You are a gay men who has been single far too long. You are good looking and smart, have a great set of friends, and take care of yourself. A “real catch” you tell your buds. But something deep inside is telling you that the way you have been going about finding a man isn’t working.
As you check yourself in the mirror before getting ready to hit the bars again, you think to yourself,
“There has got to be a better way than the gay bars! I keep going week after week and no luck. Will it happen tonight? Oh crap, is that a pimple?”
Seriously, being a gay men and trying to find someone to date seriously is a real chore. There are tons of hurdles to overcome that can at times make it feel like the deck is stacked against us. One major barrier can be figuring out where to meet someone. While bars can be a fun place to hang out with our friends, they are not always conducive for romantic connections. And let's face it - as time goes on, the inability to meet a quality person can take its toll on our level of confidence.

After speaking with a number of formerly single gay men who are now happily partnered, Gay Muscle and Love is now ready to reveal seven places to find your next Gay boyfriend that are not a gay bar.

Scotland has been rated the best country in Europe for gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality and human rights for the second year running.

Scotland continues to be ahead of the rest of the UK and all other European countries in the legal protections offered to LGBTI people, according to an annual review of LGBTI equality and human rights laws and government policies.

The Rainbow Europe Index 2016 measures progress in 49 European countries on LGBTI equality against a 52-point criteria that includes legal protections from discrimination in employment and services, measures to tackle hate crime, rights and recognition for transgender, non-binary and intersex people, and equality in family law including same-sex marriage and parenting rights.

Dietary guidelines differ between man and women with regard to energy needs, total calorie intake, and amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals they need. With so many differences, it only makes sense that nutrient sources and consumption recommendations would also differ.
According to the USDA, men should consume between 2,400 and 3,000 calories per day, depending on age, height, weight, and physical activity level. You can enter your personal info into this daily food plan calculator to find out how many calories you need each day, based on USDA guidelines.
When it comes to vitamins and minerals, some recommended daily allowances differ between men and women as well. This chart from the Institute of Medicine shows recommended allowances as well as upper limits for 24 nutrients.

You can also take it a step further and consider bio-individuality - the concept that we are all individuals, and no one diet works for everyone all the time. In Ayurvedic medicine, this individual constitution or mind-body type is called a dosha. You can determine your type by taking the dosha quiz.

Belgium as a vacation destination:
A sophisticated jewel of culture and beauty, Belgium is a fascinating and exhilarating discovery for all travelers.
In the capital of Brussels, you’ll visit world-class museums, view stunning architecture, shop at some of the most stylish boutiques in Europe, and sample international cuisine that will delight the most seasoned epicure. As you explore the countryside, you’ll discover picturesque farming villages and lush forests. And the stately cities of Bruges and Ghent will enchant you with canals and cobblestone alleyways seemingly out of a medieval fantasy.

Gay Lifestyle: Belgium as a vacation destination for gay, lesbian and LGBT vacationers:

Belgium has been offering full civil marriage rights to gay couples since 2003. We are the second country in the world to eliminate all references to gender in the marriage laws; an estimated 5,000 ceremonies have been held since. In order to contract marriage in Belgium, one of the parties must reside in the country.

Are you a gay men who dreams about other guys, even though you have a boyfriend? Do you feel bad about these dreams because you’re in a committed relationship? Have some of the dreams been so vivid that you have to remind yourself that none of it really happened?
If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you wouldn’t be alone. Having dreams about cheating happens to be one of the most commonly reported types of dreams that a person can have.

But because the word “cheating” carries all sorts of negative connotations, these types of fantasies are often not discussed and therefore widely misunderstood.

No one loves seeing the doctor. This checklist will make sure you cover everything in one visit.

It can be tough to know what to ask your doctor during a routine checkup, particularly if you're a gay men.

"Gay men don't necessarily experience most health issues in any way that's significantly different than other folks," Dr. Ng said. "But for gay men, engaging with a health care system can be uncomfortable and even daunting."

Having this gay men's health checklist in hand should help you overcome some of those worries. An annual checkup is an important way to take stock of your health and make any important changes in your lifestyle (diet and exercise modifications, perhaps, but also stopping any alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use), to protect your health and well-being. Print out the checklist below and bring it to your next appointment.

Naturally, we all prefer to snooze a certain way when it comes to a sleeping position. After a grueling day at the office, combined with all of the daily stresses that can wreak havoc on our lives, there is nothing we love more sometimes than to curl up in our beds for a good night’s sleep.

