try too hard to impress and you’ll come across as desperate or cocky. it’s a fine line to walk, especially when he’s right there distracting you with his beard and biceps and nice cologne. but for those of us in the era of apps, sex on the first date is often very much on the table (or the couch). if you met online, don’t assume this is clear based on your profile, or his. in either case, be prepared if …

here are a few guidelines that every smart gay man should keep in mind to stay on top of his game and out of a dead-end relationship. don’t text him too much before the first date.this is a sure fire way to fall in love with the idea of him before getting to know him at all. just because someone can be funny in text or concoct the perfect reply to your questions does not mean that you two are …

no matter your sexuality, the end goal is still the same: meet someone who you get to know, kiss, have sex, fall in love and see where that takes you. the culture of grindr (an app for gay men when you’re looking to get in, get off and get out) is one of directness. a problem i’ve seen in straight relationships is a lack of clarification of what both partners want and expect. articulate what’s going on in your heart …

so when queer people find love, they want to hold onto it. whether you did the breaking up or you got broken up with, there are a lot of emotions and feelings flying around that can be hard to deal with. crying is a healthy way to deal with your emotions, as well as being a natural way to relive stress in the body. talk, talk, talk and talk. after a breakup your mind can be all over the place …

but, whether gay, straight, trans or any other combination, when two people come together to date or to get serious, they face the same highs and lows that surface in any relationship. ditto for later on when you start to dig deeper into issues like building trust, managing expectations, tackling insecurities, navigating communication styles, and even dealing with exes who might be friends or parents of your children. isolation, including being rejected by family members, friends or co-workers, deciding who …