Gender-Inclusive Queer Social Media App Q Launches Thursday

The world's first gender-inclusive queer social network, known simply as "Q," has arrived on the iPhone App Store Thursday. The launch comes after a successful $25,000 Kickstarter campaign earlier this year.

The app's CEO, Eric Cervini, decided to create Q last year while a Harvard undergraduate.

Q, Cervini says, is a response to the exclusion of many who identify as LGBT+ on today's hypersexualized queer apps.

"Racist, misogynistic, and dehumanizing comments are endemic on these platforms," Cervini said. "Not a single inclusive, queer, platonic app exists for our community."

Users on Q can choose from 100+ genders, sexual orientations, gender pronouns, and interests.

"We are more than a swipe of the finger," Q argues, and its goal is to create meaningful human connections - rather than fleeting hookups - among its queer users.

Q's members can connect, filter, and chat with those around them. The app also promotes interactions on an equal playing field by requiring members to display their faces and first names.

Cervini, a programmer since childhood, is now writing a PhD dissertation on LGBT+ history, and he developed the app over the past year. He did so with the help of Q's Kickstarter funds, which raised thousands of dollars this past June.

"The Kickstarter demonstrated how much demand there is for an inclusive, human, queer online community," Cervini said. "Our supporters gave us fantastic ideas and feedback as we perfected the app, and we look forward to adopting the suggestions and critiques of our new users."

Q is now available in New York City, and users in other cities can request access in their area by downloading the app. Q will launch in other cities across the world according to demand.

iPhone users can download Q - and Android users can join the waiting list - at https://www.qisforall.com.