The San Fransisco Chronicle Politics blog:

The Courage Campaign, the liberal California group that focuses on gay rights, among other issues, has an unusual new partner.

Leaders of the organization today announced they are teaming up with the gay-oriented smartphone app Grindr to try to convince the Democratic National Committee to help fund efforts for same-sex marriage equality during this year’s elections.

For those who are unfamiliar, here is a Chronicle story by comrade Meredith May on Grindr. It’s basically a hookup app for gay men that uses GPS to tell a user how far away — in feet — a potential paramour is located. Some people use it for benign socializing, but it is widely known as a way to meet someone for an immediate sexual encounter.

A news release from the Courage Campaign describes Grindr as “the world’s largest all-male social network.” Grindr says that more than 3 million people have downloaded the app.

As part of the effort, Grindr will send messages to people who have downloaded the app, asking them to sign a Courage Campaign petition that will be sent to the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Adam Bink, director of online programs for the Courage Campaign, said the organization had no qualms about teaming up with the site, which calls its efforts “Grindr for Equality.”