Man demanded $1300 not to reveal gay dating app

A Melbourne man has been charged with blackmail after he allegedly demanded $1300 from a man he met on a gay dating app in return for not revealing his sexuality. 

Timothy Ruge, 34, represented himself in Melbourne Magistrates Court today when he appeared for the first time after being charged.

Ruge is accused of using the dating app, Grindr, to threaten to disclose the activities of another man to a third person before demanding money, police earlier said.

Court documents allege Ruge demanded $1300 from his victim at Docklands in March.

The man's identity was not revealed by the court.

After his hearing, Ruge said the matter involved "unfortunate circumstances".

He is due back in court on July 23 with a lawyer.

With AAP.