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Health & Fitness

BLOG: Tips for singles and couples during LA PRIDE weekend

Enjoy Pride whether a single person or part of a couple. But also be cautious and remember first impressions are long lasting.

Across generations, Pride is a time to celebrate community, activism, and voice.  We can reflect on how far the gay movement has come since Stonewall and how diverse LA Pride, more specifically, has become.  As a West Hollywood resident, I am proud that LA Pride can be a place for non-urban members of the LGBT community to come be their true selves and display affection with their same-sex partner. 

In working with the LGBT singles community for years, I realize that many of them view Pride weekend as a time of “opportunity” where so many new (also single) faces are out and about partaking in the Pride events, festivals, and parades.  LGBT singles might be optimistic that they will meet someone new who is “just as out” and just as passionate about being involved in the gay community. 

This year, Pride may be even better attended by proud couples because of the recent support of gay marriage by President Obama and further progress on Prop 8.  We will soon celebrate marriages and (not just long term partnerships) with others in the community.  For my partner, Kim, and me personally, we feel proud to be an LGBT owned and operated business in LA and see Pride as another way to show support for our community by way of helping fuel the marriage equality movement.

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Aside from all the “ideals” surrounding Pride weekend, reality is that this weekend also presents a few days of non-stop celebration, and potentially heavy partying within the LGBT community.  We will host lots of out of town guests – probably more this weekend than other this summer.  In short, single people are likely going to have “a lot of options.”  Pride will bring out those passionate about being involved in our community.  Therefore, there may be lots of “relationship quality” type of people in attendance.

What does this mean?  Well, we always say that “dating is a numbers game.”  However, this doesn’t mean you’ll find the right person after sleeping with the “right” number of people.  Be cautious this weekend. 

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Whereas Pride is a great time to be whoever you truly are, it’s definitely not the time to make bad decisions (in the bedroom) after too many “Pride-tinis.”  Remember that first impressions last a very long time.  If you’re single and ready for a relationship, don’t pursue each new “opportunity” at events this weekend.  As a relationship expert, take it from me:  Long term relationships rarely result from a one night stand.

LA Pride can be a bit of a different experience if in a healthy relationship. There are endless options for fun “date night” ideas with all the hosted Pride events.  Get out and enjoy yourself – as far as we’ve come as a community, Pride is truly an amazing time to feel comfortable out as partners in the city. 

In speaking with clients (i.e., LGBT singles and couples) about their take on the Pride festivities this week, many of them told us that they find inspiration in seeing other couples (especially with or an engagement ring or children)  happy and enjoying time together with their partner. It’s important for couples, families, and both engaged and married people to come out and attend events during Pride because whether or not we know it, many single onlookers envy and hope to be one day also be in love. 

Dating is challenging, so seeing out and proud couples is very inspiring.  The more that we, as coupled LGBT people, can provide a positive example for singles in our community to show that long term relationships can not only exist, it will be clear that they can also thrive.

I find it inspiring to see couples and families representing the LGBT community during the parade (whether they met though our agency or not)!   Mixology is thrilled to be a part of this movement.  Be yourselves and celebrate with others this time of the year.  Happy dating and HAPPY PRIDE!

For more advice, call us. Mixology-Matchmaking with a Twist, at 888-739-2649 or www.ReadyToMix.com, LA’s premier offline LGBT matchmaking agency.

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