Grindr, the prominent gay dating and hookup app, expanded its presence in Washington, D.C., by hosting a high-profile event for political insiders during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) weekend.
According to a report from The Verge, the company held the party at LXIV DC on April 24, 2026. The event took place the night before the annual WHCD dinner, a period traditionally known as the peak of Washington's social season.
Joe Hack, Grindr’s head of global government affairs, described the company as “a midsize tech company that happens to be gay.”
Tech lobbying in D.C.
The event marks a strategic shift for the app as it begins courting Washington insiders. The Verge noted that the timing of the party is significant, occurring during a period of heightened social activity in the capital.
The report highlighted the unusual nature of a tech company's lobbyists hosting a cocktail party on the eve of the WHCD. This move signals Grindr's intent to engage directly with the political and media circles that shape policy and public perception.
The Verge also noted that the 2026 WHCD weekend was marked by unusual circumstances, including an attempted shooter and the subsequent cancellation of the main dinner, though social events like the Grindr party continued as planned.
