Grindr Survey Reveals Major Gap on the Importance of Equality Among Users as an Election Issue

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Grindr for Equality surveyed its American user-base regarding the upcoming Presidential election and found that, regardless of political affiliation, the top of mind issue this election season is the economy and job creation (46%), followed by equality (29%) and healthcare (11%). Although equality came in second for both parties, Republican users had a larger margin between their concern for the economy and their quest for equality, with a 65 percent disparity compared to their Democratic counterparts.

Early in the election season, Grindr for Equality announced its plan to create awareness about equality issues by mobilizing gay men as a political bloc in the 2012 elections by delivering geo-targeted messages about equality issues to its 1.5 million U.S.-based users. In response to the survey results, Grindr posted a blog on the importance of equality, calling attention to the struggles faced by the GLBT community. "A vote for Romney is a vote against your own economic interests – definitely not in favor of them," the post reads. According to the company, Mitt Romney's economic policy will directly -- and negatively – impact the finances of the GLBT community since same-sex couples will not be awarded the same marriage benefits and tax benefits as are awarded to straight couples.

The nationwide survey, conducted in late-September with approximately 8,200 respondents, showed that 14 percent of Grindr users identified themselves as Republicans, compared with the 60 percent of users who identified themselves as Democrats, 22 percent as Independents and 4 percent as Libertarians. Out of those users surveyed, 18 percent plan on voting for the Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan ticket, whereas 76 percent of users plan to support the Barack Obama-Joe Biden ticket. With the presidential race being as tight as it is, it's important to note that a quarter of Grindr survey respondents that anticipate voting for Romney in the 2012 election are from swing states, such as Florida, Ohio and New Hampshire.

Grindr for Equality has been working to enhance GLBT rights this election season by creating awareness regarding equality issues, encouraging Grindr users to vote and promoting knowledge of those candidates who support GLBT initiatives. Grindr is continuing to look for ways to stay involved with the political process by tapping into its engaged community of more than 4.5 million users to receive from them regular updates on GLBT issues on a local, national and international scale. Individuals and like-minded groups are encouraged to send an email with basic contact information and a brief description of how the issue relates to the GLBT community and how Grindr for Equality could provide assistance. Submissions can be sent via email to [email protected], or visit Grindr.com/Equality for additional information. To download a sample image of the broadcast message Grindr for Equality plans to send this election season, visit www.Grindr.com/election2012.

Grindr for Equality will be holding "Grindr for Equality presents Election Night 2012" viewing party at Eleven Nightclub in Los Angeles from 5-10 p.m.

About Grindr for Equality
Grindr for Equality was established by Grindr to raise awareness for GLBT issues and spur action across the globe. Launched in 2009, Grindr is the premier all-male geo-social network that uses location-based technologies to bring together a global community of more than 4.5 million users in 192 countries. Leveraging its geo-targeting software and massive global user base, Grindr has the capacity to provide assistance within the GLBT community and harness the power of its location-based network to contact people in specific geographic areas en masse. This has included participation in recent significant GLBT campaigns, such as the overturning of Proposition 8 and the recent passage of marriage equality in New York State. For more information about Grindr for Equality, please visit Grindr4Equality.com.

The Grindr app is available for free on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android and BlackBerry devices. For more information on the app, please visit Grindr.com or Grindr.com/Press.

SOURCE Grindr