Gay Men’s Construction and Management of Identity on Grindr

This study explores gay men’s construction and management of identity on Grindr. A sample of gay men was interviewed and the data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The following themes are outlined: (1) constructing and re-constructing identities on Grindr; (2) bolstering sexual self-efficacy; (3) managing online and offline identities. Despite the apparent social psychological benefits of geospatial gay social networking applications, the pressures of coercive norms on the application as well as perceived “addiction” to it can result in threats to identity, thereby challenging social and psychological wellbeing.