Dear Amy: I love your column and how you relate your own experience in your answers.
My question is one I have not seen particularly addressed.
I am a 58-year-old gay man and have identified as bi for most of my adulthood.
I have had significant relationships with both women and men.
After my last relationship, more than 15 years ago, I became unavailable and essentially asexual, barring a few random hook-ups with men.
I’m now feeling like I would like another significant relationship, but I feel like it needs to be with a man.
The “problem” is that I do not come across as gay to the general public.
Women hit on me all the time, but men seem to not realize I’m available or possibly interested.
As a contributing handicap, I am not attracted to most gay men.
How do I go about meeting potential mates without surprising, angering or terrifying the guys I’m attracted to?
– Bi Curious
Dear Bi Curious: You have graciously invited me to relate to you through my own experience and so I will offer this: Like you, in middle age I was single for more than 15 years, “barring a few random hookups with men.”
(And like you, I might have terrified a few men along the way.)
However, you are not responsible for another person’s “terror” at your interest or availability.
Because you are interested in pursuing a serious relationship with a man, you should do your best to get involved with any local organizations where you are likely to meet other gay men. Also, ask the next woman who hits on you if she knows any great guys who might be interested.
Online apps and “matching” websites are plentiful, and some have a reputation for matching people who want to hook up, while others are geared more toward people who are looking for a relationship. Established “dating” sites like OkCupid, EHarmony, Silversingles and Match.com all offer LGBTQ matching opportunities.
According to a 2023 study published by the Pew Research Center,
“ When looking at sexual orientation, lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) adults are more likely than their straight counterparts to say they have ever used a dating site or app (51 percent vs. 28 percent).”
The online matching experience can be a mixed bag, but this is an efficient learning experience for anyone looking to meet new people. You should do some online and in-person research to see if this appeals to you.
Dear Amy: I have a “newer” friend. Let’s call him “Timothy.”
We have been intimate a few times. Timothy has made it very clear that he’s open and willing to “do it” again, anytime I want.
During our last visit Timothy talked about how attractive the women are at his workplace. He said he’s unsure if he could successfully compete with other men to ask them out.
Amy, this rubs me the wrong way, but I’m unsure how to talk to him about it.
Even though we are not “officially” together, I don’t feel comfortable that he is telling me that he wants other women, while also wanting me.
Am I overreacting?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
– Midlife Lady
Dear Midlife Lady: You and “Timothy” are not “officially” together. You are not even unofficially together.
“I am willing to ‘do it’ again any time you want” conveys a willingness to have sex with you again if you’re into it and your schedules align.
While Timothy might believe that this is a generous statement, it is expressed with the same personal connection a person might have toward scheduling their next dental appointment. He has implied that he doesn’t have a chance with the attractive women at the office – but that’s where you come in!
I believe you might have misread Timothy’s intent regarding you. You have already had sex; now it’s time to try to have an honest conversation.
You should ask him, quite simply: “Are you interested in having anything more than a sexual relationship with me?”
After that – no matter how he answers, if you want to form a personal and exclusive relationship with a man, you should probably keep looking – because this guy sounds like a jerk.
Dear Amy: “Engaged and Worried” didn’t include his younger brother as a groomsman at his wedding, and asked five old friends instead.
I guarantee that in 25 years, those five old friends might have fallen by the wayside, but the brother will still be there. He should be the “best man.”
– Grateful Brother
Dear Brother: Very wise. Thank you.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)