Taimi Singles Day Report: How Queer Singles Are Redefining Being “Single” in 2026
In 2026, being single isn’t a phase, it’s a choice. Queer singles are rejecting the idea that singlehood is something to fix or explain, and instead claiming it as a valid, fulfilling way of life. Taimi’s new Singles Day Report highlights this shift, revealing that being single is no longer a placeholder for partnership. It’s an intentional lifestyle rooted in self-knowledge, emotional wellbeing, and personal freedom.
Based on insights from over 2,000 LGBTQ+ users across the United States, the research shows that modern queer singlehood is defined less by loneliness and more by boundaries, clarity, and self-respect.
Single, Selective & Slaying
Being single doesn’t mean being closed off and it doesn’t mean opting out of love. For LGBTQ+ daters it can mean being intentional on who you date, being open to love on their own terms, and not chasing connections that don’t serve them.
While over half of users are single and open to dating, only 23% are single and actively dating and just 10% are in committed relationships or marriages. The difference points to a growing number of queer daters who are bringing a new approach to connection – they’re staying open whilst not making dating the main character. Singlehood isn’t passive anymore. It’s selective.
Connection Still Counts
Being single doesn’t mean refraining from possible connections. For LGBTQ+ singles, connection still matters, it’s just that autonomy does too. There is still a prioritisation of emotional and physical intimacy. Relationships aren’t being abandoned they’re being approached with intention.
Many LGBTQ+ daters are still open to finding connections. 54% are dating to find a long-term partner, 51% companionship and 47% Physical intimacy.
What’s changed isn’t the desire for connection, it’s the shift towards personal choice. Choosing: who, when and where, gets your energy. Instead of rushing into relationships, singles are actively deciding if connections serve them. Daters are redefining the pace and purpose of connections.
The Compatibility Gap
Being single in 2026 isn’t avoidant… it’s a vibe. Queer singles are done settling. Choosing singlehood isn’t someone closing the door on romance, it’s someone closing the door on the pressure to date just for the sake of dating.
Most users are choosing not to settle with 62% reporting they haven’t met anyone compatible and 31% cite emotional burnout.
The message is clear, singles today are choosing quality, boundaries, and intentions rather than rushing to fill the partner-shaped hole in their lives. Daters are thinking more and opening up to what matters to them. Ultimately, it’s a form of self-care and one that is redefining the rules of dating.
Balancing Independence and Loneliness
Being single isn’t one-size-fits-all. For queer daters it can be a nuanced mix of emotions. A balancing act of somewhere in the middle of freeing and lonely. The numbers reveal a realistic take on how singlehood is experienced, beyond stereotypes and stigma.
Taimi then asked how it compared being single to previous years.
For many LGBTQ+ daters stepping back from the rigid rules of rushing relationships has both a positive and negative impact on how they perceive their singlehood today.
The tea is the research shows that singlehood is neither idealized nor stigmatized. Simply put, it’s part of life. Queer singles are showing up, proving that being single is sometimes navigating your relationship status with honesty, and balance. Daters are defining fulfilment on their own terms and embracing the ups and downs that comes with it.
The Perception Shift
Relationship standards are shifting, and compromising yourself over short-lived connections that aren’t serving you isn’t making the cut. LGBTQ+ singles are turning their backs on external expectations, prioritising authenticity and emotional alignment.
Taimi asked its 2000 respondents how they would describe their current dating situation, the response is worthy of finger snaps and a few ‘yass queens’:
- 24% are single by choice
- 32% want a relationship but won’t settle
- 22% are exploring alternate relationship styles
The numbers point to a cultural shift away from relationship models that are intertwined with societal pressure and expectations. LGBTQ+ singles are carving out their own self-defined paths choosing intention and flexibility over settling for what’s expected.
The Benefits, yay or nay?
Singlehood can come with some very real benefits for queer singles. When LGBTQ+ daters are experiencing singlehood intentionally, it can create space for growth, personal reflection, emotional clarity and self-care. The data shows that singles can be gaining during this phase of life.
