In today’s modern world where you can pick up a date in minutes via a dating app, or quickly search Google for the best gay bar in town, it’s important to remember that homosexuality in the UK was only decriminalized in 1967, and it was only as late as the 1990s that the WHO declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. Around the world people are still facing adversity and violence for who they are, and who they love, but happily, technology is here to support everyone in living their best and most authentic lives.

Technology has played an essential role in helping LGBTQI+ people to develop communities, making it easier to find allies, particularly in small or more rural areas. Although 80% of the LGBTQI+ community credits dating apps with enhancing the gay experience, this isn’t all about finding love. This can be as simple as finding someone to talk to, who is going through the same experiences, or facing the same hardships. Teenagers over the age of 13 are welcomed to join EmptyClosets, which is a monitored online safe space, offering a forum and chat room, as well as trusted information on sexual health and coming out. The feeling of growing up alone and ‘different’, is not one any child should have to face.

In areas where coming out as a member of the LGBTQI+ community is dangerous (or even illegal), technology providers are stepping up to ensure their users are being kept safe. Tinder recently released a new functionality that stops the profile of someone identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or transgender, from showing when the user arrives in a nation where same-sex relationships are a criminal act. GeoSure is an app designed to enhance travel safety, covering more than 65,000 cities across the globe. It provides a local safety rating category, helping members of the LGBTQI+ community understand the “likelihood of harm of discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons or groups and level of caution required at location.” Likewise, Misterbnb is a travel app designed to connect LGBTQ+ travelers and hosts, reducing the risk of having to deal with homophobia and abuse whilst abroad.

Beyond the apps, technology is a particularly valuable tool in keeping everyone safe. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can protect the identity of people navigating to digital queer spaces, particularly necessary in areas such as China and Pakistan where an online LGBTQI+ presence could result in a visit from the authorities. Even cryptocurrencies have been developed specifically for LGBTQI+ individuals in places where they face the threat of economic persecution, allowing marginalised people to access decentralised wealth.

Aside from physical, digital, and financial security, technology has allowed great strides to be made towards a more equitable future. It is becoming more and more common to see someone’s preferred pronouns displayed in their Linkedin or Instagram profile. Emojis (which might seem unimportant to some) make up a vast proportion of our daily digital language. Providing visual representations such as same sex and gender-neutral emojis, allow people more options to fully express themselves. The original creators of Polari, the secret language historically spoken by gay men and their allies, would be proud to see the rainbow flags flying openly throughout the millions of Whatsapp, Signal, Messenger and Snapchat messages sent across the globe each day.

Visual representation in media has also exploded into the mainstream. From Netflix releases such as the hugely popular ‘Sex Education’, to ‘Savage Lovecast’, the weekly podcast created by LGBTQI+ rights proponent Dan Savage, compelling content has proved a big winner. Far from being consumed secretly, gay media is here to stay.

Technology has certainly helped to improve the lives of LGBTQI+ individuals and their families, but it’s poignant to see that there is far more technology dedicated to their safety and security, than a hetero or cis person might choose to use. Technology is a valuable way to support those who need it most, but we must always keep striving to ensure that everyone is equally welcome, safe and supported, both online and in the real world.