Is there a gay dating hierarchy? Where do I fit?

Agreed. I just want this feeling with someone. I do hobbies etc just never come across someone I felt this for. And just tried to put myself into as many different environments as possible, or ones with a 'higher chance of success' i.e. somewhere where there are more gay men, but still stuck. Hence on here trying to figure out what is happening.
I am the last person who can give any kind of advice, but I find this thread quite interesting since it gives differents points of view :)
You said that you were helped with your app profile, but is it possibile that your profile improved in terms of how you look instead of what are you communicating to others?
Because I think that if you states clearly what are you up to and what are you into, you can not blame yourself too much, since the "issue" here are the other guys who are not reading and just going for your body ;) Would you like a partner that does not even read what your priorities are?
 
It's gonna be very difficult to find love/romance in oversexualized places like circuit parties or grindr. Maybe try going to a pro gay political event/charity. Join your local lgbt center. If you like sports see if you're city has a gay soccer league or any other sport.

If that doesnt work, maybe try looking inside, it seems like you've bought into the hierarchy thing too much and now are only perhaps looking to date other men who are on the same ''level'' in the hierarchy ? Because if you're only looking for a 10/10 white men in his 20s/30s for romance/long term relationship these type of men are going to be very picky.
 
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I'm in my mid 30's, British, mixed race and fit the typical "gay jock" profile (handsome looking, gym fit / muscled, above average cock etc) with the exception that I'm not white. For a visual: I am a little more 'caramel' in my skin shade, but similar look to Rogan Richards - who I spoke to about this topic and and who said I'm hot (based off my pic), should fuck around and someone will stick. I don't do porn/OF etc, always been focused on my career (which I love) and have progressed well/earn very well so can afford the 'muscle' lifestyle comfortably, and am generally independent (I travel myself, etc). My life has been really good overall so far.

However, I've been single since I've been out for ~10 years now and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what is going on for me. I've not even had a FWB situation or short term dating. It has been rather disappointing to be completely honest. Everyone says I'm a catch and yet I am nowhere near being caught. I have had a tonne of hookups over the years though, almost all have been one off, and in cases where there was something more there was always a problem e.g. he was visiting, he was already taken, too much time lag etc.

I've done all the logical steps: therapy (they have no idea, I've also done all the tests and don't have any medical / mental issues), dating coaches to improve my profile (they are confused because I get a tonne of matches, but no one will physically meet me outside of having sex), attending circuit parties / clubs (I get hit on in the party by several guys, but there isn't much effort beyond that after the party to engage with me, unless they are already coupled), etc but nothing has panned out for me yet. I also stopped hooking up entirely, but didn't land a single date in 6+ months, so basically ended up just getting no action or date lol.

Eventually, my friend said I was better off moving to the US, as people of colour do better there in his experience. I will say when I moved here, the attention I got in parties etc was completely different to my experience in the UK (it is much better in the US), but I feel like now that I'm in my 30s I'm still not attracting the "right" guy (someone single lol). It was also a struggle to connect with the gay community in the UK, making gay friends in the US has been a bit easier, but still nowhere near what I thought it would be like. I still very "outside" the scene I "should" fit into.

I spoke to a few more therapists who said there is unfortunately a gay hierarchy in dating. White at the top, then white passing (e.g. latinos), black, east asian and then south asian. Because of my mix/heritage, I fall towards the bottom of the pile. However, for sex, I am high up in the pile because I'm "exotic" looking. This seems to match my experience as I always get the hookup - with the hottest of the hottest guy on apps etc - but they will never want to know me beyond that - as their fantasy is fulfilled. I think it has more to do with them being unable to "visualise me" in their life (as probably they expect a Drago from Game of Thrones, and I turn out to be a good guy actually) rather than "racism" but I honestly have no idea how to break this perception.

I feel like nothing is 'wrong' with me but perhaps I just am not well-positioned to find someone who will accept me for who I am. I love living in the US, and my career means I can find a high paying job in almost any state. I really want to experience a more intimate connection with someone. I have no racial prejudices as I find hot guys of every race, but naturally in cities where are a lot more white and white adjacent to others so perhaps things get skewed for me. I would say that where things have gone a little further, its always been a white guy, because I reckon the other people of colour are chasing a white guy?