“Sleep is an essential part of good health,” says Tessa Prior-Pullins, one of the lead dietitians for BistroMD. “A minimum of 6-8 hours is ideal, but most people don't realize that the position you sleep in during that time can have just as much of an impact on your health.”

With input from our expert, Tessa, we reveal some of the “perks” to sleeping in certain positions, and what it can actually mean for your health.

Listed below are the best sleep positions for better men health - plus some positions you may want to try and avoid when snoozing during the night.

More than two decades ago, Mary Robinson signed a law decriminalising homosexuality. Life for gay men in Ireland has changed hugely since then, but has it changed enough?

When University College Cork refused to recognise its students’ first Gay Soc, in the late 1970s, the group’s members responded by building a raft with a triangular pink sail and taking part in the annual boat race through the city as part of the university’s rag week.

At the Labour Party conference at Connolly Hall in Cork, in 1980, Mary Robinson, who was then a senator, advised a group of men from the city’s Gay Collective to join political parties, join trade unions and lobby for change from within established structures.

Japanese - 'The nail that sticks out gets hammered down'.

Students face daily verbal and physical bullying merely for being different in Japanese high schools.

A new report from the Human Rights Watch (HRW) identifies ongoing problems in schools around Japan – despite government attempts to improve the situation since its first report in 2001.

Students report being told they’re ‘disgusting’ and ‘shouldn’t have been born’ by other students.

Low Testosterone and Age in Men

When we think of declining levels of testosterone in men, we normally think of middle-aged or older men. However, according to an Australian study reported at the 2011 Annual Endocrine Society Meeting, old age alone doesn’t cause testosterone levels to decline. Instead, a man’s changing health and lifestyle habits can cause his testosterone levels to decrease as he ages, according to another study. Things like smoking, obesity, depression, and even medications can affect hormone levels.
Younger men, on the other hand, are usually thought to be at the peak of their testosterone production. According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone peaks during adolescence and early adulthood, and then declines by about 1 percent per year after age 30.

Sometimes, though, symptoms develop that lead men to make assumptions about their sex hormones. Men under the age of 30 may suffer from erectile dysfunction or other symptoms that seem to be related to hormones. They may wonder if their testosterone levels are where they’re supposed to be. Is it possible to be young and have low testosterone?

Gay Brazil

Brazil is the biggest nation in South America as well as fifth largest on earth. Known for its football (soccer) heritage and its yearly Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife and Olinda. It's a country of wonderful diversity, from the active metropolitan of São Paulo to the endless cultural energy of Pernambuco and Bahia, the wilderness of the Amazon rainforest and world class attractions like Iguaçu Falls, there is loads to see and to do in Brazil.

Best place travel in Brazil

Gay Dating: If you're looking for love gay, these tips will get you headed in the right direction.

Bette Davis used to say, "Getting older ain't for sissies."

Amen! Neither is dating at midlife - especially if you're a gay men.

Whether you're single again after the end of a long-term relationship or you've been around the block a few times still on the hunt for Mr. Right, gay dating isn't easy.

But don't let that be your excuse for sitting home on saturday night watching reruns of The Golden girls.

These strategies can help you develop your inner explorer to make dating after 50 a little less daunting: 

1. Embrace your new reality

For every 20-something entering the gay dating scene full of wide-eyed wonder, there's a 50-something (or a 60-, 70- or older-something) men back on the market after a relationship ends. One is learning the rules; the other has "been there, dated that" and wonders, "Now what?" It's daunting to consider starting over.

The truth is that you've earned your age. You really can own it. Focus on what you've gained - rich experiences, accomplishments, survivor skills and wisdom. Your next romantic partner will benefit from all of that, and from your passions for the life that's in front of you.

Give up wishing you could turn back time. Give up trying to be perfect, too, especially if that's a code word for "young." Yes, it's important to take care of your body and your health, but no need to obsess. Instead of trying to be 25 again, get comfortable in your skin. Feel good about your body. That way, when someone touches you, they'll really feel you, and not a bundle of self-critical tension. Think more about keeping a sparkle in your eyes and less on fighting the fine lines around them.

2. Confront your fears

You're never too old to find love, but that's not a message gay men hear very often. Why? After years of "working on ourselves" and fighting social prejudice to gain self-esteem, many of us struggle to keep it. The hurdle this time? The gay community's - OK, let's get real, mostly the gay male community's - ageism.

