I started gay dating in my late 20s. I felt shy at first. As a bear guy, bearded and big, I wanted real links. Bearwww changed things for me. It helped me build trust. Find love. Keep bonds strong. This is my story. From low self-view to happy ties. I learned tips that work. Along the way, small moments shaped me. Like that rainy night chat that sparked my first big crush.
Table of Contents
Build My Self-Trust as a Gay Man
I used to hide parts of me. Like my love for old jazz tunes. Then I chose to be true. I owned my gay side. It made me shine. Dates saw the real me. It felt good. One time, I shared my jazz playlist on a walk. The guy smiled big. We danced in the park. Rain fell light. That boost stayed with me.I found good friends. Some in the LGBTQ group. Online and in life. They gave me strength. We shared tales. It cut my alone feel. At a bear meet-up, we sat by a fire. Told break-up stories. Laughed till dawn. Their hugs fixed my doubts.I tried new things. Like paint class or gym time. It grew my joy. Made me more fun to date. I felt strong inside. In paint class, I made a mess. Blue spots on my shirt. But the teacher said, “Own it.” I did. Took that vibe to dates.
Know What I Want in a Tie
I thought hard on goals. Fun dates or deep love? I picked what fit me. Once, I tried fun only. We met at a fair. Rode rides. Ate cotton candy. Sticky fingers. But I craved more. Switched to deep.I tried one-on-one bonds. They gave trust and growth. We shared all. My first one: We cooked pasta at home. Sauce splat on walls. We cleaned and laughed. Built our world.I tried open styles too. With clear talk and rules. It worked if both said yes. At a party, we set rules first. No jealousy. Just fun chats after. Kept it light.No right way. I shared my views early. It helped find good fits. On one date, I said up front. He nodded. We walked by a lake. Ducks quacked. Felt right.
Win on Online Date Apps
I picked gay apps like Grindr and Scruff. But Bearwww was best for bears. It matched my vibe. First log-in: Heart raced. Saw a profile like mine. Messaged him.I fixed my page. New pics of me real. Bio on likes: hikes, food, laughs. What I seek: true chats. One pic: Me on a hill. Wind in beard. Got thumbs up.I asked good questions. Like “What makes you smile?” We did video calls fast. Then met in person. First call: He showed his dog. Fluffy pup barked. I laughed hard. Met next day.I joined queer chats online. Events too. Met more guys that way. At an online game night, we played cards. Jokes flew. Won a friend for life.
Handle Tie Ups and Downs
I set rules early. Shared wants and no-gos. No mix-ups. In one tie, we sat on a bench. Listed likes. Stars shone. No fights later.We gave respect. Listened well. Felt each other’s hearts. It built strong links. When sad, he held my hand. Rain outside. Warm inside.I kept my own life. Did my hobbies. We grew side by side. It kept us fresh. I hiked alone. Came back with stories. He loved them.
Bounce Back from No’s
No’s hurt at first. Like a punch. But I saw them as clues. Not about my worth. Just fit. One no: After coffee spill on my lap. We laughed. But no spark. Next try better.Each date taught me. What I like. What to skip. Bad date: Food stuck in teeth. Mirror check late. Now I prep more.I talked to friends. They cheered me up. Kept me going. Over pizza, they said, “Next one’s yours.” Pep talk worked.
Try New Things
I stuck to one type. Tall bears only. Then I tried more. Found joy in new looks and ways. Dated a slim guy. He taught me yoga. Bent like pretzel. I fell over. Giggles all night.I went to queer meets. Outside my spots. Made surprise friends. At a book club, read poems. Tears and hugs. New views.
Wait and Keep Going
I wanted fast wins. But good ties take time. I picked few deep chats. One lasted weeks. Shared dreams. Slow build to kiss under lights.Slow times came. I used them to rest. Fix my page. In down time, watched sunsets. Thought clear.I did small steps each day. Sent one note. It built up. One note led to beach walk. Waves crashed. Magic start.
Keep Love Strong Long Term
We talked open. Checked feelings. Planned ahead. Weekly chats by fire. Popcorn pops. Deep words.Fights? We used kind words. Found fixes. No blame. One fight: Over late texts. Said sorry. Hugged tight. Fixed fast.We kept fun. New trips. Gifts. Alone time too. Surprise picnic: Blanket on grass. Birds sang. Spark back.We checked rules now and then. Made sure we match. Over coffee, we asked, “Still good?” Yes always.
My Last Thoughts
Gay dating can thrill and test. But with trust, clear wants, good gay apps like Bearwww, and care, it works. Be true. Talk lots. Build friends. It leads to joy. I found my way. You can too. Remember that rainy dance? It started it all.