I don't know anymore how to "better" myself for a chance at something more. If I get a better understanding of how things work and where I fit in, I am sure I will be able to navigate this better, but at the moment I'm completely lost.
Sadly yes. But there are exceptions to every rule. The problem is you are hot but maturing and not wanting to have endless hookups. A lot of gay men never reach that point. A lot of gay men will be intimidated by your good looks and body, or instantly assume you are a vain muscle slut and not bother.

I would use Tinder, glam down the profile, keep it to your face. Mention you are over hookups and want a real relationship.
 
This seems to match my experience as I always get the hookup - with the hottest of the hottest guy on apps etc - but they will never want to know me beyond that - as their fantasy is fulfilled.
So they are attracted to you? They just dont want a relationship? And how should they know your character on a hookup app? I am not in one. But I think it is difficult.

A lot of people think that if people talk to them in a club or an app, this is because of their good character. They talk to them because of the first impression and the appearance They dont know their character if they havent talked with the person.

That is the first mistake that you think they choose you because you are a good person. They choose you because of your appearance.

They have a lot of people they can choose from, so you are not the priority. That is my guess. Because it is a hookup app.


I feel like nothing is 'wrong' with me but perhaps I just am not well-positioned to find someone who will accept me for who I am.
These apps are designed for shallow behaviour. That is why you usually find shallow people there. But the internet in general makes the people more shallow. So you have to change the society for that.

The more attractive you are on these apps, they more shallow you usually become. That is why women in youtubevideos and tiktokvideos usually overestimate their worth and look. Because they have a lot of people that write to them.


. I also stopped hooking up entirely, but didn't land a single date in 6+ months, so basically ended up just getting no action or date lol.
That seems to be normal in the US. Most gay people are single according to this post:


I feel like nothing is 'wrong' with me but perhaps I just am not well-positioned to find someone who will accept me for who I am. I love living in the US, and my career means I can find a high paying job in almost any state. I really want to experience a more intimate connection with someone
Congratulation, that you are enjoying the materialistic lifestyle and having more money than people from other countries.

But that also means you are systemically discriminating other nations according to wokeness and inclusion.

If you promote identity politics, you should realize that you are not discriminated overall. You discriminate more people than other people discriminate you.

That is why identity is so important so that you realize your privileges and internalized hate against other nations (also according to wokeness). They earn less because your institutions are discriminating other nations whose people earn less for the same job.

Wokeness does not blame one person for this. It blames everyone. Every American is responsible because it is systemic.

As you described, I am fit, am told I'm handsome looking, and therefore people are generally surprised I am single and never been in anything "more".
That is normal. People dont say to your face that you are not their type. But they usually like you as friend and cheer you up. But you are probably also attractive if your other posts are true.

I almost never get a black or asian guy match with me (I got Tinder Premium for example to see if it was me being biased) or in the rare case they do, I am not attracted to that particular guy (and this is not a general race statement, there are plenty of white and white-passing guys I'm not attracted to either).

What does it matter if you reject people because of their race or because you are not attracted to them?

Rejection is always the same.

If more people are attracted to you than others, you are privileged.


I'm left with the following questions:
a) Am I white-passing/where do I fit in the hierarchy/who should I realistically target? I could PM a pic if helpful.
b) Where do I find guys who are open to more?
c) How do I get actual feedback on what is putting guys off and/or progress things from a hookup to more?

If there is a market for relationship there is also probably an app, too. Grinder is probably only a sex app. I dont know, becaus I am not on this app.

If you are positive you have no hierachical system that is only in negative societies. You see everybody as your in-group. You dont distinguish between races or appearance.

That does not mean you dont see discrimination. That is also a false teaching. If you see everybody as one you see discrimination even better.

This racial hierarchy stuff is racist ideology. That is not antiracism like these people claim. You only think in racial identities if you are a racist.

Divide and conquer existed even in ancient Rome for a reason. It always works. Separate the people into different groups and then rule over them.

I do have hobbies outside of circuit parties etc but never really made connections (beyond platonic friends) through those.
Most people are straight, so that is pretty normal. So as long as there is nothing for gay specifically you are lost. But there is probably a market because some gays also want a relationship. So maybe there will be a solution for that in the future, too. I dont know any.