"Within the gay community, negative stereotypes reinforce the belief that gay relationships are based solely on physical attraction, and that once youth starts to fade, we are unlikely to have any real or lasting relationships," says Rik Isensee, author of Are you ready? The Gay Man's Guide to Thriving at Midlife.

Contrary to popular belief, gay men 50s and over aren’t put out to pasture at the Rainbow Ranch!

I’m only 31 days into my 50s. In fact, I’m only fourteen years into my out gay life. However, I’m 50 years into my spiritual gay self and that’s given me the insight that I’m rocking it as a gay man...and not just between the sheets.

Being candidly honest, as I approached 50s, I had a pre-50s, present-50, and post-50 meltdown of sorts. Okay, it was a full-blown, “OMG” moment. I had never had a problem with any milestone birthdays. Loved my 20s, found myself in my 30s, and rebirthed myself in my 40s. All was good in the luminescent world of “Look at me, I’m gay and happy!” Slam on the brakes! How do you do this past 50? Simple. You just do!

Once I got past my funk, 21 days, seven hours, thirteen minutes and 45 seconds ago, I rallied and started realizing, “50’s got nothing on me baby!” I’ve just started to bloom. I grabbed my AARP application, filled it out, and can’t wait to get my free tote bag filled with loads of goodies to make my next 40 years a kick in the pants. Of course, I opted for the rainbow version of the tote bag.

USA - With their champion, Sen. Ted Cruz, now out of the presidential race, groups opposing abortion and same-sex marriage say they’ll bide their time and warily assess Donald Trump before deciding whether to back him as the Republican nominee.

During months of campaigning, Trump has made some statements about abortion and gay rights that pleased social conservatives and others that unsettled them. That inconsistency, coupled with various liberal-leaning comments he made in past years, has deprived Trump of an enthusiastic embrace by the social conservative camp.

Now, with Trump the presumptive GOP nominee, there are recalculations being made by activist leaders who had backed Cruz, such as Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council.

Emerging adulthood is a complex time for anyone. It ranges from late adolescence to one’s mid-20s—ages when we are seeking to establish our identities in social contexts and transition from childhood to the expectations and responsibilities of adulthood.
For young adults in sexual minorities, this age of transition can be especially fraught. Physical, emotional, cognitive and social development are coupled with the process of coming out and negotiating a sexual identity in a society that is still homophobic. Researchers consistently observe poor physical and mental health outcomes among gay and lesbian young adults, and these outcomes can be further exacerbated by both racism and poverty.

My own research on young men who have sex with men has found that they are not accessing basic primary care that can keep them healthy.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words; now picture yourself, approaching a woman, a gay men or a prospective client, walking into a board meeting or a party. How do you look? What message do you communicate the moment you walk into a room? What are your eyes, hands and shoulders saying? What information can people gather about you before you ever say a word? Never thought about it? You should. And you can start by perusing our top 10 tips to show confidence with body language.

People read your body language, often via instinct and without thinking. It’s because our poses and postures are a great source of information. They reflect our mood and our confidence level.

Sweden is one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world. During the glorious annual Stockholm Pride week, people celebrate and party on the streets. What is it like to be gay in Sweden the other 51 weeks of the year?

No room for discrimination in Sweden

The Stockholm Pride parade usually attracts around 45,000 participants and 400,000 spectators, one of several signs that LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) people are a welcomed part of Swedish society.

The LGBTQ community is obviously not one homogenous group, and while some are happy and content, others are perhaps less so. Still, laws and regulations have a big impact on everyday life, and over the last decades Sweden has taken important steps to ensure that LGBTQ people enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

Most recently, gender-neutral wedding laws (2009), adoption rights for gay and lesbian couples (2003), insemination rights for lesbians (2005), and a prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation added to the Swedish constitution (2011) are some of the laws that have been passed.

I never sought out to have friends with such perfect bodies. Quite the contrary actually. As an FFK (Former Fat Kid) I’ve always identified as a fat person. But for some reason when I grew up all my friends became hot skinny people. This could be for many reasons. Maybe it’s because I am a terrible, superficial person. Maybe it’s because I live in a city and people who live in cities get skinny from running all over the place and going on trendy diets. Perhaps it’s because of my educational background at Ivy League schools, where everyone was obsessive compulsive about everything, from their grades to their caloric intake. I have no idea why everyone around me is so skinny. Sometimes I resent it because I tend to be the chunkiest person around and I’m not even fat. Sometimes I appreciate it because it inspires me to keep in shape and think of kale as an acceptable meal replacement. All of this will lead to me living a longer, healthier life, aside from the mental anguish that comes with not having perfect abs.

