PLAYLOVE: A NEW, LOCAL, SEX-POSITIVE DATING APP

by Amanda E.K. feel like participating. “Even if you feel There’s a new dating app on the scene called Playlove, and it started in Colorado. like you don’t have a loud voice, we still want you there,” she says. For the time being, Playlove Playlove isn’t like other is free to download. Their social apps—it’s designed current goal with the app specifically and solely for isn’t about making money, the sex-positive community. but to learn what people What began 17 years ago really want and to provide that. They built the app to as a sex-positive events be a classy community, and company called Menage Life they hope that it can become has now sprouted tentacles the world’s leading, sex-into the virtual landscape positive platform and leading to offer a space for safe and resource on sex-positive exploratory connections for people looking to express their sexuality without being put in internet jail for things like sharing fetish photos or BDSM requests. Playlove Co-founders Sante Suffoletta and Dan “Trip” Roberts have been involved in the sex-positive community for the past two decades and saw the need for a platform information. In order to achieve this goal, they provide regular polls and surveys for their app users to suggest improvements and voice what they want to get out of the app. As a new application, they see plenty of room for growth and improvement. Geis encourages not only offering your sexual feedback, but also PLAYLOVE: A New, Local, Sex-Positive Dating App where people could be as open with their sexuality as they sharing your personality. As of now, the app is only available to wanted without any judgment or shame. Whereas platforms Colorado residents while the team works to constantly improve like Zoom will shut you down if they detect nudity, Playlove upon the structure that they’ve built. Users are able to customize is a hybrid app that allows you to join groups and share what they can see in their feed and what they want to filter out so your naughtiest photos. With the rise in popularity of social that people can make the connections they really want to make.media in the past decade, people have adapted to more public expressions of sexuality, but even dating apps like Tinder “At the end of the day, it's all about connections and friendships— will block your account if they deem any content too sexual. that's what any sex positive community is about and what Suffoletta and Roberts say they put a lot of thought into naming that in a virtual environment, that's what we're going to do.” and designing Playlove. “There are a lot of people who are sexpositive who are looking for relationships but frustrated that Playlove is intended to be accessible for anyone who’s had a they can't find the types of connections that they want. We want difficult time finding the partnerships and connections they want. people to know that they can find both on our app,” Suffoletta says. “If you hang out in the in-between of the sexuality spectrum, Playlove is an app for the overlap of sex-positive communities it. And I think that's where any community that doesn't have an to socialize completely unrestricted. Queer, polyamorous, app servicing them will probably find more connections through swinger, kink, fetish, and BDSM players alike are welcome Playlove. That's our hope anyway,” Suffoletta says. on Playlove. It’s a place for the queer community and straight allies to support each other and coexist. Playlove is a model for the lifestyle of adaptation we’ve all had For folks looking to recreate the same types of connections community has always been important to us,” Geis says. “So they would if they were going out every weekend, Suffoletta’s really, it's our time to shine as a community and to show people company, Menage Life, is currently hosting regular virtual events that the quality of life that you really like to hold onto is still using a video platform that allows you to be as risque as you there, and we're here to give you that platform to adapt and want. On this platform, there are multiple “rooms” that you can to continue to live your life the way you want to.” enter, such as a dungeon room, a DJ room, and an exhibition room. With more people staying home, these advanced, online “There are people who are suppressed in their sexuality all connections provide a reprieve from the isolation. over the planet and don't know what to do,” Suffoletta adds. Angie “Puddles” Gies—the user experience assurance manager to make a difference for them.” of Playlove—is grateful to have the platform as a place to log people are looking for,” Suffoletta says. "So, if we can provide there's not really a lot for you, or you have to go digging to find to adopt this year. “Having an adaptive app, and an adaptive “There's a whole world of people who need this. And we want on and show off her dominatrix outfits that she jokes her dog Try out the app for yourself, and let the team know what you must be tired of seeing by now. She appreciates the feedback think. and knowing that others are out there looking to connect in For more information about their virtual events, check out similar ways. She encourages users to join even if they don’t menagelife.com.