Often, gay men are attracted to men who are unavailable, but they themselves are not 'healthy' if that makes sense. I'm not dismissing the guys who wanted to date you, they could genuinely also have wanted a relationship and been healthy, but its just food for thought.
That is normal as far as I know. If you have a large pool to choose from, you become picky. They have a lot of sex and therefore think they are attractive. You probably also know the youtubevideo of women that think they are all 10s.

That is because women have more people to choose from (in tinder) and men have to make the first step. So they think they are more attractive then they are. That is the other way around for men. They think they are less attractive because they are rejected more often.

So just by the law of numbers, if say 20% are attractive in general, more white / white-passing people will come through. The reverse is true too. There are plenty of unattractive white guys I reject. So the color of someone itself doesn't qualify them for anything. I would say, I am actually rejected a lot more by black people (even on Tinder premium, I checked to see if I was missing guys by accident, and barely matched with a black person from their side) idk why.

So you choose people based on looks? That is probably also the reason why those people reject you.

Because they (attractive black people) have probably more people they can choose from, so they reject more and can be more picky.

That is how these apps are constructed.


I didn't think there was a hierarchy, I thought you either like someone or you don't. But given my results, I was wondering if there was a hierarchy, and if there was, where I fit, so I could maybe get different results. It wasn't about being superior/inferior, it was about finding a fit, which is what I am struggling with.
Yes the hierachy is that you are more attractive according to your posts and on top of the hierarchy.

If you have no bias against different groups, you dont think in hierarchies. You are attracted to everybody equally nomatter how they look like.

You have a different hierarchy. You also choose based on attractiveness but that is not different.
 
That is the first mistake that you think they choose you because you are a good person. They choose you because of your appearance.
This is 100% truth. Men are visual creatures and most of these these apps that are built for gay men are completely designed for sexual hook-ups. You will doubtlessly find the same true for gay bars.

You have to try benign or specialized apps. Tinder is the one that comes to me.

But if you have an exceptionally handsome face, you are going to again draw people seeking sex. You just have to be clear in the profile “Over hookups. I want a relationship and then sex will follow.” That will clear out all the noncommittal, slutty gays that you are trying to avoid.
 
Masc and built White dude here. Had a mix of partners and i definately agree it's a weird hierachy in the community. Especially london. Most people do tend to date within their own race but some do date out (like myself). I'd say the BS hierachy is as follows

Masc + Built Men = MB
Regular guy = RG

White(MB)
Latino/Arab/Mixed of any Race (MB) sometimes can be a fetish for some
Black (MB) Sometimes can be a fetish for some
Asian (MB) Sometimes can be a fetish for some
White (RG)
Latino/Arab/Mixed of any Race (RG)
Black (RG)
Asian (RG)

Mind you, this "list" is through a very speciifc lens and if you dont interact with the "community standard" then you can probably find someone you vibe with without all this bs applied. It's pretty much how i did, i just happne to be the "type" people apparenbtly want.
 
Actually, there is. You need to stop expecting too much from yourself, and from others, and from dating apps. It can be done...but you need the motivation to do it. Maybe you just haven't hit that rock-bottom place that will give you that motivation yet. Once you are satisfied with yourself and your situation---and can live with it---things start to change in so many aspects of your life, including your love life.

The fact that you are depending on circuit parties and dating apps (and "data") to do most of your work sort of tells me that the people you are meeting are in the same boat as you are. And, are probably struggling as well by expecting to find the answer there. As another poster mentioned, if you're scoring hook-ups, it's not the data that is incorrect. Instead, the people you are meeting may have the right "data"...but not the right personality for what you are looking for. And, maybe you're looking for too much too soon. I'm not decrying dating apps...I know a couple of guys (not many, though) who are in strong relationships that met that way. But, most did not---the met at the gym; at work; via friends; at political activist meetings; in a night class on Shakespeare (of all things); at a concert; doing local theatre. And with almost all of them, they each would never have met via a dating app because their "data" would not have matched up.

