Gay Social App Launches Obama Pride

Turns out that not only can you peruse which guys are into what on Hornet, a gay social app, but you can also find out about their other persuasions – politically speaking. The app recently launched ObamaPride, a tool to share campaign information, facts about LGBT issues and spread the word about elections among users of the app. Guys can even indicate their support for the prez by adding an Obama Badge to their profile pictures.

“Hornet is proving that the LGBT space is broad, and that building an application focused on health and security is how you win record user support,” says Christof Wittig, Hornet co-founder, “which is why we hit 200,000 users yesterday.”

In a space dominated by apps like Grindr and Scruff, Hornet is definitely setting itself apart with the new feature, which uses the same geo-targeting technology for finding Mr. Right (or at least Mr. Tonight) that it does sending calls to actions in swing states just in time for the November election. This season, there are four states that are considering marriage equality on ballots, including nearby Maryland, as well as Washington, Minnesota and Maine.

Courtesy of Hornet

Hornet is also already deploying targeted messages that represent candidates in local races and who support The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

Sean Howell, chair of the Hornet Foundation, has also been working with grassroots campaigners to help gay voters unite by educating about make-or-break marriage initiatives and making sure gay voters show up on election day. In Washington State, the final days of the last marriage equality campaign were ruled by opponents using fear tactics, admits Howell. Despite an eight-point lead, it lost by two points. “We are going to help ensure our users get out the vote, using some of the sharpest technology out there,” he adds.

Fact is, LGBT people now account for nearly one in five “bundlers” who have raised at least $500,000 for the Obama campaign, according to The Advocate. And now that the Democratic Platform has officially endorsed same-sex marriage for the first time this year, states were encouraged to invite LGBT delegates to the DNC. According to CBS, there were a total of 486 LGBT delegates hailing from all 50 states.