Dating

I can't relate, but I can imagine dating in the gay world is very different than dating in the straight world. Well, maybe not the actual dating itself, but rather the process of finding a partner. Gay people don't feel comfortable flirting at a bar when they can't tell if the person they are flirting with is straight or not. So, then, you have sites for gay dating, where people can be sure that the person they are speaking with is gay as well.

Two of my best friends are gay, one male and one female, and both of them have found different ways to meet potential partners. My one friend has found that she enjoys going to gay bars, where she can meet people in person and enjoy being in a place that is open and accepting of who she is. The other had a harder time admitting his sexuality, and even though he is completely out now, he prefers the world of online dating, where he can put himself out there in a way that is personal, but still a little bit separated. He says that there's a certain thrill that goes along with meeting someone for the first time after you've been flirting with them for a while. He admits that although the online dating world is dangerous and even a little "sketchy" (his words, not mine), the option of keeping his dating life that much more private is attractive to him.

Gay dating sites like gaydating.com, free-gaydating.com, and ohmojo.com provide safer ways to engage in online gay dating as opposed to prior ways, such as AOL chatrooms on instant messenger. It's a great use of the internet for a group that has members who still aren't totally comfortable being out in the public sphere.