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DIGHTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Engayge only has about 300 users right now, but the Dighton-based developers of the queer-friendly social media app are hoping to eventually go global.
Created by Maryellen "Rudy" Founds (CEO) and her friend Jamie Gagnier (COO), the app has two main functions. One, it's a crowd-sourced business directory of LGBTQ+ friendly companies.
"Like a queer Yelp, essentially," Founds explained to WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe.
Engayge is also designed for members of the LGBTQ+ community to find friends. It's not a dating app, and Founds and Gagnier specifically wanted the app to be accessible for young people.
"Early on in our research, we found this statistic that one in four LGBTQ+ youth attempted suicide in the first half of 2021. As a mother, that was like, 'oh my god, we have to do something,'" Founds said. "We're not trying to be bajillionaires here, we just really want to help."
WBZ NewsRadio’s Kim Tunicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports:
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