However, singlehood isn’t a universal win. While 32% report emotional peace, 34% report freedom and 37% report time for personal growth – 21% cite no benefits. This is a reminder that being single can be both empowering whilst not being idealized across the board. For many LGBTQ+ singles being intentional and using it as a time for personal growth is one option. The option is valued, not mandatory. Alongside this option are preferences and choices for queer singles that are still valid.
Under Pressure – a Gay Anthem or a Reality?
Contrary to unfounded stereotypes, queer singles aren’t being pushed into dating by mysterious outside forces. The pressure to couple up is less about societal expectations and more about personal choice and autonomy. The motivation when dating – is shifting inward.
Over 55% stated they feel no pressure to be in a relationship. It suggests a shift away from socially imposed timelines toward self-directed desire. For singles the choice to date or not to date is increasingly internal. For most singles it is rooted in personal readiness rather than external societal pressure.
Is Everything Really Romantic?
Regardless of gay icon, Charli XCX’s song ‘everything is romantic’, it turns out romance isn’t taking the priority in many singles’ lives. Romance no longer rules the timeline. For many queer singles, dating has lost its prized place and has moved into a more optional, low-pressure role. The narrative reflects a growing comfort, slowing down or stepping back entirely.
With only 20% reporting that dating is ‘very important’ in their life right now and 37% stating they only go on dates ‘rarely’, romantic urgency is losing its grip. It is no longer the default factor to happiness or fulfilment. Queer singles are redefining the measures of contentment with where dating is a choice, not the main goal.
Emotional Maturity is the Hottest Take
The focus has shifted. When queer singles choose to date it’s less about sparks and more about substance. A desire for stability trumps surface-level-attraction. Priorities today reflect emotional maturity and self-awareness. What actually matters when connection is intentional?
- Consistency & reliability is at 30% and Sexual compatibility is at 29% are the top priorities for those looking to match.
- 25% prioritize the feeling of being “truly chosen” by a partner.
And it’s not just the traits of potential partners that queer singles are changing.
Queer daters themselves are reporting a shift in their standards when it comes to dating. 34% say they’re higher and 31% report they’re more realistic. It shows the shift is occurring internally and externally.
LGBTQ+ singles are no longer compromising their mental health to date:
61% have actively chosen to stay single because dating felt emotionally draining. Reflecting a culture centred around emotional sustainability.
These preferences and standards point to a move towards emotional safety, sustainability and mutual commitment. Queer singles aren’t just chasing chemistry; they’re chasing emotional connection. Compatibility, reliability and feeling ‘chosen’ are the priorities. LGBTQ+ singles are reshaping dating into something that is grounded and intentional.
So, What Do Singles Do When Dating Feels Dull?
Dating burnout leads to recalibration. When queer singles feel discouraged, they focus on self-reflection and emotional self-regulation. People are responding with intention rather than with urgency.
When dating becomes difficult, singles are turning inwards. However it isn’t just internal work singles are focusing on to give them a boost, many report support systems as being a blessing amongst the darker days.
Together, these behaviours and coping mechanisms point towards a shift away from seeking constant romantic validation. Queer singles are relying on their community, autonomy and values. Proving that support and stability aren’t reliant on a romantic partner.
The 2026 Mindset
A new era is emerging in 2026 for LGBTQ+ singles. The category is openness with self-respect. Rather than chasing connection or closing themselves off entirely, many are choosing a middle ground that feels grounded and sustainable.
The most common answer is clear: ‘I’m open to love but not chasing it’.
This new mindset isn’t about wanting or chasing. It’s about trusting that connection will happen without losing yourself in the process. The tone of modern queer singlehood is confidence, hopeful, and an openness to what serves you.
The Era of Intentional Singlehood
Taimi’s Singles Day Research points to the start of an era, where LGBTQ+ singles are putting themselves – first. It is a moment, movement and mindset that is empowering. Singlehood is being treated, finally, as a valid and respected life stage in its own right. Being single allows queer daters to focus on personal growth, emotional clarity, and building foundations for healthier and happier future connections. LGBTQ+ daters aren’t moving away from love, the truth is they are moving towards it, with intention, clarity and boundaries. The dating culture has become one where fulfilment isn’t measured by your proximity to partnership but by alignment and self-worth.
