The Olympic Village is often rumored to be a hotbed for other types of medal-winning physical feats. However, with Russia’s discriminatory laws firmly in place this year, it may seem that gay Olympians and spectators aren’t getting quite as lucky in the sheets.
But never question the resolve of the human sex drive. Same-sex matches in Sochi are currently at an all-time high for Down, a sex-positive app for safe, anonymous hook ups.
According to Matt Slusarenko, Down’s VP of Marketing, the app is seeing a record-breaking number of same-sex matches at Sochi. Usually same-sex matches make up about 30 percent of all hook ups on Down. At Sochi, that number is up to almost half, 45 percent.
“In light of the clear institutionalized homophobia in Russia, it makes sense that LGBT people would be hesitant to associate themselves with Scruff or Grindr,” Slusarenko said, alluding to fear that gay-specific apps might lure bigoted troublemakers looking to target LGBTs in Sochi.
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“Down is completely anonymous, a user doesn’t know who else is using the app until they find a match, creating a much more discreet experience,” Slusarenko said.
Discretion seems to be the keyword for LGBT life in Russia. It’s not that gay bars don’t exist, in fact they are relatively vibrant given the dire circumstances, but they have to operate in secret. Gay sex follows a similar protocol.
Additionally, even though geo-targeting plays a role, Down never reveals exact coordinates or how many feet away someone is. Each profile is also tied to a Facebook profile, lowering the chances of being “catfished.”
So if you’re currently in Sochi and looking to cyber cruise for a chance to get down with an Olympian, check out Down.
Oscar Raymundo is the creator of Confessions of a Boy Toy.
bluequeue
“I never thought about how damning GRINDR could be for the athletes in Russia”
joeybbv
It’s about fucking time people moved on for creepy geo-hookups. They are so skeezy
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bluequeue
Feel free to quote me
HotDude4u
I’ll get DOWN with an Olympian any day!
stranded
With those Neo-Nazis catfishing people and torturing them. I’d say stay away from any kind of online hook up site or app.
sparktina
Glad to see LGBT Olympian’s aren’t missing out on the fun in the Olympic Village
GO USA!!!! 🙂
NateOcean
“…creating a much more discrete experience.”
discrete: apart or detached from others; separate; distinct. consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts; discontinuous.
discreet: judicious in one’s conduct or speech, especially with regard to respecting privacy or maintaining silence about something of a delicate nature; prudent; circumspect.
the other Greg
@NateOcean: YES! That’s one of my pet peeves.
Ironically, discreet is always misspelled by married guys looking to hook up discreetly.
Deepdow
Why do the sane have to remain anonymous while the insane have every available public venue to express their absurd violence? Religion, for all of its alleged good, never had the right to dictate who and what is normal. What is the legacy of this tyranny? Homophobia, racism, sexism, elitism and animal/environmental abuse.
Yeah, so I guess it’s great people can get ‘Down’ but what a pitiable response it is at the end of the day. I understand that some have to defend themselves from possible discrimination and hate crimes, but defense should be offense thank you very much. Nothing will change if we pretend our existence is predicated on the idea of living in the shadows.
Stache1
@joeybbv: Yeah, that’s what I took from this story too. LOL
fagburn
I come to Queerty for the made-up advertorial…