Do you sometimes find yourself asking 'where are all the
other gay people'?
For anyone living in a small town or somewhere where it
is hard to be gay because of local attitudes or the threat of violence, it can
sometimes seem like being 'the only gay in the village'. But gay people are
everywhere, even if they are not as visible in some places as others.
How to make gay friends is something that most gay men
and lesbians have had to consider at some point in their lives. It used to be
that gay bars and clubs seemed the easiest option for making friends. Then
along came the Internet. The Internet has revolutionised the way people meet
and make friends with similar interests. Like other approaches, it can be
challenging to meet people over the Internet, particularly when it comes to
meeting up in person. If shyness is something that holds you back, the Internet
can be a good place to start.
But there are lots of other places where you can meet and
make new friends who are also gay, lesbian or same sex attracted. If you close
your eyes and imagine someone whose company you would enjoy, what sorts of
things might they be doing? What sorts of activities might fill their day? What
might their occupation be? Where would these activities take place?
At gaycounselling.org we have made a list of 5 top tips
for making friends. Take a look!
