The Top 3 Dating Websites for Gay Men

After someone comes out of the closet, it can be difficult to find other gay people to date, especially if you live in a small town. If you're a gay man, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Luckily, the advent of the internet has made it a lot easier for gay people to find one another.

But not all dating sites are created equal when it comes to the homosexual community. Many popular sites have very few gay users, and one of the most popular dating sites doesn't even allow gay people to use their service (more on that later). After some careful searching, I've compiled this list of the top 3 dating websites for gay men.

Number Three--Match.com. Match.com was one of the very first internet dating sites, and recently began a widespread marketing campaign geared specifically towards the gay community. There are lots of gay men to choose from in the Match community, but be forewarned-you probably won't find just a casual date or "one night stand" on Match.com, as nearly all of the men I found were looking more long-term and serious commitments. This might have something to do with the somewhat expensive membership fee, as it probably keeps out those who are less serious.

Number Two--ManHunt.net. On the other hand, if you are looking for something less serious, Manhunt.net just might be the place for you. Manhunt has the distinction of being one of the most popular and fastest growing gay sites on the net. A lot of the men on this website are just looking for a quick hook-up or a very casual date, but then again, probably so are a lot of the men reading this article. Be prepared for some guys to have R-or X. Rated profile pictures as well. Every once in a while you will find a guy looking for a friendship or more serious relationship on Manhunt. But this site is worth checking out if for no other reason than its immense popularity.

Number One--PlanetOut.com. At the top of my list is this popular internet portal for the gay community. PlanetOut has been around for a long time and has attracted a widespread and diverse user base. I hear that guys from very small towns have particularly good luck with this site. From the quick fling to something a bit more romantic, PlanetOut.com is a great place to start your search for Mr. Right.

Dishonorable Mention--eHarmony.com. It seems like you can't look anywhere these days without seeing an ad for eHarmony.com. The site claims to have some secret formula to help you find true love, but apparently it only works if you're straight. That's right--eHarmony won't let you join their site if you're searching for a member of the same sex. Not too surprising for a company who markets heavily through James Dobson's virulently anti-gay "Focus on the Family'' ministry. Until eHarmony.com decides to step out of the dark ages, do yourself a favor--avoid the eHarmony.com website and encourage your straight friends to do the same.