I think we can all agree that PDA is something most people have a strong opinion on: some hate it, some love it. For certain people, not being affectionate in public can be a dealbreaker, while for others, it can be the opposite. Not only can feelings about PDA differ between people, but also between couples — because, as a queer person, PDA is more than just a romantic gesture; it’s a form of self-expression and pride.
It’s not just me, though. According to Hinge’s 2026 LGBTQIA+ D.A.T.E. report, 31% of queer people in the dating scene say uncertainty is increasing their need for reassurance, and 65% of them say PDA in an early relationship helps them feel secure. For many LGBTQIA+ daters, affection comes with layers: safety, vulnerability, pride, and past experiences. Because when it comes to dating, queer people have vastly different experiences than straight people — not better or worse, just… different.
While both straight and queer people take into account things such as compatibility and chemistry, there’s so much more that queer people have to consider, such as whether they are out or not, if their families and friends will accept them, or if it’s even safe to be queer in their city, state, community, or their own home. In an uncertain world, queer daters say that now more than ever, it’s the little things that matter.
Having to hide a relationship can be distressing for anyone, but it can hit harder for queer people.
For some queer people in the dating scene, past experiences can be why PDA — the simple act of hand-holidng in public, or a spontaneous and sweet forehead kiss on the sidewalk — is so important to them. It’s not uncommon for people in queer relationships to have experienced having to hide their relationship before for a variety of reasons. Having to hide a relationship can be distressing for anyone, but it can hit harder for queer people. Feeling like you have to hide your relationship, and how you express affection, can make some queer people feel like their queerness is something to be ashamed of and should only be expressed in private settings.
Because of this, PDA can be very meaningful. It can help someone feel safer and more secure in their relationship. Not only does being affectionate in public with one’s partner make it clear that someone is proud to be in queer relationship; it also goes to show that the person is proud and comfortable with their queer identity. This, in turn, can make someone feel more comfortable in a queer relationship.
PDA makes it clear that it’s more than OK to be queer and that love between queer people is beautiful. It also communicates to someone that it’s okay to express themselves and be who they truly are. In addition to this, if someone is struggling with their identity, seeing their partner be proud of who they are may also help them become more comfortable with themselves.
Loving loudly in a time where queer rights are becoming more scrutinized and homophobia and transphobia seem to be rising can send a clear and strong message: that nothing can ever scare the queer community out of loving someone.
And for some queer people, PDA and loving each other out loud is an act of resistance in today’s political landscape. Now more than ever, queer people in the dating scene are reporting that they feel like the world is uncertain. Hinge’s report also found that queer daters are more likely to be concerned about their right to marry, healthcare options, public safety, and the political landscape when compared to straight people in the dating scene.
Loving loudly, in a time where queer rights are becoming more scrutinized and homophobia and transphobia seem to be rising, can send a clear and strong message: that nothing can ever scare the queer community out of loving someone, and that their queerness will never be something that they feel ashamed of.
As a queer person, PDA isn’t just a sweet gesture; it’s more than that. It’s a way of saying that I’m proud to be who I am, that I’m not ashamed or afraid of the way I love. It’s showing my girlfriend that I think our love is a beautiful thing and that they deserve to be loved loudly, even if some people may disagree. And, at the end of the day, expressing that love is something I refuse to be ashamed of.