But then, maybe that's part of your issue as well...you're concentrating on strictly "gay" venues, thinking the chances are better there. Most of the guys that I've noted above who are in long-term relationships did not meet via strictly gay situations...they met where different sorts of types all converge. Right there, that takes a lot of pressure off of the "need to score". The conversation is less about sex, and more about each other. And the few who did meet at a bar or club, immediately took the relationship out of that realm.

Love isn't a science...it's a feeling of being needed, and of needing a particular someone else with you through days of your life. It's not setting up a "standard" by having the most data matches...it's letting it all take it's own course. Obviously, sex is different from love. You can have both...in their own separate realms. And then, when the feeling is right on both sides, the two realms intersect.

Generally speaking, though, it's not just gay men who have this issue. Straight people have the same problems, as many of my straight single friends will attest to. Maybe it's just the structure of society today where the default mechanism for meeting is an app...which takes the emotional element out of it entirely.
Yep, ditch the strictly gay venues/spaces. Branch out.
 
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Masc and built White dude here. Had a mix of partners and i definately agree it's a weird hierachy in the community. Especially london. Most people do tend to date within their own race but some do date out (like myself). I'd say the BS hierachy is as follows

Masc + Built Men = MB
Regular guy = RG

White(MB)
Latino/Arab/Mixed of any Race (MB) sometimes can be a fetish for some
Black (MB) Sometimes can be a fetish for some
Asian (MB) Sometimes can be a fetish for some
White (RG)
Latino/Arab/Mixed of any Race (RG)
Black (RG)
Asian (RG)

Mind you, this "list" is through a very speciifc lens and if you dont interact with the "community standard" then you can probably find someone you vibe with without all this bs applied. It's pretty much how i did, i just happne to be the "type" people apparenbtly want.
I will add for some, face matters. A busted up face…muscles usually don’t make up for it, at least for me.
 
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I will add for some, face matters. A busted up face…muscles usually don’t make up for it, at least for me.
That too. @Everyone The list pertains to gay spaces mostly and shouldnt be indicative of anything other than the fact that gay men like muscles first and masculinity more than anything. Also, most gay relationships dont last BECAUSE it is built on superficial shit like this. They fuck around until their forties and are lonely and always looking.

There are barely any healthy gay relationships that last that are built on intial attraction. They pop up quickly and last about 6 months to a year if youre lucky. I've been in relationships back to back (also very unhealthy) and it took a while to figure this out. Love starts from within, a cringey as it sounds its true.

I sought validation from other guys and the way i did that was by just getting into a relationships. Fix yourself first before you jump into anything commited. Trust me, it all wears off after 6 month and then youre back to square one. It's why i've stayed single for the last two yearslol.

I'd say get a fuck buddy or buddies first. Dont force a relationship because that comes with a lot if youre not sound and fine to mentally stand on your own imo.
 
I'm in my mid 30's, British, mixed race and fit the typical "gay jock" profile (handsome looking, gym fit / muscled, above average cock etc) with the exception that I'm not white. For a visual: I am a little more 'caramel' in my skin shade, but similar look to Rogan Richards - who I spoke to about this topic and and who said I'm hot (based off my pic), should fuck around and someone will stick. I don't do porn/OF etc, always been focused on my career (which I love) and have progressed well/earn very well so can afford the 'muscle' lifestyle comfortably, and am generally independent (I travel myself, etc). My life has been really good overall so far.

However, I've been single since I've been out for ~10 years now and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what is going on for me. I've not even had a FWB situation or short term dating. It has been rather disappointing to be completely honest. Everyone says I'm a catch and yet I am nowhere near being caught. I have had a tonne of hookups over the years though, almost all have been one off, and in cases where there was something more there was always a problem e.g. he was visiting, he was already taken, too much time lag etc.

I've done all the logical steps: therapy (they have no idea, I've also done all the tests and don't have any medical / mental issues), dating coaches to improve my profile (they are confused because I get a tonne of matches, but no one will physically meet me outside of having sex), attending circuit parties / clubs (I get hit on in the party by several guys, but there isn't much effort beyond that after the party to engage with me, unless they are already coupled), etc but nothing has panned out for me yet. I also stopped hooking up entirely, but didn't land a single date in 6+ months, so basically ended up just getting no action or date lol.

