A recent study conducted by the dating app Hinge reveals that open communication is key in LGBTQ+ relationships. The study, titled “Beyond the Talking Stage,” surveyed over 14,000 LGBTQ+ individuals and offers tools for communication before, during, and after the first date. The company found that a lack of communication was the biggest dating obstacle for the LGBTQ+ community in 2022, with 57% of respondents indicating issues in this area.
Transgender daters, however, are leading the way in promoting open communication among the LGBTQ+ community. The study found that due to the likelihood of misunderstandings surrounding their identities, trans people often communicate early on to ensure that their date’s goals align with their own. Over 70% of transgender daters outline their desired relationship style before going on a first date.
Moe Ari Brown, licensed therapist and love and connection expert for Hinge, says that the findings of the report align with their experience working with transgender individuals. “Transgender people are more likely to have had many intimate personal conversations with all of the people in their lives… Because gender transitions are pretty public… this data that we’re getting from our daters on Hinge is that much like my experience and most other transgender people’s experience, because we’ve had to have so many conversations that end up making us pretty high on communication when it comes to dating,” Brown says.
The study also found that 89% of LGBTQ+ individuals felt that a successful first date was one in which a good conversation was had, and that a good discussion doubled the chances of a second date more than physical intimacy. Communication was also found to be crucial in ending relationships, with text messages being acceptable and “fizzling” being unacceptable. Ultimately, the report suggests that embracing disagreements is a crucial step toward building authentic relationships through better communication.