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7 LGBTQ+ Mobile Apps For a Better Life

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From healthcare to travel to education, there’s always an app to help make your life easier, keep you entertained, or better inform you on the go. While plenty of dating apps are geared toward our community, what about the other facets of modern queer life? Here’s a list of mobile apps for the queer community.

misterb&b

Airbnb and Vrbo popularized the concept of staying like a local by helping you rent homes and apartments for your vacation. misterb&b connects you to gay-friendly rentals while donating a percentage of the profit to LGBTQ+ nonprofits.

When the company’s co-founder & CEO, Matthieu, and his partner booked a shared apartment in Barcelona, they found their host uncomfortable renting to a gay couple. The experience inspired him to start a short term rentals site focused on the gay community. misterb&b aims to connect the global gay community and offer a safer travel experience.

GeoSure

Traveling in any of the 71 countries where homosexuality is a crime may be risky, but queer people, especially trans and gender nonconforming, can be at risk in far more places. GeoSure offers neighborhood-level real-time LGBTQ+ safety ratings for more than 40,000 places worldwide. By combining local statistics and data feeds, the app offers safety ratings on a scale from 1 (Very Safe/Cool) to 100 (Very Dangerous/Hot) across seven categories: overall safety, women’s safety, physical harm, theft, health and medical, LGBTQ+ safety, and political freedoms.

Lex

Before the internet and smartphones, many queer people found romantic connections and friendships through personal ads in their local newspapers and zines. Throwing it back, Lex started is a lo-fi, text-based social app for the LBTQIA+ community to discover events and groups to hang out with online or IRL.

Kelly Rakowski, who also founded the lesbian culture Instagram @h_e_r_s_t_o_r_y, started Lex as a way for people to find each other without the frustration of dating apps. While curating historical photos for her Instagram account, she came across an online archive of personal ads from On Our Backs, a lesbian erotica magazine. Intially posting them on @h_e_r_s_t_o_r_y, her followers fell in love with these mementos from lonely hearts so she began soliciting personal ads for a new project that would become Lex.

Kalda

Developed by LGBTQIA+ therapists, Kalda offers self guided therapy programs to help you strengthen your mental health. Studies have found that the LGBTQ+ population is more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance misuse than heterosexuals. And LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely than heterosexuals to use mental health services. Co-founder Charlotte Fountaine had struggled with questions around her identity as a bisexual woman, leading to panic attacks. She found group therapy helpful and was inspired to create a supportive space for queers. 

This colorful app offers video therapy sessions, quick meditations, and daily reflection journaling. Therapy can come with an expensive price tag creating a barrier for many, so Kalda offers affordable monthly and yearly subscription options.

Rally

Rally is a social app for LGBTQIA+ sports and fitness communities. While it can often be tough to build connections within the LGBTQ+ community outside of nightlife spaces, Rally offers a platform to connect with new friends, discover local events, and join local sports teams. 

Queer athletes can often face homophobia and discrimination, founder Duncan Campbell created Rally to promote inclusion and help foster safe spaces for queer and trans athletes to practice sports.

Quist

As I’m sure most of you have gathered from being avid readers of this blog, I love music and history. I especially love learning about moments in history that are often forgotten or rarely told, which happens to be the case when it comes to minority groups. Quist is an app that aims to educate the world about the history of LGBTQ+ communities, the struggles we have overcome, and the allies that supported us. Every day Quist presents a notable event in queer history that happened that day with interactive media and links to more information.

Since 2013, the app has mostly been created through the help of volunteers with the non-profit the Quistory Project, Inc. The organization was founded by Sarah Prager, the author of Queer, There, and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World.

Our Bible

While the LGBTQ+ community is usually pushed away by most mainstream Christian religions, plenty of queer people continue to hold deeply religious beliefs. Our Bible is an app that aims to bring the progressive Christian community together. The platform offers the largest collection of devotionals, podcasts, resources, and other media content that are pro-LGBT, pro-women, and encourage interfaith inclusivity.

Writer and activist Crystal Cheatham felt devastated when she was told she couldn’t be gay and Christian. She started Our Bible to offer the LGBTQ community a space to pursue their spiritual practice without sacrificing any part of their identity.

What are your favorite mobile apps? Is there one you wish had a gay friendly equivalent? Share your favorite queer mobile apps with me!

August 22, 2024
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In Entertainment/ Life

Get a History Lesson from These Queer Podcasts

Chances are very high that your history education skipped over a lot of queer history. Probably all of it. I’ve blogged extensively about my passion for history and podcasts for which I’m not sorry. To add to the list, here’s a collection of podcasts sharing tales about LGBTQ history.

Making Gay History

I’ve mentioned my love for Eric Marcus’ Making Gay History podcast and project many times on the blog before. You haven’t subscribed yet, in each episode Eric reaches into his vault of first-person interviews for some queer retellings of history.

Bad Gays

You’re not gay if you don’t love the villains in your favorite Disney movies. That’s because most villains have been queer coded but you might be fascinated to learn that many of history’s actual villains have complicated sexual identities. Bad Gays tells the stories of evil and complicated queers. But unlike your favorite Disney villains, you might not be dressing in drag as these bad guys.

