New Delhi, June 18, 2026: As young queer Indians continue to embrace more open and authentic forms of self-expression and community, Tinder is back with Tinder Queer Made Weekend 2026 in partnership with Gaysi Family. The festival returns for its fifth year in India. This year’s two-city festival kicked off with a successful edition at DLF Promenade, Delhi on June 13 and is now set to head to Jio World Drive, Mumbai on June 27, bringing together queer-owned brands, musicians, artists, and conversations that celebrate Pride in all its joy and authenticity while spotlighting the diversity of queer experiences.
This year’s lineup featured Rani Ko-HE-Nur aka Sushant Divgikar – an internationally acclaimed performer, recording artist, and human rights activist, alongside Goa-based queer DJ and curator Mo’Homo, transman singer and performer Nique Singh, multi-instrumentalist and composer Maneswita Jaiswal, singer-songwriter Aadya Jaswal, and Dohnraj + The Peculiars, whose live sets blend post-punk influences with theatrical storytelling.
Beyond the stage, attendees will also get to explore a vibrant marketplace of brands across categories including fashion, art, beauty, accessories, home décor, wellness, and lifestyle. More than just a marketplace, Tinder Queer Made Weekend spotlights the creators and small businesses shaping India’s next wave of youth culture through distinctly queer perspectives, including accessibility-focused art by Artistic License, desi flash tattoos by Fifi Poke, gender-neutral occasionwear by Kaleshkari, whimsical candles and home accessories from shop.bistirna, and handcrafted gemstone jewellery by Suramyah.
“Across Asia, we’re seeing a new generation embrace identity and connection in more expansive and authentic ways. At Tinder, we see this shift every day, especially among LGBTQIA+ communities who are shaping culture in powerful and creative ways. Tinder India’s Queer Made Weekend is a celebration of that energy as it brings together creativity, community, and connection in ways that feel deeply relevant to young people today. Through this partnership, Tinder is proud to continue supporting spaces that foster belonging, spark self-expression, and celebrate the diversity of experiences shaping culture today,” said Daniel Kim, SVP, Tinder Asia, Match Group.
“We’re proud to bring back Tinder Queer Made Weekend for its fifth year, as part of our continued commitment to India’s LGBTQIA+ community,” said Anukool Kumar, Sr. Director, Regional Head - India & Middle East, Tinder, Match Group. “At Tinder, authenticity and inclusivity are values we actively invest in, both on the app and through experiences in the real world. Tinder Queer Made Weekend is dedicated to celebrating and amplifying India’s incredible queer talent, creativity, and entrepreneurship. We’re excited to once again create a platform where their voices and stories can shine.”
"At a time when queer people are constantly creating culture, building businesses, making art, and shaping conversations, it's important to have spaces that celebrate that creativity openly and unapologetically. Tinder Queer Made Weekend brings together some of the most exciting queer talent, entrepreneurs, and performers from across the country, while creating a space where the community can gather, connect, and celebrate Pride together. We're excited to continue this journey with Tinder for the fifth edition of the festival." said Sakshi Juneja, founder of Gaysi Family
Across Tinder, young people continue to embrace more fluid and authentic expressions of identity, connection, and dating. With over 50 gender identities and nine sexual orientations available on the app, Tinder reflects the evolving ways young people are choosing to express themselves. According to Tinder data, 76%1 of young people in India say their generation is more open to gender and sexual fluidity, while 54%2 of LGBTQIA+ 18–25-year-olds in certain English speaking markets say they’ve come out on a dating app before doing so in real life. For many queer young adults, Tinder has also become a space for self-discovery, community-building, and finding belonging beyond traditional social circles.
So, this Pride Month, Tinder invites everyone to show up, celebrate queer creativity, and support the incredible talent and businesses shaping India’s LGBTQIA+ community.
1 Modern Dating Report - A OnePoll Survey among 1000 Tinder users aged 18-25 in IN who are single and use dating apps. Data was collected between 15/7/2024 - 23/7/2024
2A survey of 4000 18-25 year olds in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia between April 21, 2023 and April 25, 2023 conducted by Opinium on behalf of Tinder
About Tinder
Launched in 2012, Tinder® revolutionized how people meet, growing from 1 match to one billion matches in just two years. This rapid growth demonstrates its ability to fulfill a fundamental human need: real connection. Today, the app has been downloaded over 630 million times, leading to over 100 billion matches, serving 185+ countries and 60+ languages - a scale unmatched by any other app in the category.
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