Denver man creates city's only LGBTQ matchmaking service
DENVER — The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way we go about our everyday tasks, from grocery shopping, to meetings, to exercising.
It has also affected dating.
“Virtual dating is here to stay,” said R. Tony Smith. Smith is the founder and owner of Denver’s Cupid, the only LGBTQ matchmaking service in the city. During the pandemic, the site has also been hosting virtual speed dating.
“I strongly feel that everyone deserves love,” said Smith, who has lived in Denver for 20 years. “And I know that with my own upbringing, and a lot of people in our community, it has been challenging to simply date.”
“Every community on the planet has a matchmaker dating back a millennium,” Smith continued. “And I was like, “No one’s doing that for us here in Denver.’”
People who are LGBTQ make up about five percent of Denver’s population, according to a Gallup survey. According to that same survey, Denver has the ninth highest percentage of LGBTQ population among the country’s 50 largest cities. San Francisco is first.
Smith said he woke up one day and decided to be a matchmaker. When he began doing research, he realized no matchmaking in Denver catered specifically to the LGBT community.
“I discovered so many people who have been left out of the love equation,” he explained. “So I just wanted to create ways for people to meet even easier.”
Smith emphasized the security of his service; 100 percent of the profiles are private. He also says that virtual dates have their advantages.
“When you’re meeting people live with video, you can’t really hide,” Smith said. “And you’re safe in your house, you don’t have to spend money on a bunch of drinks at a bar, and your own intuition comes into play.”
Safety and compassion are important to Smith as well. “This is a safe, kind space. We’re all here to have fun. As Ellen says, ‘Just be kind to one another.’”
More information on Denver’s only LGBTQ matchmaking service is available at denverscupid.com.