A new app for gay men seeking connections with other gay men hit the market this summer — but it’s no Grindr or Adam4Adam.
Mench’d, created by Justin Maxx, seeks to redefine the way gay men use online “dating” apps in order to make connections by setting a precedent for users: This app is exclusively for men seeking long-term romantic relationships.
Crazy, right?
Maybe not so much. Many gay men have vocalized shared frustrations over interactions and connections established through Grindr or other location-based gay “dating” apps. Many think that this way of connecting negatively affects one’s chances of finding and sustaining a lasting connection. Noteable LGBT nightlife personalities have also expressed a concern over the way Grindr has redefined the way gay men meet other gay men, their way of building and experiencing community, and the overall impact on nightlife in general.
Mench’d functions by utilizing a series of questions to determine one’s personality and compatibility level with other gay men looking for love in their area, pinpointing an exact percentage of compatibility.
In a statement emailed to The Huffington Post, Mench’d creator Justin Maxx stated,
The other dating apps on the market are amazing for playful, fun, communication, but there is definitely a need for an app based around love. There are so many apps for “encounters” and one-night stands, and this is what I’ve focused on staying away from. The casualness is cool, but it doesn’t allow for a dating life. We all deserve to be loved sexually and emotionally and the truth is, it’s hard to find that! At the end of the day, we are all looking for a best friend and a life partner, and you can find this on Mench’d.
That being said, if you’re tired of wading through pictures of naked torsos and profiles telling you “Masc For Masc ONLY,” maybe you should give Mench’d a try.
Also, if you’re a queer or trans identifying woman looking for love or companionship, be sure to check out Wing Ma’am — a new app designed for specifically that.
