8 Unique Ways to Meet Gay Men
It might be raining men at the gay club, but that’s not really your scene. You’re ready to make the kind of real connection that’s difficult to make while shouting over a Beyoncé track. You’re looking for more than just someone to share a dance with. You’re looking for someone to come home to. Yet outside of the bar scene, it can be difficult to figure out where to meet other gay guys, especially guys that actually share your interests. So where else can you go to meet gay men?
The trick is to think outside of the box. While opportunities for gay dating might not always seem immediately obvious, once you start getting creative you’ll see that the possibilities for meeting the man of your dreams are virtually endless. There are probably dozens of places to connect with the guy of your dreams right in your own backyard that you haven’t even considered yet.
Are you not quite sure how to get started? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. We’ve got the lowdown on loads of fun and totally unique ways to meet gay men. We even broke it down by type so you’re sure to find exactly the kind of guy you are looking for. So if you’re single and ready to mingle, read on for all the tips on how to get your dating life out of the gay clubs and on track to some serious romance.
Where to Meet Smart Gay Men
Does the deep, intellectual type make you swoon? If you’re looking to meet gay men whose brains are as big as their, uh, hearts, you have lots of options. The trick is to find events that will tickle your brainy future boyfriend’s intellect. Check out your local college or university to see if the Queer Studies department will be hosting any guest lectures that are open to the public, go to a book-signing for your favorite LGBTQ author or join a gay book club.
These sorts of activities are sure to attract the sort of intelligent man you’re seeking. Best of all, when you lock eyes with the brooding hottie across the room, you won’t have to scramble for something to talk about as the event will give you all the ice-breaking conversation starters you need. When your dream guy hears you wax poetic about his favorite work of LGBTQ fiction, he won’t be able to resist your charms.
Where to Meet Funny Gay Men
Is there anything better than a funny guy? We think not. If you’re dying to meet gay men who can tickle your funny bone, you need look no further than your local comedy club. There are lots of amazing gay comedians working right now (Cameron Esposito, Simon Amstell and Sampson McCormick are some of our favorites), but you don’t necessarily have to wait for one of these big names to come to town to enjoy a night of queer comedy.
LGBTQ-friendly comedy shows are popping up all over the place and they can be the perfect spot to meet the hilarious hottie of your dreams. Remember to not just look on stage for your next potential main squeeze -- look in the audience as well. Your dream date doesn’t need to be a professional comedian to have a great sense of humor and a comedy show is the perfect place to meet gay men who love to laugh.
Where to Meet Politically Active Gay Men
Wondering how to meet gay men who are as politically savvy as you are? To meet gay guys who are engaged in social justice issues, the best approach is to get involved yourself. From your local chapter of GLAAD, to your local LGBTQ community center, to canvassing for political candidates who stand on the right side of LGBTQ issues, volunteer opportunities are everywhere.
Not only are these organizations sure to attract the type of enlightened guy you are looking for, but you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing that you aren’t just dating -- you’re making a difference. When you meet someone who shares your passions, it’ll be no time before you are sharing so much more (maybe even your free sample of Astroglide).
Where to Meet Artistic Gay Men
Does the idea of a creative man make your heart skip a beat? If you want to meet gay men with a serious artistic side you need look no further than your local art gallery. Check the arts section of the newspaper or arts message boards online and you’re sure to find LGBTQ art shows in your area. Art openings can be a great place to meet artistically inclined gay men as members of the arts community attend these events to support each other.
While you’re mingling with your glass of wine, ask the handsome guy beside you what he thinks of the collection. When he sees that you share his appreciation for art, he may just want to see what else you can share.
Where to Meet Spiritual Gay Men
Are you longing for the good, church-going type of man of that you can bring home to mom? If you want to meet gay men who are in touch with their spiritual side, you have more options than ever. LGBTQ-friendly churches and faith-based groups are everywhere and their numbers are growing. Getting involved with one of these churches or organizations is a great way to meet gay men who share your values.
If it’s been awhile since you’ve been to church or if you are unsure of what belief system, in any, works for you, don’t stress. You can take a free belief self-assessment test online to point you in the right direction. Taking the time to find the right faith-based community for you means that you’ll have a better chance to meet gay men with compatible beliefs and perspectives, so don’t be afraid to shop around. Once you’ve established that solid base for a relationship, it’s inevitable that sparks will fly.
Where to Meet Geeky Gay Men
Do you geek out over comic books, video games and Dr. Who? If you want to meet gay men who can geek out with you there are a few places that you can start. Check online postings for local meetups on sites like MeetUp. A quick search for “gay geeks” should give you all the info about where to go to meet and hangout with gay men who share your interests.
Another great place to meet your next main squeeze is at LGBTQ comic conventions like Flame Con hosted by Geeks Out. Spend a whole weekend mingling with like-minded gay men and you just might make a connection with the handsome geek of your dreams.
Where to Meet Sober Gay Men
If you’re sober and wanting to meet gay men who are on the same path, the typical gay bar scene can be particularly unappealing. Meeting potential love interests who share your lifestyle can be tricky because many events and activities still involve alcohol and it can be difficult to determine if the handsome guy you’ve got your eye on is sober without asking up front.
The good news is that, as with everything these days, there’s an app for that. Sober Grid is an app specifically designed to help sober people connect for friendship, dating, and more. You can filter your matches for gay men and start connecting with guys in your area who’ve also chosen sobriety. Taking the guess work out of your dating life will free you up to make connections around your other interests and find that guy you’ve been looking for.
Where to Meet Outdoorsy Gay Men
Does the thought of a rugged, outdoorsy man lit your fire? If you’re looking to meet gay men who share your love of nature, you’re in luck. There are several sites online like Gay Outdoors and Outdoor Lads that host hiking and camping excursions around the country for gay men who are hardcore outdoors enthusiasts.
Gentle strolls through the woods these are not. These trips are specifically designed for men who are as serious about gay dating as they are an authentic camping experience. The even better news is that once you’re there and sleeping under the stars, Mother Nature will provide all the ambiance you need to make a romantic connection with a dreamy new guy.
Where to Meet the Perfect Guy for You
We hope this has helped you see that when it comes to gay dating, you have a lot more options than you might think. The truth is that in most ways gay dating is just like straight dating and finding the right person for you isn’t that difficult -- you just have to know where to look.
The great news is that the key to meeting men that you connect with on more than just a physical level is to start by doing more of the things that you love to do. Whether you’re passionate about travel, films, political action or bicycling, finding ways to do more of those things will inevitably result in more gay men who share those interests crossing your path. Once you find someone who connects with you on the things you love most, romance is sure to follow.