The Dating App for Queer Women That Combines Sex and Safety

The Short Version: Queer women deserve a secure place to flirt and chat with other queer women. Likk, a dating app specifically for queer women, is on a continuing mission to provide said safe space. In our conversation with the app’s founder, Jared Johnson, he emphasized Likk’s dedication to safety, inclusion, and the eradication of scammers. 

As a lifelong New Yorker, diversity is a way of life for me. When I worked in Midtown, I saw vastly different colors, creeds, and identities on my commute alone. So it’s hard for me to understand why some people are ostracized in other parts of the country, solely because of their sexual identity. It must be incredibly frustrating, not to mention lonely. 

Thank goodness for Likk, the dating app that makes online dating safer for women who love women. 

If you can’t find people who share your identity or interests as a queer woman, Likk may be the safe, inclusive answer to your problem. On this queer-centered dating app, you can connect with like-minded individuals who share your desires. 

“Likk is built from the ground up to make it easy for queer women to connect and chat without artificial barriers like swiping,” Likk’s founder, Jared Johnson, told us. And if you live in an area that isn’t always friendly to queer identities, Likk may be a safe haven. 

“We support queer women who choose to meet their needs in a space that is safe and free from harassment and judgment from others,” Jared told us. 

“Likk believes women deserve a safe space to explore their sexuality without feeling judged for doing things that are natural,” Jared said. The app emphasizes inclusivity, which is why it uses umbrella phrases like “WLW” and “queer” to describe its user base.

If you’re in the LGBTQIA+ community and you love women, then Likk welcomes you. 

Likk has just two requirements: that you identify as something other than straight, and that you identify as a woman. “Cisgender men are not allowed to use Likk as it’s only for women attracted to women,” the website reads. 

With this in mind, Likk is a platform for queer women and the WLW-curious to connect. “We have made sure that Likk is an inclusive space for all LGBTQ+ women by allowing users to specify as much about their pronouns, gender identity, and sexuality as they want,” Jared explained. 

Likk meets you wherever you are in your journey, whether you’ve been out and proud since birth or if you’re just starting to experiment. 

People explore their sexualities at all ages, but since it’s most likely for younger people to be in the experimental stages, Likk wants to be a safe space for them. “We want more women, (especially younger women), to feel comfortable meeting other women to explore their sexuality,” Jared told us. 

Likk isn’t just for romantic connections, either. It helps facilitate “queer connections, mentors, roommates, friends, dates, short-term and long-term partners, and even marriage,” Jared said. 

In this way, Likk has worked to be more than a dating app. It’s an educational resource for people who want to learn more about the WLW lifestyle. “We are working on adding more resources in the app to make it very easy for our users to find detailed information on safe sex practices and how to interact respectfully with new people,” Jared said. 

Dating apps are all fun and games until you suddenly receive a random hate-filled message.  I’m consistently amazed by the sheer determination these harassers possess. How can someone have so much time, so much energy, so much capacity for hate? 

But I don’t want to talk about the horrible people out there. I want to talk about Likk, the app that makes it possible to leave fear and hate behind. 

“Likk’s mission is to be the safest app for queer women,” Jared told us. This goal is as noble as it is ambitious. But if the oversaturated dating app industry needs anything, it is safe dating apps for the LGBTQIA+ community. 

“To achieve this goal, we’ve put in place very strict guidelines and AI systems to prevent catfishers and scammers from using Likk to target our community,” Jared told us. 

“The best protection is education,” according to Likk’s website. Likk described some of the most common scam scenarios so its users know if they’re being targeted. 

It describes the “lonely heart scam” as one in which “The scammer will win your trust by telling you a story about themselves that makes them seem reliable … they will often emphasize how honest and trustworthy they are.” 

Likk lists other common scams, from the sugar mommy scam (someone who entices you with money in exchange for your nudes) to a security app registration scam (when you’re asked to register with a third-party site that claims to be a security app). 

Since most scammers prey on your sense of decency, look out for people who claim to have been scammed, harassed, or even assaulted themselves. Likk advises its users to keep an eye out for red flags, such as someone who asks you to send them money, someone who is a little too complimentary, or someone who tries to move you onto a different app. 

Above all, Likk instructs users to email the app’s support team if they come across suspicious scam-like activity. You shouldn’t have to live in fear of scammers on a dating app, where connection is the name of the game. But since that’s the world we live in, it’s reassuring to know that Likk hasn’t only made addressing scammers a priority, but also makes it easy for its users to feel supported.

“We also do not restrict our users from blocking and reporting any account they feel is problematic,” Jared pointed out. This is why Likk gives you full control over your profile and messages. “Since Likk is not a swiping app and anyone can chat with anyone, we give them the control they need to keep their profile active but free from unwanted behavior.” 

You can send texts, images, videos, and audio to whoever you’re interested in on the app, and since it’s monitored, the chances of you receiving unwelcome content is low.

Hate has no place on a dating app, which is why Likk encourages its users to report suspicious activity. The app has worked to respond efficiently to bad behavior. “Likk has a proprietary real-time monitoring system for bad behavior that catches and bans scammers, bots, or impersonators,” Jared explained. 

As Jared put it, “We have spent significant time and energy building safety features that help make Likk the safest digital space for queer women to meet other women.” 

Still, there are certain safety tips queer women should keep in mind when using a dating app. 

“Before you meet someone, you may want to verify they are LGBTQIA+ with another trusted friend,” Likk recommends. It sounds weird, but some people really will pretend to be queer just so they can gain access to someone in the LGBTQIA+ community. Scope out your date online so you can confirm their identity. 

Here’s another tip you may not have considered: “If something goes wrong, go to a human rights or LGBTQ organization for help.” Yes, there are legal and human rights organizations that cater solely to queer folx. Even if you don’t actively need them, it’s important to know they exist. 

Of course, sexual safety is just as important. “Safe sex is sexy,” Likk claims, and I have to agree. There’s nothing hotter than safe, consensual sex, right? (Danielle Steel wishes she could write such a sexy sentence). Here’s another corset-ripper: “Get tested regularly for HIV and other STDs,” Likk suggests. 

Soon enough, Likk’s website won’t be the only place you can read high-quality safety tips. “Likk is actively working with social media influencers to help get the word out about safe practices and respectful interactions,” Jared told us. 

One way Likk is continuing the fight against scammers is by investing in cutting-edge technological features. “We have new proprietary AI driven solutions that we’re excited to roll out over the next few months,” Jared told us. 

Most importantly, Likk values the opinions of its users. After all, it’s the users who ultimately shape how an app functions. “We conduct user testing and surveys to get more personalized feedback about what we can do to keep improving our users’ experiences,” Jared explained. 

He continued, “User feedback helped us prioritize adding profile verification and better support for sending photos privately in chat.” In this way, Likk has evolved along with its users. When they sign up for the free app, queer women can rest assured that it prioritizes their safety — and their desires.