Closeted History: LGBTQ Stories of the Past

Destiny Clarke is an educator with a passion for LGBTQ+ history. The Closeted History podcast came out of sharing LGBTQ+ History Trivia on Fridays with the community. The episode embedded above is one of my favorites, chronicling authentic tales of real life cowboys. As a small town Texan, cowboy culture is innately part of my identity and something I’ve struggled with being queer and Mexican. Learning about the reality of the old west has been really comforting and affirming for me.

Lost Spaces: Memories from Gay Bars, Lesbian Clubs, and LGBTQ+ Parties

Much of queer culture has existed in bars and night clubs, some of the only queer only spaces. While not a traditional history podcast, I’ve really enjoyed listening to these first person interviews documenting lost queer spaces and their impact on the people who danced and drank there.

Gay History 101

One of the things I love about history podcasts is hearing honest reactions to the hosts’ research. I’ve only listened to a few episodes of Gay History 101, but I loved hearing John and Conor learn along with their listeners and offer hot takes. It’s fun commentary to go along with the lesson.

Queer as Fact

Queer as Fact features a panel of history buffs taking a more international look at historical events and more of a queer discussion. You can also follow their social accounts to dive deeper into their research.

History is Gay

History is Gay features fun conversations between hosts Gretchen and Leigh, self identified queer nerds. Every episode includes a segment where the two rate how gay notable people in history were, which is one of my favorite parts of this show.

One From the Vaults

While most of the other podcasts look at events and people from throughout the LGBTQ spectrum, One From the Vaults takes a look specifically at trans individuals. The host Morgan M Page does a great job uncovering little known stories from even very recent history. I loved diving into stories about Andy Warhol’s muses, Lou Reed, and Marsha P. Washington and Sylvia Rivera.

Gay of the Day

If you’re looking for some bite size history lessons, Gay of the Day is perfect. Each episode focuses on one queer person in history and tells their life story in under 20 minutes. I especially love the host Frank Howard’s dramatic storytelling style.

Got any favorite history podcasts to share? Let me know!

June 25, 2024
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In Life

Ways To Connect & Thrive With These Online LGBTQ Communities

Online LGBTQ communities

Let’s ignore the elephant in the room and say that you’re probably longing for some social interaction today, of all days. Regardless of any *cough* pandemics *cough* keeping you locked indoors and reflecting on your mental health for weeks at a time, it’s not unlikely for LGBTQs to face loneliness. It’s not like gay men are twice as likely to be depressed as straight men or 2.6 times as likely to live alone. If for some reason, you’re feeling disconnected or in need of friendship and community, don’t worry, the internet’s here for you. Here’s a list of online communities where everyone’s gay, too.

Slack icon - List of LGBTQ Slack communities to join

Slack Groups

Basically all of my career has been in tech, so I’m always on the hunt for LGBTQ networking groups. If you’re in tech, you know Slack is the tool du jour for the industry. Here are a couple of tech communities you can join on Slack.

LGBTQ in Tech

This community provides a space for LGBTQ people in technology to chat and support each other. Out of all the Slack groups I’m in, this one has the most channels definitely offering something for everyone. Aside from professional conversations, you’ll find channels devoted things like to beach goings, asmr, and Disney.

Out in Tech

This non-profit boasts over 30,000 members and 15 chapters across the country. They host networking and education events if you’re interested in learning more about a career in tech. Currently the group is hosting online events every night at 9pm ET/6pm PST. RSVP to join.

Techqueria*

This is one of my favorite communities, although it’s also not exclusively LGBTQ. This group for Latinxs in tech has been very active and inclusive in my experience. Their Slack community also has plenty of channels for almost every group and locale and does have an active LGBTQAI channel.

Chat icon - List of Online Forums for the LGBTQ community.

Online Forums

If you want to go into old school forums, these communities offer a place to discuss mental health and find support.

Trevorspace

I’ll be honest, it’s been a long time since I was a teenage queer, and while cultural attitudes have shifted, it’s still not always the easiest for young people to find their tribe. This community offers a space for young people between the ages of 13-24 to get advice and support, join groups based on their interests, and make new friends.

Empty Closets

This community offers a forum with ongoing discussions and chat rooms mostly for those in the process of coming out or working to build a solid support group of LGBTQ friends. The community originated in 2004 as a safe space for LGBTQ teens but now welcomes members of all ages.

Therapy Tribe

Research shows that LGBTQ individuals are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Whew. The LGBTribe offers peer-to-peer support groups for mental health issues and lets members participate in wellness challenges, access tools to help them on their journey, and connect with therapists.

Whether you’re suddenly seeking connection or you’ve always been social online, hopefully you’ll find yourself at home in one of these online communities. Already a member of an online community you love? Let me know! And if you see me in one of these groups, feel free to reach out!

March 20, 2020
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In Life/ Shop

8 Ways To Spend Big At Small Queer Shops

The holiday season is upon us once again. Before you hit up Amazon for your one stop shopping, consider shopping smaller and queerer. I’m a huge believer in spending my money as wisely as possible to support the causes and communities I care most about. So here’s a list of places you can shop to support queer businesses.

