New LGBTQ Social Network ‘Squad Social’ Prepares for Launch in 2019

Rob Curtis, the former Managing Director of Gaydar, has been promoting the upcoming launch of his new social network.

Squad Social is neither a dating nor hook-up app, but rather a platform to help people in the LGBTQ community combat loneliness.

The idea stemmed from Curtis realising that a lot of young LGBTQ people want to make friendships within the community. This is something that is often difficult to find on mainstream dating services.

He told Attitude: “Our research shows that almost three-quarters of queer people under 26 want to make new queer friends but aren’t having luck on hook-up and dating apps.

“That’s why we are creating Squad Social – to help queer people meet one another without the added pressure of sex and dating.”

Tackling mental illness is also an effort that is very close to Curtis’ heart. He spoke at this year’s GDI London Conference about the correlation between LGBTQ dating and health issues.

Speaking to Gay Star News, he explained: “Suicide is now a bigger killer of gay men than HIV is, so clearly existing platforms aren’t doing enough and we can’t afford to lose another generation of queer people.

“Evidence shows that connecting with communities of like-minded people can improve mental health and well-being.”

A study from Stonewall, one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ rights charities, found that 52% of the individuals in the community have considered taking their own life.

Squad Social is expected to be initially launched in London in early 2019. The startup is constantly raising money to try and help as many people as possible, and any support is always well received.

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