Eventually, my friend said I was better off moving to the US, as people of colour do better there in his experience. I will say when I moved here, the attention I got in parties etc was completely different to my experience in the UK (it is much better in the US), but I feel like now that I'm in my 30s I'm still not attracting the "right" guy (someone single lol). It was also a struggle to connect with the gay community in the UK, making gay friends in the US has been a bit easier, but still nowhere near what I thought it would be like. I still very "outside" the scene I "should" fit into.

I spoke to a few more therapists who said there is unfortunately a gay hierarchy in dating. White at the top, then white passing (e.g. latinos), black, east asian and then south asian. Because of my mix/heritage, I fall towards the bottom of the pile. However, for sex, I am high up in the pile because I'm "exotic" looking. This seems to match my experience as I always get the hookup - with the hottest of the hottest guy on apps etc - but they will never want to know me beyond that - as their fantasy is fulfilled. I think it has more to do with them being unable to "visualise me" in their life (as probably they expect a Drago from Game of Thrones, and I turn out to be a good guy actually) rather than "racism" but I honestly have no idea how to break this perception.

I feel like nothing is 'wrong' with me but perhaps I just am not well-positioned to find someone who will accept me for who I am. I love living in the US, and my career means I can find a high paying job in almost any state. I really want to experience a more intimate connection with someone. I have no racial prejudices as I find hot guys of every race, but naturally in cities where are a lot more white and white adjacent to others so perhaps things get skewed for me. I would say that where things have gone a little further, its always been a white guy, because I reckon the other people of colour are chasing a white guy?

I don't know anymore how to "better" myself for a chance at something more. If I get a better understanding of how things work and where I fit in, I am sure I will be able to navigate this better, but at the moment I'm completely lost.
I’m mixed race: Scottish and East Asian. Yes, gay community racism exists, but so do your own personal preferences (racism), or what you will. I’ve had hundreds, possibly thousands of hookups, but never a relationship until I was in my 40s. The secret: Tinder.

The app allows guys (including you) to be secretly racist without giving offense as you only match with a guy if you both like the look of the other. If being biracial is a dealbreaker for a guy, he can just swipe left and you will never know. If you have particular preference, you can do the same. It was the only way I found a boyfriend (now husband) despite years of trying. I highly recommend it.
 
I’m mixed race: Scottish and East Asian. Yes, gay community racism exists, but so do your own personal preferences (racism), or what you will. I’ve had hundreds, possibly thousands of hookups, but never a relationship until I was in my 40s. The secret: Tinder.

The app allows guys (including you) to be secretly racist without giving offense as you only match with a guy if you both like the look of the other. If being biracial is a dealbreaker for a guy, he can just swipe left and you will never know. If you have particular preference, you can do the same. It was the only way I found a boyfriend (now husband) despite years of trying. I highly recommend it.
I have used Tinder, I always tend to get a lot of matches, the issue is they won't actually date me because 'how' they are matching is also pretty superficial. In my last weeks on there, I remember a married guy matching with me (which I found out because I also saw him on Grindr, and there he wrote married, but on Tinder it was blank) and when I asked why he matched / if he even read my profile he said 'because you look masc and hot'. In another case a guy kept chatting saying he wants to meet me and will travel, but it never happened.

So I'm not really sure Tinder is the secret sauce that will resolve things for me given guys seem to swipe right to me without actually any intent of dating me. I had a similar experience on Scruff where they will reach out, set up a date, and then flake and weeks later go 'oh sorry' (but then I've lost interest because typically there is no excuse either, its just bad behaviour and they assume you will be around to accept that behaviour - no thanks). In the handful of cases where they did explain and had a reasonable reason, I engaged, but they still never met me.
 
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I have used Tinder, I always tend to get a lot of matches, the issue is they won't actually date me because 'how' they are matching is also pretty superficial. In my last weeks on there, I remember a married guy matching with me (which I found out because I also saw him on Grindr, and there he wrote married, but on Tinder it was blank) and when I asked why he matched / if he even read my profile he said 'because you look masc and hot'. In another case a guy kept chatting saying he wants to meet me and will travel, but it never happened.

