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4 Common Gay Dating Mistakes You Should Avoid

The gay dating world is full of its own pitfalls - make sure you avoid them.

Are you a guy looking to date other guys? If so, you'll want to put your best foot forward by avoiding all of these very common dating mistakes.

Dating is hard. It's even harder, though, for gay men. There are plenty of dating sites out there for those in the LGBTQ community, but this makes it more difficult to find the perfect mate when perusing websites. If you want to have a great time, you'll need to make sure you avoid these common dating mistakes.

#1 No Accidental Outings!

This isn't a tip telling you to hide who you are. In fact, you absolutely need to be yourself! What you do have to remember, though, is that you don't know your partner's experience - yet. Let him take the lead for a moment in setting the pace if he chose the place to meet. If your partner isn't totally out, one of the worst mistakes you can make is out him or her by proxy. This is a rough tightrope to walk for a million different reasons, but it's one you'll have to deal with on your first date.

#2 Don't Treat it Like Grindr

There's a horrible stigma around a man seeking men that treats every first date like it's some kind of prelude to a hookup. Whether or not this is your experience is immaterial - it might not be the experience of the person you are meeting. Treat a date like a date, not like a pretext for a hookup. What you do after is completely your business, but don't get trapped in the expectation that you have to get physical immediately.

(Image: wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock )(Image: wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock)

#3 Avoid the Network

One of the more frustrating parts of gay life is that guys tend to form weird dating networks. Sometimes, this is because of small communities. Other times, it's because it's just easier to stay in the same group. Regardless, it's a good idea to branch out and find people outside of your group. The idea of insular groups of men who tend to trade partners back and forth isn't just a cliché - but it is a bad idea. Try to find a way to strike out on your own for better dates and overall better mental health.

#4 Keep an Open Mind

If you are using dating sites that advertise to a man seeking men, you may well make some assumptions. Being gay is a deeply personal experience, and it's not the same for everyone. If you really want to make a date go sour, you can assume that your experience has been the same as that of your potential partner. There are so many different experiences related to being homosexual, to coming out, and to dealing with the world that you need to remember to keep an open mind at all times.

Don't make the common mistakes when you go out with a guy. Make sure to treat your date like a real date, to be yourself, to keep your partner in mind and to always allow yourself to have a good time. If you can avoid those basic issues, you'll open yourself to the possibility of having a great new relationship.