ARCHER’s “The Naked Truth” Report Reveals Gay Men Want Love and Lust
New data shows users are nearly 6X more likely to be looking for a husband than a hookup—and 6 in 10 single gay men are open to trying new things sexually
It turns out gay men aren’t just looking for a hookup—they’re looking for hubby material, too.
Today, ARCHER, the dating app made for gay and queer men where every profile shows a face, released its first annual trends report: The Naked Truth. Based on insights from more than 550 users, the report offers a playful but powerful look at what men in our community are really searching for—and it’s not just sex. From long-term love to romantic bedroom vibes and green flags that go beyond the physical, ARCHER’s users are flipping the script on what gay dating means.
Forget the tired stereotype of blank profiles and random meetups. Gay men deserve more, and they’re looking for it. According to The Naked Truth:
- Daters are 5.8X more interested in finding a husband than a hookup
- They’re 3X more likely to say they’re looking for a love story than random sex
- 57% of gay singles are open to trying new things sexually, while 20% have their favorite kinks
- And when it comes to green flags good communication and emotional intelligence blow passionate sex out of the water
“Dating within the gay community is all about choice, fluidity, and the freedom to define what connection means in the moment,” said Michael Kaye, Head of Brand at ARCHER. “The Naked Truth shows us that our users value authenticity and intention. They’re not just seeking endless matches—they’re choosing their own journey on their own terms.”
That’s exactly why ARCHER is evolving the experience to meet users where they are—emotionally and intentionally—with features designed to reflect those choices in real time.
ARCHER’s new Looking For Modes feature puts user intent front and center, letting daters choose between Hookup, Date, or Friends Mode every time they open the app. This shift personalizes the entire experience—reducing mismatches, aligning expectations, and improving the relevance of profiles and conversations. To add even more clarity, users can layer in real-time context with temporary status updates like “Looking for now,” “Open to chat,” or “Down to meet.” The result? Clearer signals, better conversations, and a more intentional way to connect—whether you’re here for something casual, meaningful, or platonic.
And while Date Mode is heating up, that doesn’t mean ARCHER men aren’t bringing the spice. From favorite sex playlists (“Chill, vibey, and slow” came out on top) to go-to bedroom vibes (“Romantic and sensual” won big), the report doesn’t shy away from what makes dating in our community so colorful and uniquely queer. But underneath it all, one thing is clear: today’s gay daters are turning the volume up on vulnerability—and getting serious about their search for connection.
ARCHER also got geographic with it, breaking down user sexual position preferences by city—and let’s just say no matter the role you play in the bedroom, there’s a city (dozens, actually!) for you. Salt Lake City, Tampa, and Denver topped the list for the highest percentage of tops, while cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Minneapolis reigned supreme in the bottom department. Meanwhile, Columbus also leads the way for vers users, proving that queer dynamics can defy expectations—and regional stereotypes.
With more than 30 million messages sent, ARCHER is quickly becoming the go-to space for men who want to shoot their shot—and actually find something meaningful. And if your biggest green flag is good communication or emotional intelligence, you’re not alone.
