Survey measuring experiences of Grindr users living in 21 territories show large majority reporting self-acceptance despite adversity

Los Angeles & Beirut, Oct. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Grindr, the world’s largest queer mobile social network, in partnership with the MENA Organization for Services, Advocacy, Integration & Capacity (MOSAIC), today released the results of a new survey report “The Regional Livelihood of GBTQ Using Grindr,” which captures the experiences of gay, bi, trans and queer (GBTQ) Grindr users living in the Middle East and North Africa.

The survey results were presented at an official reception in Hamra on October 3, which included a panel discussion on insights around several key findings and topics from the report, such as:

• Family Acceptance: 71% of all respondents reported that their parents and/or relatives do not know at all about their sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). 13% of respondents said their parents and/or relatives know about their SOGI; however, only 6% said their family is supportive.
• Self-Acceptance: The vast majority of respondents (72%) said they are happy with their sexual orientation.
• Legal Rights: 64% of respondents said they either did not know or are unsure of what their legal rights are within their own local community. 86% of respondents reported that they either do not know what to do or are unsure of what to do in the event they are arrested.
• Mental Health: 75% of respondents reported they struggle with anxiety, depression or both, while only 25% indicated they had no feelings of anxiety or depression.

“This report provides some of the only quantitative information on the experiences of gay, bi, trans, and queer people in the Middle East-North Africa region,” said Jack Harrison-Quintana, executive director of Grindr for Equality and VP of Social Impact at Grindr. “We encourage LGBTQ+ organizations to use this research to support their missions, including in grant proposals, in their awareness raising campaigns, and as a source of information to set the agenda for their programs, services, and advocacy.”

The survey results are broken into three chapters: a regional overview of the legal and social situation for GBTQ participants based by country or territory; the full findings of the survey as it relates to experiences of violence, discrimination in housing, employment and religion, legal rights, sexual and mental health, family acceptance, friendships and relationships; and, lastly, a deep dive look into housing discrimination, experiences of trans respondents and the contrast between the Moroccan and Lebanese results.

Additionally, the report provides a closer look at the current crisis in Syria, where refugees are facing multiple forms of discrimination as the result of being both GBTQ and a member of a refugee community.

“The results of this survey shed some much-needed light on the work that needs to be done by NGOs to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ+ community, especially in Lebanon, and our region in general,” said Charbel Maydaa, Founder and Director at MOSAIC. “As a personal success story for MOSAIC, the survey gave us direct access to the community and we were able to convey the services that we offer to the participants. We are happy to say that almost 50% of MOSAIC’s current beneficiaries were connected through the Grindr survey and messages.”

“I was honored to be a part of the group of activists from around the region who came together to build this survey,” said Azza Sultan, associate director of Grindr for Equality. “By enlisting the support of representatives from around the region, we were able to create a questionnaire that is locally relevant, inclusive, and covers the information we need to further our work in the region.”

Nearly 1,800 users were recruited through broadcast messages on Grindr and participated in the survey, which was open for a period of one month during September 2016. Respondents identified themselves as being from 21 territories, including Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Algeria, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Syria, Turkey, Sudan, Yemen, Mauritania, Libya and Western Sahara. Initial data cleaning and analysis of the survey, which was fielded in Arabic, English and French, was conducted by the Center for Transnational Development and Collaboration (CTDC).

To view the full report, with more information on findings, methodology and demographics of the survey, please visit https://www.mosaicmena.org/publications or https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/dba79f_a20db964582842c0bcd4c3cdc8d31bfb.pdf.

ABOUT MOSAIC

MOSAIC, the MENA Organization for Services, Advocacy, Integration & Capacity Building, is a holistic program committed to improve the health and wellness of the LGBTQI+ community in Lebanon and beyond. Through its national presence in Lebanon and its regional networks in the Middle East-North Africa region, MOSAIC’s strategic goal is to achieve the coexistence of people in friendly communities and national systems. Founded by activists and legal and health experts, MOSAIC provides comprehensive services for the marginalized groups, research and advocate for policy reform, build knowledge and capacities on SOGIE issues, and engage the societies in the fight against human rights violations.

ABOUT GRINDR FOR EQUALITY

Grindr for Equality (G4E) is an initiative within Grindr focused on the ever-evolving mission to promote justice, health, safety, and more for LGBTQ individuals around the globe. G4E works with health, digital rights and LGBTQ/human rights organizations as well as local community leaders and queer activists to find ways of using the Grindr app, technology and platform to mobilize, inform, protect and empower Grindr users.

G4E has played an important role in a number of LGBTQ related causes including helping to advance the cause for legalized same sex marriage in the US and Australia; making Grindr safer for users in places where it’s not safe to be out, such as the Middle East/North Africa region; and more recently led the initiative to make Grindr more trans inclusive. Jack Harrison-Quintana, Director of Grindr For Equality, has been named one of Fast Company’s 2016 Top 100 Most Creative People in Business and one of Foreign Policy Magazine’s 2016 Top Global Thinkers.

ABOUT GRINDR

With 3.8 million daily active users in every country in the world, Grindr is the largest LGBTQ+ mobile social network. Since its launch in 2009, Grindr has grown to become a fundamental part of users’ daily lives globally. The company continues to expand their ecosystem to enable all users to connect to the world around them. Through INTO, a digital content channel for and by the LGBTQ+ community, various events, and experiential opportunities, Grindr is helping users engage across the spectrum.

Headquartered in West Hollywood, California, Grindr is a Certified Transgender-Inclusive Business and encompasses a diverse and passionate family of makers, innovators, leaders, and most importantly, doers. Grindr employees are fueled by an endless curiosity, an ability to embrace change, a respectful and collaborative work environment, and a knack for crossing every finish line. Grindr is proud to have been recognized by Fast Company as one of the ten “Most Innovative Social Media Companies in 2016” and by Forbes as a “model for corporate social responsibility.” Grindr is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Landen Zumwalt
Grindr
(424) 260-5264
Landen.Zumwalt@grindr.com