For full disclosure, this is approximately what my body looks like right now:

Dating can be hard enough at times, but the situation can be made that much more challenging for those single gay man who represent the age 40 and up crowd. In a society where youth and beauty are highly valued, many middle-aged men report feeling segregated and unappreciated in dating pools, making it difficult to meet and sustain relationships with potential dating prospects. The problem can seem even more compounded in the gay community in which the emphasis on youth and brawn is amplified, causing many mature gay men to feel undesirable and like outsiders within gay circles. They feel unwanted and that their age hinders them and limits the pool of men available to them for dating, particularly when they report being rejected by man in their own cohort for younger guys. Ageism, or discrimination against someone because of his age, plagues many different layers of our culture—and it also can and does rear its ugly head in the gay dating world. 

This “over-the-hill” mentality is very damaging, robbing us of the opportunity to really experience life, take risks toward goals, and make the most of what we have (if we let it!). This case is illustrated in the comment of a former 29-year old client: “I turn 30 later this year and then I officially am old! I’ll never have a boyfriend now! I feel like my life is over and it’s all downhill from here on out!”

Gay Travel Toronto - Canada

Ranked right up there with San Francisco and New York as a vibrant and openly gay city, travelers will certainly find something to do in the eccentric gay city of Toronto. The gay and lesbian population alone hovers somewhere around 250,000 people.

There are two very distinct neighborhoods where Toronto’s LGBT community thrives, the East Village, known as "Queer East", is located in Toronto’s east end and home to tons of LGBTQ-friendly bars, restaurants, parks, and beaches. The West Village, "Queer West", is a charming gaybourhood with trendy art galleries, shops, and restaurants.

Toronto is more than just a boy’s town, lesbians flock to the city as well given its diverse offerings for women. This Canadian city is also a hot spot for gay and lesbian weddings; it’s easy to get a marriage license here.

Although most won't admit it, men love to be in love. In fact, many men need to be in a relationship more than women do. This is because a good relationship is settling for a man, a place where he can share feelings that he might not be able to talk about with anyone else. In our society, women are permitted to have close, bonded relationships with their girlfriends or gay friends. They talk to each other openly, and turn to one another for support easily, but men don't. Believe it or not, for many guys their love relationship is the one place where they can allow themselves to be truly intimate.

As a therapist in New York City, Dr. Brenda Shoshanna've counseled many men in relationships who agree. And after interviewing men to write my first two books, Why Men Leaveand What He Can't Tell You... and Needs to Say, six reasons emerged that explain what they really like about relationships. Check them out here. You might be surprised by what these guys say!

In any long-term relationship, things can happen that result in a breakdown in trust. In some relationships this happens more than others. However, it’s likely that almost every relationship will run into the challenge of a loss of trust at some point.
When confronted with the breakdown of trust, there are some steps you can take to restore trust with your partner.

Steps you can take to restore trust

Chinese - A judge in the central city of Changsharuled Wednesday against a gay couple in China's first same-sex marriage case.
Sun Wenlin, 27, brought the case against his local civil affairs bureau because it refused to grant a marriage license last summer to him and his partner, Hu Mingliang, 37.
"I had hope before the trial started, but when I saw the official from Civil Affairs Ministry look at the judge, I knew that the result had been decided in advance," Sun told USA TODAY after the court hearing.

Hundreds cheered for the couple outside as they entered the court. Authorities allowed about 100 people to go inside.

We get it. Straight women love gay men. And gay men love straight women.
The “fag hag” has long been an established part of gay life. There have been entire sitcoms and romcoms devoted to the subject. We all know the set-up: the fabulous glamorous woman on the arm of a gay man who loves and adores all her best and worst qualities, and offers her insights into the male mind that her female friends can't provide.
It’s not rocket science. Gays love girls as they probably identified with them more growing up, and girls love gays for their honesty and humour. 

I’ve lost count of the number of fag hags I’ve accumulated over the years; they love me for the reasons outlined above, and I love them (and their shoes) equally.