Surge is an GBTQ+ inclusive community that celebrates authenticity and diversity. Team Surge is powered by diversity and love and we’re doing everything in our power to build and maintain a kind, inclusive, safe and fun environment for everyone. We’re not just passionate about our app, but also everything that serves LGBTQ+ community and builds a better world for all of us.
We encourage you to have fun by being your kind, authentic self. And if you ever come across a profile that goes against our values or you ever feel unsafe, you can always reach us.
We're 18 plus, so no minors are allowed. Please note that Google Play and App Store have their own age rankings which differ from ours.
Please respect our content rules to avoid being banned.
✅ At least one face photo is mandatory in your public photos.
Your public photos and profile information should be free of:
💡 If you notice anyone violating these rules, make sure to report it to us.
For yours and the safety of others, please refrain from the following activities:
💡 Please read our safety tips and be diligent at all times. If you notice one of these activities or suspect anything similar, make sure to report it to us immediately.
To make this space safe for everyone, we will not tolerate:
💡 If you notice anyone violating these rules, make sure to report it to us.
This is a safe place for LBTQ+ people only. Hence, this is no place for unicorn hunting or similar activities. Cis men or profiles of hetero couples owned and represented by cis men are not welcome here. We have a strict verification process to avoid cases like this, but if you notice any suspicious behavior, make sure to report it to us immediately. Are you a LBTQ+ couple searching for a third? Clearly state it in your profile to avoid getting banned.
Here are your resources on how to report a fake, harassing or profile that doesn’t fit our community standards:
Encountered a profile violating our guidelines?
Is somebody looking suspicious? Don't hesitate to report them to us immediately.
There are multiple ways you can report a profile:
👉 From the Swiping Screen
Tap on the "i" icon to open the detail of the profile > Select Menu (the three dots) in the upper right corner > Pick "Report and Block". You can either pick one of the provided reasons for the report, or write one yourself.
👉 From Chat
Go to the conversation tab with the user > Select Menu (the three dots) in the upper right corner > Pick "Report and Block". You can either pick one of the provided reasons for the report, or write one yourself.
👉 Via chat with our Admin
You can message us at any time. Go to the chat tab and find the conversation with our admin. Please add a screenshot of the troublesome profile to help identify the user you want to report.
👉 Via email helpdesk
You can reach us at tom@surgeapp.com
You should always be cautious when interacting with someone you don’t know well. Our moderation team does everything in their power to ensure a safe environment for everyone using the app, and despite the verification protocols we have in place, we advise certain precautions you should take while meeting people online. You can’t control the actions of others, but you can put your safety first whether you are just exchanging messages or meeting in person.
Protect Your Personal Information
Never share personal information, such as your social security number, phone number, home or work address, or details about your daily routine (e.g., that you go to certain places, etc.) with people you don’t know. If you are a parent, limit the information that you share about your children on your profile and in early communications. Avoid sharing details such as your children’s names, where they go to school, or their ages or genders.
Stay in the App
Keep conversations in the app while you’re getting to know someone. Users with bad intentions often try to move the conversation to phone, text, messaging apps, email, or any other communication channel as soon as possible.
Never Send Money or Share Sensitive Financial Information
Never send money (online or offline, via banks, cash apps or credit cards), even if the person claims to be in an emergency. Never share information that could be used to access your financial accounts. If another user asks you for money, report it to us immediately. Also, watch out for crypto or investment scams and Ponzi schemes.
Don’t Let Anyone Make You Feel Bad for Wanting to Play Safe
If a person you’re getting to know tries to harass or bully you if you want to play it safe, consider it as a huge red flag and make sure to report it to us immediately. If you don’t want to share some information about yourself, you don’t have to. Anyone not respecting your decision to stay on the safe side is violating our community guidelines.
Watch Out for Romance Scams
This is not just a thing from the movies, but, unfortunately, a real threat. For tips on avoiding romance scams, check out this link.
Be Wary of Long Distance and Overseas Relationships
Watch out for scammers who claim to be stuck somewhere far from their country and in need of financial help to return home or anything similar. Learn more here. If someone is avoiding answering your questions or pushing for a serious relationship without meeting or getting to know you first — that’s a huge red flag.
Report All Suspicious and Offensive Behavior
If we work together, we’ll make this community safer for everyone. Please block and report anyone that violates our terms. Here are some examples of violations:
Beware of Sextortion
Never share nudes with your face on them to prevent sextortion. Read more about it here.
