For one of several reasons, some homosexual and bisexual men will choose to keep their gay lifestyles private. It may be simply that you haven’t come out to your family; but a big driving factor for many today is concern about what effect being ‘out’ will have on your work or profession, where coworkers, bosses or clients might react negatively to your sexual lifestyle.

We have to live in a real world; there are plenty of reasons you might want to keep your gay lifestyle under your hat — and online dating is one thing that helps you be private but still have the social life you owe yourself. When you sign up you should follow safe online behavior such as choosing a username that is not your real name; do not post your email, phone or other personal info, ever, in your profile or any messages. That’s basic for anyone, out or not. And doing so keeps you private until you’ve met someone you want to meet in person.

Gay Focused Online Dating Sites

On all dating sites for single gay men, you already know the other members you see online are into males for love and sex, so it’s as if you’d walked into your favorite bar — where there’s no guesswork about whether someone is straight or not and your approach isn’t likely to offend anybody. As a gay or bi man at your place of work, making assumptions about someone else could be unwise. If you’re not broadcasting your preferences, then others there may be maintaining the same discretion too.

If you live in a small community, that’s another factor that may keep guys from being open. You can’t ask every attractive male if they’re gay without possibly getting punched in the gut. While the general American public seems to believe everyone and his cousin is queer or bisexual, we know too well how small a minority we really are. Being gay and trying to meet anyone for a hookup or a romantic date in a small town is really hard.

Finding a Good Match

Obviously not all men are after the same thing at the same time in their love lives. At this point in time you may not want a serious relationship with a man, but want to go out casually. Or vice versa. Dating online allows you to describe and make clear your preferences, and to look for people whose preferences match yours. Among all the gay profiles you find there will be some just curious, and possibly some fake ones, but still there’s a wealth choices you might never meet without the internet. You’ve found more of the world.

In many communities large or small, homosexuals are apt to be victims of discrimination. Therefore there might be lots of gay guys in your area, even your neighborhood, that you don’t have any idea of because they keep a low profile regarding their sexuality. People can lose jobs or job opportunities, or even fall victim to harassment. Tolerance grows slowly, and the culture and society change slowly too. Recent changes for marriage and other individual rights encourage us but lots of men still choose or even need to keep their orientation private, at least for the time being.

How a Dating Site Focused on Gay Singles helps

If you’re one of the privacy-loving guys, use gay date sites to enhance your life. They’re anonymous when you sign up because that’s how any dating site is, generally. Writing a profile and posting it gives you a chance to think about what is most important to you in a partner or just in a date. You can get very, very specific as to personal qualities if you like, to find some singles who might be a good fit for you. However if you don’t find enough men in your search, widen the geographic area or lose a few specifics.

Another thing to consider is if you’re willing to relocate if you found a man who’s everything you wanted. In a small town with fewer guys to choose among, this may be something you’d think about seriously. You can check out different zip codes on a gay dating site and see if singles are more available in a nearby city; the site often will not require you to be anything but a free member for such searches.

In addition, if privacy is a very high priority, you can choose matches from a zip code outside your immediate area on the gay dating site you join. That can help separate your work & home life from this experience, making it unlikely anyone you know will run into you while you’re on a date with a man. And there’s nothing wrong with discovering new restaurants and sights to enjoy.

It is unfortunate that anyone must worry about being his true self. But the hard fact of the matter is that there are certain professions in which someone is at risk of losing his employment over sexual matters. One of those professions is of course teaching. Teachers, as role models of the young, have always been a target of prejudice and misunderstanding from the public. Any teacher but especially the homosexual teacher must, like Caesar’s wife, avoid even the appearance of living a life that’s not what the local people think is moral and good. Localities vary in their tolerance, so meeting a gay friend on a dating site and even going out on a date somewhere out of town can protect your interests.

Many gays who lived closeted lives throw open the door when they meet someone and fall in love. When you’ve found that special person, it makes living openly worth it, and demonstrates pride in your relationship. That’s a wonderful thing. But in order to get there and find that one person, you’ve got to go out and look — start dating. Gay dating websites are a tool today we’re lucky to have; why not make use of them?

So, you have met an interesting potential partner and want to head out on the town, but you have no idea where to go. It is important to choose a place where the both of you can easily talk while also having fun. For example, a movie is not a great place to have a conversation and while this is fine for some dates, when you are getting to know someone, you want to be able to chat and share some fun times. There are many great date ideas for gay couples that will allow you to get to know each other, as well as create some fun memories.

