Pride in Every Swipe: Tinder’s Queer Made Weekend Returns

This June, Tinder is bringing Pride celebrations from the digital world into vibrant real-life spaces with the return of its much-loved Queer Made Weekend. The annual event, curated by Gaysi Family, kicked off in New Delhi and is set to light up Mumbai next, creating a powerful platform for queer creativity, community, and entrepreneurship.

A Festival of Queer Talent and Businesses

Held at DLF Promenade in Delhi on June 8 and scheduled for June 21 at Mumbai’s Famous Studios, Queer Made Weekend is more than just a party—it’s a showcase of India’s diverse LGBTQIA+ talent. Entry is free with RSVP, making it accessible to all who want to join in the celebration.

The Delhi edition featured a star-studded lineup, including:

• Rani Ko-HE-Nur (Sushant Divgikar): Performer and activist known for electrifying stage presence.
• DJ Della: Spinning Bollywood, Afro, and Techno House beats.
• Lola & Mohan: A duo blending classical and Arab-rooted vocals with multi-instrumental flair.
• DUA: A pop group mixing Hindi and English tunes.
• LadyFingers and Pavani Mehra: Artists known for their unique musical and lyrical styles.

But the event wasn’t just about music. Attendees could also explore a bustling marketplace of queer-owned businesses, from illustrators like FruitySideUp to candle makers (House of Hestia, Ro’s Apothecary), fashion labels (Palat, Planet), and jewelry brands (Astitva, Sheer). This gave visitors a chance to discover new products and meet the creative minds behind them.

More Than a Celebration—A Platform for Visibility

Tinder’s commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community goes beyond just hosting events. “Authenticity and inclusivity are values we actively invest in,” said Anukool Kumar, Tinder India’s head of marketing. “Queer Made Weekend is dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and amplifying businesses and products that are made, owned, and run by India’s LGBTQIA+ community”.

Sakshi Juneja, founder of Gaysi Family, echoed this sentiment: “Pride is more than just a celebration—it’s about building platforms for queer voices, talent, and dreams. It’s a space for our community to take center stage—not just during Pride, but year-round”.

Tinder’s Pride Stickers: Self-Expression with Real Impact

Alongside the offline festivities, Tinder has reintroduced its annual in-app Pride profile stickers, turning digital self-expression into real-world support. This year’s sticker options include “Happy Pride,” “Proud,” “Ally,” “Protect Trans People,” “Pride Flag,” and “Shine On.” Users can add, change, or remove stickers in the Edit Profile section of the app.

For every sticker added during June, Tinder will donate $1 USD to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), up to $50,000 USD, with a total pledge of up to $100,000 USD. This initiative lets users show their Pride while directly supporting LGBTQIA+ advocacy.

Data Shows Growing LGBTQIA+ Visibility

Tinder’s own data highlights a cultural shift:

• 30% of all matches on the app are now between LGBTQ+ users.
• In 2024, Tinder saw a 66% increase in queer matches compared to the previous year.
• 76% of young people say their generation is more open to gender and sexual fluidity, and 33% have experienced it themselves.
• More than half of 18-25 year old LGBTQIA+ users say they came out on a dating app before doing so in real life.

This data shows how platforms like Tinder are helping young people connect, express themselves, and find acceptance.

Pride Is a Mindset, Not Just a Month

“At Tinder, Pride isn’t just a month—it’s a mindset,” said Aditi Shorewal, communications lead for Tinder India and Korea. With over 50 gender identities and nine sexual orientations available on the app, Tinder empowers users to be their true selves, both online and offline.