Report: Turkey Bans Grindr

Gays trying to find some quick action are coming up short in Turkey, where reports indicate the hook-up app Grindr has been banned.

When trying to log in, users "receive a message from the 14th Criminal Court of Istanbul stating that it’s been blocked as a 'protective measure' as a result of a court decision on August 26," according to journalist Dan Littauer on Twitter, and picked up on NewNowNext.

Ömer Akpınar of Turkish LGBT group KAOS GL says the Grindr ban “is the last step in arbitrary limitations of freedom in Turkey. Any lifestyle or identity, which does not fit to the state’s ideology, is being deprived of their rights and freedoms.”

While Turkey is not viewed as intrinsically gay-friendly, it has moderate stances for a nation with a large Muslim population. Istanbul (pictured), at the nexus of Europe and Asia, is a much-loved destination for some adventurous LGBT travelers. The city was a finalist for the 2020 Olympics, but lost out to Tokyo.