Grindr, the popular LGBTQ dating and online hookup app, will host its inaugural “White House Correspondents’ Dinner Weekend Party” on April 24.

The event precedes the annual White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner on April 25. A flyer describing the gathering states: “A Friday evening bringing together leaders across government, media, and the LGBTQ community as we toast the First Amendment.”

In an interview last year, Grindr CEO George Arison described the app’s mission as “a place that is welcoming to everybody” regardless of political affiliation. He also acknowledged a notable increase in usage during the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

President Trump announced his intention to attend this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner for the first time as president, after skipping it throughout his first term. Trump previously stated that he boycotted the event due to what he called “the Press being extraordinarily bad” to him.

Joe Hack, Grindr’s head of global government affairs, explained: “Grindr represents a global community with real stakes in Washington. The issues being debated here — HIV funding, privacy and online safety, LGBTQ+ family rights — are daily life for our community.” He added that the event is the “most iconic place in the country to make connections.”

Trump had been invited annually but never attended during his first term or last year’s gathering. The White House Correspondents’ Association has designated him as this year’s honoree, a tradition dating back to 1924 when Calvin Coolidge became the first president to attend.

The correspondents’ dinner debuted in 1921. While every president since Coolidge attended except Trump — who had boycotted the event for years — he is now set to make an appearance. In his recent post, Trump stated: “Because the Press was extraordinarily bad to me” he had “boycotted the event, and never went.” He added: “However, I look forward to being with everyone this year. Hopefully, it will be something very Special.”

Trump attended the dinner before becoming president and was once mocked by then-President Barack Obama in 2011, who joked: “Say what you will about Mr. Trump, he certainly would bring some change to the White House. Let’s see what we’ve got up there.”