Claudio Lo Sciuto

  Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences | Bachelor Digital Society

“XL” Tapped You: A Qualitative Study on the Role of Grindr in the Sexual Intimacy of its Users

Claudio's elevator pitch
My bachelor’s thesis investigates how Grindr, the most popular dating application among the LGBTQIA+ community, shapes the sexual intimacy of its users. Using Goffman’s dramaturgical theory, I conceptualize Grindr as a stage where users, like actors, perform and adapt to its hyper-sexualized norms. Interviews with cisgender gay men reveal how Grindr fosters sexual objectification, influences self-presentation, and often complicates offline connections. Its mechanics amplify compulsive behaviours and reinforce societal expectations around body image and sexual desirability, limiting the pursuit of genuine emotional intimacy. This research highlights how digital platforms mediate intimacy in LGBTQIA+ spaces and calls for fostering less hostile online environments.