Recently went on a date with a gay guy, I informed him beforehand that I’m discreet and he respected that.

During the date he showed a lot of red flags. I turned down a second date and he lost the plot and has been harassing me on the apps for the last couple days now.

I think I’m fucked cos he’s a local and we frequent the same places. I’m worried he’ll make a scene if he sees me in public with friends/family that I’m not out to.

I’m in my late twenties and partnered, and I’ve never really felt like I’ve found my place in the gay community.

I have gay friends but they’re mostly people who are similar to us ie busy with work, in LTRs and generally living pretty ordinary lives. I’m grateful for those friendships, but I sometimes wonder why it feels so difficult to actually meet people and form genuine friendships within the wider community.

A lot of the gay social scene seems centred around bars, clubs, hookups, circuit parties and pretty heavy drinking/drug use. Absolutely no judgement to anyone who enjoys that, it’s just really not my scene. Whenever I’ve gone to gay bars or clubs, I’ve often come away feeling more like an outsider rather than less.

When I was a teenager, I had this idea that once I came out, everything would fall into place. I remember people saying things like “just go to gay bars and clubs” and that eventually you’d find your people and live happily ever after, but the reality has been pretty different.

I feel like my sexuality is actually a relatively small part of who I am. I’m gay and I’m comfortable with that but I guess what I'm saying is it isn't the centre of my identity or my interests. At the same time, it’s still something I’m working through personally and exploring with a psychologist, particularly some of the feelings of being different or not quite fitting in.

I’ve also seen quite a few people say that this isn’t necessarily a uniquely gay experience. Apparently making genuine new friends in your late twenties/early thirties in Sydney can be difficult.

So I guess I’m mostly venting, but I’m also wondering if anyone else feels like this?

I have a job I enjoy, have financial security and a loving partner but is this it? I use Instagram way too much and compare my life and feel sad when I see people partying etc almost like FOMO but I'm not really interested in doing that. I feel unfulfilled. I don't know.

Did anyone else reach this age and find the gay community they imagined when they were younger doesn't really exist for them? And where did you eventually find your people?

I'm moving to Australia soon. Its been a lifelong dream of mine. I've heard some horror stories usually revolving around the theme of shallow hookups but no interest in real relationships. I really like a big pool to date from so I can feel like my options are open and I don't have to worry about finding people I'm attracted to. I'm afraid with a small dating pool id be viewed as just another American guy. I know I'm young and lots of my worries don't make much sense but, I was wondering if you guys could recommend cities with vibrant and diverse dating communities where that pressure isn't so intense.

Hey everyone,

So I've been in London for 5 years now but a job opportunity might take me to Sydney and honestly I have no clue what life there is actually like beyond the whole "beaches and sunshine" thing everyone says. Early 30s, single, gay, and I'd basically be starting completely from scratch socially, so would really appreciate some real talk from people who've actually lived it.

A few things I keep wondering about:

Making friends first off — London's got a ton of gay sports clubs, social groups, random communities for basically anything you're into. Is there something similar in Sydney or does it feel more like everyone already has their friend group locked in and it's hard to break in? Starting over socially in your 30s is already daunting enough without it being a closed-off scene.

Then there's the going out side of things. I'm into clubbing, techno, circuit parties, that kind of stuff. Does Sydney actually deliver variety or do you run through the options pretty fast and end up bored?

Also curious about the hookup/sex side of the scene tbh. London's hookup culture is massive — saunas, sex clubs, fetish nights, literally something for every niche. How does Sydney compare? Is there an actual sex-positive scene going on or is it a lot smaller than what I'm used to?

And honestly the big one for me — dating for something real. London has SO many gay men but somehow dating still feels disposable as hell, hard to build anything actually meaningful. Is Sydney any better on that front, or does the smaller pool just create a whole different set of problems?

Appreciate any insight, thanks!

Middle age make moving to Sydney and would like to kit the saunas , will look at getting MonkeyPox vaccine, but wanted to be in medication to prevent HIV and reduce chance of other STI’s . Is the Taylor Square medical

Clinic the best option or is there other places ?

I haven’t got these sorted before as I currently live regional and in another state and have very sex infrequently.

Anyone know where i can get a male to male massage on the sunny coast qld

I am 24 m with south Asian background. I recently have started exploring more things and had been wondering whether I should buy a jockstrap? I have tried to find info online about where to buy and all but it’s has not been useful but more so marketed stuff. I am really new to all this. Not sure what types are there if there any and how to choose which ones to buy. Any kind of tips or recommendations will be great help. Thank you. Dm accepted

I’m just looking for networking events to make some gay friends here in Sydney. Bit of a late boomer. Any gaming events are also good but I can only play tennis or badminton. ☺️

"Once stigmatised — and illegal — gay saunas like the one Glenn McNamara runs hold a special place in LGBTQI+ history."