So I'm not really sure Tinder is the secret sauce that will resolve things for me given guys seem to swipe right to me without actually any intent of dating me. I had a similar experience on Scruff where they will reach out, set up a date, and then flake and weeks later go 'oh sorry' (but then I've lost interest because typically there is no excuse either, its just bad behaviour and they assume you will be around to accept that behaviour - no thanks). In the handful of cases where they did explain and had a reasonable reason, I engaged, but they still never met me.
Dating is difficult and dating as a gay man is extremely difficult. Tinder, like all apps is full of flakes. I’m not suggesting it’s a silver bullet. It is, however, and efficient and relatively painless way of filtering out guys for whom your ethnicity is a dealbreaker, which you suggested was a key factor limiting your dating.
 
-> attractive white guys
-> attractive black guys
-> average white guys
-> Asian and black guys
 
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I’m mixed race: Scottish and East Asian. Yes, gay community racism exists, but so do your own personal preferences (racism), or what you will. I’ve had hundreds, possibly thousands of hookups, but never a relationship until I was in my 40s. The secret: Tinder.

The app allows guys (including you) to be secretly racist without giving offense as you only match with a guy if you both like the look of the other. If being biracial is a dealbreaker for a guy, he can just swipe left and you will never know. If you have particular preference, you can do the same. It was the only way I found a boyfriend (now husband) despite years of trying. I highly recommend it.
But are you American? Visa/ nationaility and/ or generationally? You Yanks are so heritage obsessed man!

Nine times out of 10 ask a Brit of ANY colour or heritage what their nationality s or where they're from any they'll answer "city/ town" in he UK or simpy "the UK" with foreigners. So you have to get very specific if you want to know "heritage".

Ask a yank the same questions and ioyt's like, "I'm Polish, French, Italian but mostly Swiss". Like what the fuckerty? I'm only trying to ascertain of we ever lived close FFS,

I love that about us actually. I think it's indicative of a strong sense of national pride and an inclusive identity for the most part.
 
But are you American? Visa/ nationaility and/ or generationally? You Yanks are so heritage obsessed man!

Nine times out of 10 ask a Brit of ANY colour or heritage what their nationality s or where they're from any they'll answer "city/ town" in he UK or simpy "the UK" with foreigners. So you have to get very specific if you want to know "heritage".

Ask a yank the same questions and ioyt's like, "I'm Polish, French, Italian but mostly Swiss". Like what the fuckerty? I'm only trying to ascertain of we ever lived close FFS,

I love that about us actually. I think it's indicative of a strong sense of national pride and an inclusive identity for the most part.
Born in the UK so I'm British. I have a Green Card though. I've only been to the east for a holiday when I was a teen lol.
 
-> attractive white guys
-> attractive black guys
-> average white guys
-> Asian and black guys
Generally. But we all have our fetishes and preferences.

I won’t lie, hot, muscular Asian men (cut) are my #1. That said, a multitude of factors enter in and few things are exclusive. I tend to be drawn to a certain facial structure, eye and hair color and really nice skin. Superficial? You bet. But I won’t lie about it. I am open to more, but settle for what the community generally offers (or will offer me).
 
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Generally. But we all have our fetishes and preferences.

I won’t lie, hot, muscular Asian men (cut) are my #1. That said, a multitude of factors enter in and few things are exclusive. I tend to be drawn to a certain facial structure, eye and hair color and really nice skin. Superficial? You bet. But I won’t lie about it. I am open to more, but settle for what the community generally offers (or will offer me).
Sure was just stating the kind of SMV hierarchy data from dating/hookup apps portrays.
Cut Asians (SKoreans) prettyboys had quite a rise in general SMV thanks to KPOP but that’s mostly limited to millenials and younger.
 
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So if somebody asked where ur from you’d naturally say …
Tbh if someone asks where I'm from (which rarely happens since my accent is pretty clear) and I reply the UK they usually comment 'yeah I thought your accent was from there' and thats all that is asked. This is in person ofc. On apps, I am almost never asked my race.
 
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Sure was just stating the kind of SMV hierarchy data from dating/hookup apps portrays.
Cut Asians (SKoreans) prettyboys had quite a rise in general SMV thanks to KPOP but that’s mostly limited to millenials and younger.
True, true. I am sure your hierarchy is fairly accurate based on the photos I see on Instagram.
 
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