather
3dc9c223-1a61-47ad-ab0b-50d06cddf4f2
Griffiths, Daniel Alfie and Armstrong, Heather
(2024)
“They were talking to an idea they had about me”: a qualitative analysis of transgender individuals’ experiences using dating apps.
Journal of Sex Research, 61 (1), .
(doi:10.1080/00224499.2023.2176422).
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.
Text
Griffiths and Armstrong Trans Dating Apps Final accepted version
- Accepted Manuscript
Text
They Were Talking to an Idea They Had About Me A Qualitative Analysis of Transgender Individuals Experiences Using Dating Apps
- Version of Record
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e-pub ahead of print date: 17 February 2023
Published date: 2024
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 475650
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/475650
ISSN: 0022-4499
PURE UUID: 4ec4fb51-45ef-40af-8fb4-f5e714b42a78
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Date deposited: 23 Mar 2023 17:44
Last modified: 06 Jun 2024 02:05
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Author:
Daniel Alfie Griffiths
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