Hey! 23M - Currently “Straight,” but been wanting to explore this urge on being with Men.
After doubt and of course excitement, I’d thought i’d come on here in regards to how WoW is for “Straight curious” men.
I’m a top - was just wondering what the general consensus is.

Hi everyone, hope it's okay to share this one here as we think you’ll enjoy it.

From the Producers of RuPaul’s Drag race, STOP! THAT! TRAIN! is hitting cinemas around the country on August 13, with selected advance screenings this weekend for anyone who can't wait.

Check out the trailer: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DAh4axQHK/

To see cinemas and session times near you, and to book tickets for this weekend or August 13 onwards, visit:  https://www.flicks.com.au/movie/stop-that-train/

Would love to hear what you all think if you go along. Tag us at u/maslowentertainment

Gunna make a trip up to Sydney and get a hotel and keen to fuck all day. What’s best sauna, aarows or stick to Oxford street? Young 30 year old average build

Hi! I’ve only been in Sydney for a month, and I’m wondering how people usually make gay friends, get involved in the LGBTQ+ community, or meet people for dating in Sydney (not hookups). Thanks

Is it normal to get an itchy feeling in the back of your throat after swallowing cum?

Edit: It's everytime I swallow and not particular people

Hi everyone, English is not my first language, so sorry for any mistakes.

I’m from Taiwan on a working visa. I just started a new FIFO job in housekeeping and as an all-rounder I’ve only done a couple of swings so far in this 3 months

During one swing I met a guy and we got close. He is married and has a son who is actually a couple of years younger than me. He sometimes tell me ‘If only my son listened to me like you.’

On top of that, he is super discreet. He told me I cannot say hi to him when we see each other on site , I can only go to his room very late at night and must leave before 3am since that’s when a lot of the other guys start to get ready for work , He says FIFO is a very homophobic place to work and that he’s protecting me

I feeling confused. Is this just a normal "FIFO fling" because of the strict environment, or am I just being used as a secret side piece? Should I just walk away?

Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks

Update: he didn’t want anyone to find out about us :
Pretty devastating but
I’ve been bringing some new clothes to the camp , 2 wigs and learning makeup , didn’t realise how popular I am now . My DMs on tinder and grindr are getting new messages everyday

Hey, 29, Gay. I’ll be visiting Sydney on last week of August. Any recommendations where I can experience queer culture in Sydney?

Or if not queer culture, any recommendations of
- Books to buy/bookstores to visit
- Museums I can’t miss
- Coffee shops
- Good running areas
- Or any random suggestion to try tbh haha

Thank you!

It took me aback when I saw this in an SBS ad, and a couple of moments to realise what it really is!

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=image+of+world+cup+trophy&atb=v428-1&ko=-1&t=ddg_android&ia=images&iax=images&iai=https%3A%2F%2Ftoppng.com%2Fuploads%2Fpreview%2Fworld-cup-trophy-png-11669143902zgaw8e2m4w.png

Hi has anybody been to the Red party at bunker sydney and what was it like ?

Divine Playhouse, Sydney's newest performing arts venue, was forced to close just days after opening following complaints from a small group of Christian fundamentalists. There are now reports that the venue's future at 420 Kent Street is under threat.

If a lawful tenant can be driven out because a vocal minority objects to the LGBTQIA+ community and its creative expression, it sets a dangerous precedent. It sends the message that organised pressure campaigns can determine which communities are allowed to occupy public and cultural spaces.

While this has been framed as a matter of religious offence, no one has a right to veto a lawful arts venue simply because they find its creative expression objectionable.

420 Kent Street has not been a church for decades. It was deconsecrated long ago and operated as a theatre for approximately seventy years before becoming home to this new venue. The current campaign ignores that history and threatens to deprive Sydney of a much-needed independent cultural space before it has even had the chance to establish itself.

Sydney has already lost too many live music venues, theatres and queer spaces. We cannot afford to lose another.

We call on Revelop (the owners of the space) to stand by its tenant, reject pressure from those seeking to silence queer culture, and allow this venue the opportunity to succeed.

Sign this petition to show your support for Sydney's arts community, freedom of expression and the right of LGBTQIA+ people to create, perform and gather without being targeted by campaigns of intimidation.