Controversy and Criticisms
A July 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study described sites including Gaydar as contributing to clusters of sexually transmitted infections. Other critics allege that it facilitates barebacking (anal intercourse without a condom).
Media attention was drawn in 2003 when the website was used by Labour Party MP Chris Bryant, and in 2006, when married Liberal Democrat leadership candidate Mark Oaten used it to find gay sexual partners.
In February 2007, a newspaper revealed that a high-ranking officer of the Greek military had a profile on Gaydar. He was prosecuted, and an MP brought the matter in the Parliament of Greece, accusing the Minister for National Defence of allowing "inappropriate promotions" in the armed forces. The Greek LGBT community protested, but the officer claimed the profile was not his.
In 2011, Gaydar re-introduced "filtering" in chat rooms and member-to-member private messages, where lines containing competitors' brand names would appear to be sent but would not be delivered.
Read more about this topic: Gaydar (website)
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