Pay Attention to Verification Badge
Pay attention to whether the profile you’re interacting with is verified or not, and report any suspicious behavior to us. Even if the user is verified, don’t hesitate to request more proof that they’re authentic. Even if the profile is verified and something feels off, report it anyway. On another note, despite our security measures, identity theft through the creation of falsified (fake profiles) may still occur. If anything feels off, report the profile immediately, even if it’s a verified one.
Don’t Rush It
Take your time and get to know the other person before agreeing to meet or chat off the app. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to screen for any red flags or personal dealbreakers. A phone or video call can be a useful screening tool before meeting.
Meet & Stay in Public
The best time for a first date is usually while there’s daylight. Meet for the first few times in a populated, public and known place — never at your home, your date’s home, or any other private location. If your date pressures you to go to a private location, end the date. Make sure to always let someone close know where you are (and ready to pick you up just in case) and have your cell phone charged and with you at all times.
Stay Sober & Hold Your Ground
Be aware of the effects of drugs or alcohol on you specifically — they can impair your judgement and your alertness. If your date tries to pressure you to use drugs or drink more than you’re comfortable with, know your limits and end the date. Reject any activity that may endanger your physical or mental well-being.
Don’t Leave Drinks or Personal Items Unattended
Know where your drink comes from and know where it is at all times. Only accept drinks poured or served directly from the bartender or server. Many substances that are slipped into drinks to facilitate sexual assault are odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Also, keep your phone, purse, wallet, and anything containing personal information on you at all times.
If You Feel Uncomfortable, Leave
It’s more than okay to end the date early or abruptly if you’re feeling uncomfortable, or your limits are breached. Even if your instincts are telling you something is off or you feel unsafe, ask the bartender or server for help. If your safety is compromised to the point it may not be easy for you to leave, reach out to others for help - for this, make sure your phone is charged and with you at all times.
Consent & Protection
Even before it comes to sexual intercourse, remember to communicate the consent or lack of it, use protection, and be open about your boundaries. Remember to protect yourself from STDs. If you’re sexually active, get tested regularly, and ask your partner if they do so as well.
Stopping Unwanted Contacts or Harassment
When the other person won’t take “no” for an answer, breaking all means of communication is the safest approach. If things cross the line, report it to local authorities.
LGBTQ+ Travel
Be careful while traveling. Though we know the importance of being open-minded and inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations, some countries bear a higher potential risk for LGBTQ+ people.
It’s very important to check out the laws and exercise extra caution if you choose to connect with new people in these countries - as some law enforcement have been known to use dating apps as tools for potential entrapment. Some countries have also recently introduced laws that criminalize communications between individuals on same-sex dating applications or websites and even aggravate penalties if that communication leads to sexual encounters.
Resources for Help, Support, or Advice
Remember that no method of risk reduction is perfect. If you have a negative experience, please know that it is not your fault and help is available. Report any incidents and consider reaching out to one of the resources below. If you feel you are in immediate danger or need emergency assistance, call 911 (U.S. or Canada) or your local law enforcement agency.
RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | online.rainn.org | www.rainn.org
Planned Parenthood
1-800-230-7526 | www.plannedparenthood.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 | www.thehotline.org
National Human Trafficking Hotline
1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 | www.humantraffickinghotline.org
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
1-877-739-3895 | www.nsvrc.org
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) | www.cybertipline.com
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
1-844-878-2274 | www.cybercivilrights.org
VictimConnect - Crime Victim Resource Center
1-855-4VICTIM (855-484-2846) | www.victimconnect.org
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
www.ic3.gov
LGBT National Help Center
1-888-843-4564 | www.lgbtnationalhelpcenter.org
Trans Lifeline
1-877-565-8860 (US) or 1-877-330-6366 (CA) | www.translifeline.org
The Trevor Project
LGBTQ+ Hotline Available 24/7
1-866-488-7386 | https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
LGBTQ+ National Hotline
LGBTQ+ Hotline for ages 23 and under
800-246-7743 (Mondays to Fridays from 1 pm – 9 pm PST; Saturday from 9 am – 2 pm PST)
LGBTQ+ Hotline for all ages
888-843-4564 (Mondays to Fridays from 1 pm – 9 pm PST; Saturday from 9 am – 2 pm PST)
Pride Institute LGBTQ Dependency
Substance Dependency Organization
(800)-547-7433 | https://pride-institute.com/lgbtq-recovery-programs/
📧 Surge Email support contact: tom@surgeapp.com
📧 Surge Data Protection Officer contact: dpo@cosmiclatte.com
💡 Here you can read our Term of use & Privacy policy