It’s Valentine’s Day–whether we like to admit it or not. For some, it’s a day to go to the fanciest restaurant in town with their special somebody and eat chocolate-covered strawberries for dessert.
For others, it’s the most dreaded day of the year–“Singles Awareness Day,” as it’s been dubbed by many. It’s a day to hole up in the living room with a stack of horror movies and a few pints of Ben & Jerry’s–anything to avoid being exposed to the red heart decorations and hand-holding couples that seem to fill every inch of public property.
Around this time of year, it seems like everyone either has someone or is frantically looking. Even those who claim to be perfectly content in their singleness–they insist that V-Day is just a commercial holiday designed to sell us stuff we don’t need–can be caught posting a status about drinking away their troubles or going out to a bar for a hopeful look around at the other singles.
While everyone is plagued by the need to find that “special someone,” I’ve found that it poses a particularly difficult problem for those outside the heterosexual playing field. While it’s impossible to get an exact number, most people estimate that only between 5 and 10 percent of the population is gay, so that cute girl or guy you see walking down the street is most likely straight. Good news for straight people!
But for that other 10 percent, the prospect of asking a stranger out on a date is far more daunting. We’re plagued by the same questions as everyone else: What if I’m not her type? and What if he’s already in a relationship?
But on top of all that, we have to ask ourselves another question: What if they’re not gay?
The chances of being rejected seem to multiply tenfold when you throw that question into the equation–not to mention the fear that revealing your sexuality might have dire consequences. For many LGBT people living in more conservative areas, the fear of being “outed” is more than enough to keep them from asking anyone out on a date.
However, in this day and age, there are a million and one ways to meet new people: hotlines, online dating services, social networking sites, etc.
So, my question to you (as someone who is planning to spend V-Day commiserating with my equally single friend) is this:
What is the best way to meet that special someone? How did you meet your girlfriend or boyfriend? Have a love story (or a horror story)? Just want to commiserate with me? I want to hear it!
Be sure to vote in my poll or comment below! Like this article? Be sure to click “like” or share with your friends on facebook and twitter!
Photo compliments of “my life in cake“—a blog about cake. Who doesn’t love that?