Erdos + Ko

If you’re thinking of shopping a little bigger, Erdos + Ko Home offers beautiful home furnishings and decor at an approachable price point. With the belief that styling your home should be fun, John Erdos and Louis Koay offer pieces that they’d actually put in their own home. Erdos + Ko designs reflect their style using organic materials mixed with modern elements. You’ll also find curated vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces.

Double Scorpio VHS Cleaner

TBH, you can’t really kick off the holidays without digging out VHS copies of your favorite holiday films to relive your childhood memories. In an HD world, you’re  gonna need some VHS cleaner to make the most of the lo-fi vibes. Their holiday blend can also double as a festive room deodorizer. If you tossed the VCR decades ago, you’ll still appreciate their line of gear with edgy tees and cheeky jock straps.

Pansy Ass Ceramics

Have you ever wondered what family heirlooms would look like in a Tom of Finland theme? For the playful provocateur, Pansy Ass Ceramics offers plenty of erotic artwork and ceramic pieces to spice up your home decor. From penis shaped flower vases to BDSM themed Christmas ornaments, you’ll find tongue-in-cheek tchotchkes for your china cabinet.

Wildfang

Founded in 2013, Wildfang was created with the belief that women have the right to wear whatever they want. Their collections feature trendy graphic tees, the Empower Suit, durable workwear, and button ups for all with a portion of proceeds going to charity. In 2018, Wildfang raised over $400k for charities that support reproductive, immigrant, and women’s/human rights.

Otherwild

Otherwild is dedicated to showcasing goods made with care by individuals. You’ll find a huge variety of apparel, housewares, and more. Their line Otherwild General offers non-disposable, lo/zero-waste and upcycled product options like reuseable straws and refillable home, body, and bath products.

MINNA

Founded by a queer woman, MINNA offers a collection of beautiful, ethically made products created in collaboration with with master artisans in Central and South America. The patterns, colors, and textures found in their products are meant to be mixed, matched, and layered for today’s modern home.

Autostraddle

The online publication and community for queer women is not only a great place to find feminist think pieces but you can also find clever tees and caps. Additionally, buying merch from Autostraddle helps support the stories they feature on their site.

HOMOCO

No doubt you’ve discovered HOMOCO on your social feeds with their colorful collection of versatile tops and power bottoms. The queer swim brand makes their trunks out of recycled plastic while their camp shirts come from sustainably harvested Tencel. A portion of sales goes to ocean conservation and organizations that champion queer rights.

What queer businesses do you love shopping at? Share them with me!

November 29, 2019
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In Life

Free Lessons in LGBTQ History From These Twitter and Instagram Accounts

Raise your hand if you’re endlessly interested in history but easily exhausted by reading. C’mon, I cannot be the only one. Luckily, there’s a crop of Instagram and Twitter accounts sharing historical photos, stories, and resources in bite size doses perfect for afternoon scroll sessions. Here are a few of my favorite Twitter and Instagram accounts to follow to learn more about LGBTQ history.

Making Gay History

I’ve talked about Eric Marcus’ podcast Making Gay History on the blog before, but you can also follow along on Instagram for even more historical moments. You’ll get bitesize clips from the interviews featured in his podcast along with extra photos and even more stories. 

The History Project

The History Project is an organization that’s working to document, preserve, and share the history of the LGBTQ community in the Boston area. Aside from history lessons in 280 characters, their Twitter account shares interesting articles and updates about their ongoing work and events. They also maintain a collection of over 1 million documents including photos, buttons, and publications that you can often get a peek at.

NYC LGBT HistoricSites Project

Exploring NYC’s famous and historic sites is one of my favorite things to do in the city. I especially appreciate it coming from a much younger city like Austin. The NYC LGBT HistoricSites Project is one of my favorite Instagram accounts to follow. It’s always fun to see old photos of the places I pass each day and learn more about important events that have happened there. You can even take your explorations further and follow along on their curated tours available on their website.

Queer as Fact

Queer as Fact is another history podcast that takes things a step further with their Twitter account. Get a deeper dive into episodes and discover the resources they use for research.

lgbt_history

Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown, the authors behind the history book We Are Everywhere, also curate this Instagram account with short history lessons and old photos.

LGBTQCollaboratory

The LGBTQ Collaboratory connects scholars, activists, and archives across Canada, the US, and the UK. Follow them on Twitter for more behind the scenes info, updates on events, and connections to other LGBTQ historians.

h_e_r_s_t_o_r_y

From pop culture to high art, @h_e_r_s_t_o_r_y is a fun account that features old photos, publications, and gay rights movement memorabilia. The account’s founder, Kelly Rakowski, is also behind the new personals style dating app, Lex that I’ve featured on the blog before.

Queer Bible

Queer Bible features original essays and artwork from inspiring LGBTQ+ people that celebrate their LGBTQ+ heroes. While the Instagram gives you short snippets and a visual overview of the work, their website provides longer form pieces and deeper dives into these stories.

I love discovering new accounts that can take me beyond #ads and thirst traps, which are your favorites to learn more online? Tweet me and let me know!

October 22, 2019
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