Queer Dating: The Rise of Label-Fluid Dating

A growing number of LGBTQIA+ people, especially younger individuals, are rejecting rigid identity categories in favour of a more open and intuitive approach to dating.

That’s according to Hinge’s newly released LGBTQIA+ D.A.T.E. (Data, Advice, Trends, Expertise) Report, Love Beyond Labels, which surveyed over 14,000 LGBTQIA+ and heterosexual users around the world.

The dating app found that queer daters are moving away from fixed identity categories in favour of so-called “label-fluid dating.” The study also reveals growing “label fatigue” and a desire to define attraction on one’s own terms.

“LGBTQIA+ daters are over being boxed in,” notes the report. “They’re prioritising chemistry, emotional connection, and shared energy over rigid identity categories.”

Pressure to “Perform” Gender Still Persists

The report also uncovers the often-overlooked impact of labels on how individuals express themselves when dating.

Half of LGBTQIA+ daters said they have felt pressure to present as more masculine or feminine in order to attract someone—and nearly a third of those later regretted not staying true to themselves.

Additionally, 28% of LGBTQIA+ daters reported feeling label fatigue, a number that jumps to 48% among queer-identifying individuals.

“Are labels putting pressure on me to show up a certain way with people I’m interested in? How do I want to express myself authentically?” the report asks, encouraging users to reflect on how identity terms may restrict rather than empower.

Attraction Beyond “Type”

Hinge also found that a significant number of daters are challenging their own preferences—at least in thought.

One in three users said they had considered dating someone outside their usual gender preference, but more than half didn’t act on those feelings. Among those who hesitated:

• 50% doubted their feelings,
• 34% were unfamiliar with queer dating,
• and 25% feared rejection.

Yet, for those who did take the leap, attraction was sparked less by appearance and more by connection. Among users who experienced unexpected attraction:

• 80% said it was about the person’s “energy and vibe,”
• 48% cited confidence,
• and 48% said humour sealed the deal.

“If we let assumptions guide who we pursue (or dismiss), we risk missing out on magical relationships. True compatibility isn’t about matching labels—it’s about how you show up for each other,” remarked Moe Ari Brown (they/he), Hinge’s Love & Connection Expert.

Gen Z is Leading the Label-Fluid Charge

Unsurprisingly, Gen Z is at the forefront of this cultural shift. With greater access to diverse representation and language around gender and sexuality, Gen Z daters are more likely to challenge traditional dating scripts.

Compared to Millennials:

• Gen Z LGBTQIA+ daters are 21% more likely to date people with a range of gender expressions,
• 22% more likely to be open to sexual connections outside their typical gender preference,
• and 39% more likely to reconsider their own sexuality labels based on an unexpected attraction.

This trend reflects a wider movement among younger queer daters to build relationships based on emotional resonance and shared values, rather than traditional “types.”

The Future of Dating Is Fluid

“Whether they’re exploring new labels, challenging old assumptions, or prioritising emotional connection over fixed ‘types,’ one thing is clear: the future of dating is fluid, expansive, and entirely self-defined,” said Brown.

American LGBTQ+ media advocacy group, GLAAD, welcomed the report.

“As GLAAD continues to track the alarming rise in anti-LGBTQ violence and rhetoric, from book bans to legislative moves — particularly targeting trans people — research and insights like these remind us that LGBTQ people are still choosing joy, connection, and personal truth over anything else,” commented Tony Morrison, GLAAD’s Senior Director of Communications.

“LGBTQ people — especially trans and queer daters — are carving out space to explore love on their own terms,” he added. “Rather than adhering to traditional labels or rigid expectations, they’re choosing authenticity, fluidity, and self-defined connection.”