Life

Grindr’s new CEO faces backlash from users over his past conservative tweets

By Jordan Robledo

13th October 2022

Grindr users have called out the dating app’s new CEO for his past conservative tweets. 

Back in May, the popular LGBTQ+ dating app revealed that it would become a public company after agreeing on a $2.1 billion merger deal with Tiga Acquisition Corp (TAC).

To usher in their new business venture, Grindr announced openly gay businessman George Arison as the company’s new CEO in September.

“Grindr, with George at the helm, will succeed and grow as a public company at the same time as it deepens its support for the LGBTQ community,” said James F. Lu, who serves as the company’s board chair.

With Arison stepping into his new role on 19 October, the former Shift Technologies CEO has already found himself in hot water with LGBTQ+ users.

Over the last few days, Grindr users have taken to social media to point out Arison’s past conservative tweets. 

Back in 2020, he said he supported “some Trump policies” while also claiming to be a conservative.

“FYI, I am a conservative & agree with some Trump policies. I think at least 10% of Republican voters and 1/3 of moderate independents are the same (like some Trump policies, can’t stand having him in office). So Dems need a nominee who can tap into this electoral spectrum,” he wrote.

In February, he said Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin – who has a history of opposing LGBTQ+ rights – “should totally run for President.” 

Arison also seemed to support Florida governor Ron DeSantis after he retweeted a user who said the conservative official was suited to “advance a new, more combative and populist” political party. 

“Not ideal, but he’s largely right,” the Grindr CEO wrote in January.

DeSantis has signed numerous laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community throughout his political career, including the controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill.

In response to the string of tweets, Grindr users have slammed the company for hiring Arison and even started the hashtag #DeleteGrindr.

One user wrote: “Grindr’s new CEO thinks Glen Youngkin should run for President — the Republican Governor who wants to out LGBTQ+ students to their parents and roll back protections for trans kids. Gross.”

LGBTQ+ activist Diana Adams tweeted: “New CEO of Grindr is a conservative tool who ‘agrees with some Trump policies.’ Do you feel safe sharing personal data on that app with someone who clearly doesn’t care much about LGBTQ rights/sexual freedom? Have any doubt he wouldn’t sell your data or out you??”

While Arison has refrained from releasing his own statement about the backlash, Grindr addressed the controversy in a quote to The Advocate. 

“George is an out gay man proudly married to his husband and the father of two children,” a company spokesperson told the news outlet. 

“George is passionate about fighting for the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ people around the world.”