Get Physical

If you are more of a nervous and shy person, why not break a sweat with your partner. Playing a sport, taking a hike or heading for a bike ride is a great way to bond and have fun, but also allows you to talk. This could also turn into a regular thing if you both have fun. Make sure that you choose an activity that both you and your date can enjoy. For example, if your partner does not like golf, taking them there could be a bit awkward. There is no doubt that the both of you have at least one physical activity that you both enjoy.

Go to a Live Music Show

In the nice weather, you can often find live music outdoors at local parks and other outdoor venues. In the cooler weather, live music can be found everywhere from local concert clubs to small pubs and coffee shops. You can find rock bands, jazz bands and everything in between. Talk to your partner and get to know the type of music they like and find a type of music that you both enjoy and see a show in that genre. If you go to see a more upbeat band, you could make this date into a combination of live music and some dancing. Most pubs and coffee shops also sell some type of food, so you can include dinner on this date too.

Hit the Beach

The beach is always a good time and allows for a variety of activities. You could pack up a lunch and some drinks and make it into a lunch date. You could simply lie out together and chat. You could bring a Frisbee or a volleyball and turn this date into a physical date. Or, bring all three things and just spend the entire day soaking up the sun and enjoying each other’s company. With the beach, the possibilities are just about endless.

Laser Tag

You and your date can team up to take on another team in laser tag. This is a great way to create a bond and to see how your partner is under pressure. Most large cities will have laser tag places either right in the city or in a nearby suburb. The great thing about this date is that if things just are not going great, it is not a very long date, so you can be polite and finish the date and then head home.

Take a Cooking Class

Not everyone is a natural-born cook. Cooking classes can also be fun. You both can get a bit messy, talk about your favorite foods and then eat something that you both worked together to make. Cooking classes can be a one-time thing or it can be something that you both do semi-regularly, depending on how much you enjoy it. Some cooking classes are free, so you get to have fun together and get a free meal. Those that are not free and usually rather inexpensive.

Hit an Art Walk

Most major cities have art walks at least once a month. At an art walk, all of the local galleries will open their doors and have refreshments for those that stop by. Cities that do not have an art walk may do a local art show that is open to the public. This is usually outdoors in the warm weather and at a local gallery in the cold months. These are free and will provide plenty of conversation starters. To top it off, free food and drinks are usually always available, so you both can skip dinner if you’d like to.

Hit Up the Local Fair or Amusement Park

Adding some thrill to your date can be a great way to either make a good first impression or to spice things up if you have been dating awhile. Fairs will be less expensive and usually less of a hassle. They tend to have fewer rides and activities, but plenty to keep you both entertained for at least a few hours. Fairs also tend to have great food, so you both could grab dinner here too. Amusement parks usually have rides, games and a water park, so the both of you are sure to find several activities that you both can enjoy.

Hit Up a Comedy Club

Laughing is a great way to bond and create fun memories. Of course, not all comedians are the funniest, but you are both sure to have a good time either way. Some of the biggest comedy clubs have nights where they serve dinner and drinks, as well as offer comedy acts. Prices vary across the country, but these are generally rather affordable unless a major and well-known comedian is performing.

Volunteer Together

If you and your partner have a passion for giving back and helping others, spending a few hours volunteering together is sure to be a phenomenal date. Not only is this is a great date, but it is free. If you are both handy, helping to build homes is a great idea. If you have a heart for the homeless population, working at a soup kitchen or collecting food and clothing are great things to do. There is no shortage of volunteer opportunities throughout the country, so just hit up the web to find the ones that both you and your partner have the most passion for.

Your Favorite Spots

One great date idea that is also a great way to get to know each other is to take each other to your favorite spots. For example, if your favorite spot is a local park, you take your date there and spend a little time doing various activities. If your date’s favorite spot is a local bistro, go there and try your mate’s favorite dish with them. You will both learn things about each other and have a complete date night.

Make it a Group Date

Have your partner bring their closest few friends and you bring yours. It is a good idea to do this at your house and make it a pot luck-style night. This is a great way for the both of you to get to know each other’s friends. It is also a great way to try new foods. Food always brings people together, so allowing each guest to bring their favorite dish is not only a good conversation starter, but a great way to make bonds. Of course, there is always a chance that two guests won’t like each other, but there are plenty of other guests for them to mingle with.