Baltimore OUTloud | Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community News Maryland

Of course, these days, the most common way to meet people is online. For better or for worst, social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace are the modern bar, at least in terms of meeting people. The cocktails people keep sending me on Facebook are nowhere near as good as the real thing. (PS...feel free to stop sending me those things. And while we're on the subject, no I don't want to join your guild, your vampire coven, or plant something in your farm. And no, that last one is not a euphemism.)

Dating sites like Gay.com, JustGuys.net, Connexion.org, and even more mainstream sites like Chemistry.com, can sometimes be helpful in meeting people as long as you're extremely selective, but for the most part, they tend to turn into meat markets. (Let's not even get into sites like Manhunt and Adam4Adam. If you're using those sites, you're not exactly looking for a lasting relationship, unless by lasting you mean ten to fifteen minutes.)

That said, I have met some great guys on dating sites, including my current boyfriend. Again, I reiterate, you just have to be very careful. Make sure you're specific about what you're looking for when you fill out your profile. The more information you give, the more likely you'll find someone with similar interests and goals.

The danger with meeting guys online is that sometimes the virtual meeting can turn into virtual dating. Here's a tip. Don't do it. For every long-distance, online relationship that actually works out, there are probably a thousand that don't. Maybe more. It just doesn't work. Relationships grow by spending time together. Chatting on IM or texting doesn't count as quality time. There's no substitute for real interaction.

So there you go. These are just a few suggestions, not an exhaustive list by any means. The important thing is to be proactive. You can't just sit around waiting for a guy to fall in your lap. Be creative and think outside the box. Maybe you have some ideas or success stories of your own. Feel free to e-mail them to me. Until next time...Happy Dating!