Are you a single gay man? Wondering how and where to meet other single gay men? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. It can be difficult to find other members of the LGBTQ+ community who are single and looking for a relationship. But there are definitely a few hot spots you can try to find a match!
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The best places to meet gay men
- Where to go to find others who are looking for love
- Some unusual places to meet men you may not have considered
Let’s get out there and get dating! Here are the 8 best places to meet gay men.
1. Online dating sites
By far, online dating sites are the easiest places to find men you can connect with. You can meet gay men on traditional sites, or find websites that are catered specifically to the LGBTQ+ community. They’re easy to find, too. Simply search something like, “meet gay singles” in Google and you’ll be presented with dozens of websites you can join, or at least check out!
Make your profile reflect your personality! Upload a great picture of yourself, and be honest when you talk about your interests, your religious beliefs, your preferences and what you’re looking for in a partner. Then, scroll through your potential matches and find someone you can truly connect with.
There are free dating sites and paid ones – you decide which ones you’d like to join. Free sites are great, as you’ll find lots of matches. But paid sites attract gay men who are more serious about finding a match.
- You can meet single gay men online – just join an online dating site
- Be honest as you create your dating site profile
- There are free sites and paid sites – you can decide which type you’d like to join
2. Travel abroad
Let’s face it. Some countries just aren’t too LGBTQ+ friendly. You’re not going to easily meet a gay man in a nation where the orientation is taboo, or where people are ostracized for their sexual orientation.
Why not travel abroad? You can find a partner in a country that’s gay-friendly, and you may even decide to stay! In fact, there’s a list of the most and least LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world. Topping the list are Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Canada, France, the UK and Spain. At the bottom are Russia, Jordan, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Be sure to familiarize yourself with biases and laws before you travel.
Certain cities in the United States are gay-friendly, too! Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle are at the top of the list. Depending on where you go, you can certainly find a partner travelling abroad, or even to cities within your own nation!
- There are cities and nations in the world that are more gay-friendly than others
- It’s not easy to find a partner in a nation that considers the LGBTQ+ community taboo
- Travel abroad to improve your chances of meeting a gay man
3. Travel with a group
If solo travel isn’t your thing, you can meet a gay man by travelling with a group. Check local internet search results for travel clubs or groups that cater to the LGBTQ+ crowd. You’ll find groups that include all sexual orientations and groups that are specifically designed to host gay men and women.
The places you go can range from travel to another country to simply taking a hiking trip to the nearby mountains. Gay singles will be on these trips, so don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to others! You already know you have something in common – your love of travel – so take the next step and let that hot guy know you’re interested!
- All around the world, travel groups host events for the LGBTQ+ community
- You may travel locally or even internationally within these groups
- Travel groups are a great way to meet a gay man – after all, you already both love to travel!
4. The bar
Yes, we said it. It simply had to be said. The bar scene may not be your jam, but you can definitely meet a gay man if you go to a gay or gay-friendly bar.
Be mindful if you do choose the bar as your venue to meet a gay man. Bars, no matter if they’re marketed to the LGBTQ+ community, bikers, whatever… are notoriously packed with people who are just looking for a fling or one night stand. Try to get a feel for the men you’re chatting with. If that’s what you want, too, great! If you’re looking for a relationship, move on to the next guy.
- You truly can meet a gay man at the bar
- Bars aren’t for everyone, but you can meet a mix of people there
- Look out for people who are only interested in a one night stand
5. On social media
Yep, you heard right. You can meet a gay man right from the comfort of your own couch when you join – and are active on – social media. Facebook groups, for example, are a terrific way to meet people. Twitter chats are another.
It’s going to take a little work on your part. Again, you’ll have to be active. Unlike online dating sites, social media isn’t exclusively geared toward dating, so you’ll have to tell the world you’re single and looking for love.
Join LGBTQ+ groups, particularly ones that are local to you. Then, get to chatting with people you find interesting. You may just meet the man of your dreams on Facebook, Twitter or Insta!
- You can meet gay men on social media
- Join groups with an LGBTQ+ focus, and let the world know you’re single!
- Local groups will be especially helpful as you seek to meet a gay man
6. Fundraisers and events
Depending on where in the world you live, you may have quite a bit of fun at LGBTQ+ events and fundraisers. There are added perks, too: you’ll be supporting a good cause and you can meet a gay man you connect with at these events!
Causes you may find supported in your area may include World AIDS Day, civil rights activism and even cancer fundraisers. Check with your local indie newspaper or do a Google search to find events in your area.
- You can support causes you care about and meet men in the process
- Check local indie publications and Google search results for fundraisers near you
- These events are everywhere, but may vary from nation to nation
7. Volunteer
Another great way to meet a gay man is by volunteering. By supporting a cause you feel passionate about, you can meet a man you feel passionate about. The best part is that you can choose the cause you support. Love animals? Volunteer at the shelter. Support research for Alzheimer’s? That’s who you should volunteer with.
When you meet a man volunteering, you know you’ve already got common interests and passions. After all, who’s going to volunteer at a cat rescue if they hate cats? No one, that’s who. Even the smallest of tasks at an event, too, can lead to meeting that special someone. Check coats at the theater or clean up after a varsity football game. You could meet just the person you were looking for.
- You can meet a gay man with similar passions when you volunteer
- Your volunteer role doesn’t have to be huge, you can still socialize
- Make sure you do converse with the people who are also volunteering at the event!
8. Join an industry-specific professional organization
No matter what your industry, whether it’s bioengineering or aviation, you can find a professional organization to join. What’s even better is that many of these groups have “sub-groups” which benefit the LGBTQ+ community.
Research organizations in your area, then find out about the chapters within those organizations. You could be a surgeon, a tailor or a dishwasher – it doesn’t matter; there’s a professional group out there where you can meet a gay man you connect with.
Don’t forget to also attend events sponsored by these organizations. There are frequently meet-and-greets, national conferences and social outings held by these groups that will give you additional opportunity to meet men you want to get to know better.
It’s entirely fine to let others within this group know you’re single. Don’t be pushy or creepy about it, but don’t hesitate to mention it over drinks after the day’s main events are over!
- Most industries have professional organizations you can join
- Many of these groups have chapters within the organization that are specific to the LGBTQ+ community
- You can meet many men you connect with when you attend the events these organizations sponsor
Conclusion
It can be hard to meet a gay man you connect with, especially if you’re in a location where the LGBTQ+ community isn’t accepted. Fortunately, there are many options available – from volunteering to participating in professional organizations, you can meet men either in person or online.
Get out there, let the world know you’re single, and get ready to meet a man you can start a relationship with!
