Dating tips for gay men; how to find a partner

Whether you’re newly out of the closet or have been out forever, finding a date is hard for everyone. Gay culture tends to iconize those with confidence above all else, but if you’re having trouble tapping into your self-esteem, finding a date can be hard. The following are some basic dating tips to help you get started.

Dating tip number one; fake it till you make it. Like I said above, confidence is everything. No matter whom you are or what you look like, everyone finds a confident man sexy. You’ve already gotten over the hardest part by accepting yourself and coming out, but a lot of people (gay and straight) have self confidence issues. If you don’t feel like you’re all that; fake it! Enter a bar like you own the place, order drinks like you deserve them, approach people with positive thoughts in mind. By exuding an air of confidence, it will soon come back around, and you will begin to feel more confident in yourself.

Some people claim to have ‘gay-dar’, the ability to pick gay men out of a crowd. But for those who don’t, approaching a man can be extra terrifying when you don’t even know if the guy swings that way. Dating tip number two says, try yourself out at places with openly gay men first. Search for gay bars and clubs in your local area and make an effort to become a regular. You don’t always have to pick up; being in the culture will help you feel more at home. If that’s not your scene, try going to gay support meetings or book clubs to meet people.

Gay men are stereotyped as people who bounce from one partner to another, and that may be the case for some people. If you want to explore your sexuality, follow the next couple of dating tips. First, don’t feel pressured into doing anything you don’t want to do. In some gay meeting spots it’s seen as a given that no one will go home alone. If that’s not your thing, then you should think about finding somewhere else to meet a date. If you do want to try new things, find a partner who understands and who will stop when you want them to and will go no further. The second tip in this section is about protection; for both your heart and your body. Falling in love with the first person with whom you have sex can end in heart break and uncomfortableness. If you think sex is something that should only be shared towards people who know and love each other, make sure your partner feels the same way. For bodily protection, make sure both of you are wearing prophylactics, and are clean wherever you will be touching. If you don’t know the other person’s sexual history, don’t be afraid to ask. If they are elusive, they might be hiding something.

The most important thing about dating is to remember to have fun. If you’re not enjoying yourself, it’s not worth it.