Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION The Anywhere Machine Gay speed dating

Hi guys!

Can I ask your opinions about something?

I need to write a piece about gay speed dating for work. Now, I was wondering what to say about it! The feeling seems to be that gay speed dating is different to straight speed dating because the guys who go to gay speed dating are (on the whole) looking for a relationship - because as a gay you can pretty much get a shag whenever you want one. (Thanks to saunas, gaydar etc.)

By contrast, the consensus seems to be that with straight speed dating while there is the relationship angle a lot of people go for the chance to get casual sex. (At least that's what a straight girl at work who goes speed dating told me).

Now!

1) Do you agree with this? Is it a fair assessment?

2) If it is true does that make the guys who go to gay speed dating more "tragic" than their straight counterparts?

Im asking because the piece needs to be quite un and upbeat. I went to a gay speed dating thing last night and at the end I asked a couple of the guys and they were like "not being able to get a proper relationship is a bad part of being gay" and this other bloke went "the bottom line is that anyone who goes to these events must be very lonely."

Yikes! That ain't upbeat! How can I turn this around fellas?!

Thanks for your help in advance! It's most appreciated!

Well, it sounds like your journalistic integrity is at odds with the editorial mandate of an "upbeat" article. Without putting an upbeat spin on what you've experienced and heard which might be a little dishonest, I would suggest the "upbeat" come from you -- you can present the same facts and findings but the attitude with which you convey it can keep it a tad lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek or sardonic - humor can come from the sharing of a common bad experience if any of your readers have had the experience. Think of how many stand-up comics deal with traumatic things and can find a way to be honest and funny at the same time about something that was bad. Either that or do more research until you meet people who've had positive experiences to balance it out.

You could start by including a few quick-hit opinions from folks who think that the process is depressing or only for "lonely" guys, but end the piece with a longer vignette providing the opposite (and therefore upbeat) perspective -- the story of someone who had a very positive experience through speed-dating, and who found happiness and a lasting relationship.

Cheers! I don't have that sort of time though, the copy has to be in on Monday and it's based on what happened on the night, it's supposed to be a "first person" piece. Which is the problem. The editor originally wanted me to make fun of the people at the event, but everyone was quite nice, and he also wants it quite "up". Thing is though I actually felt a bit bad for most of the people there - coz some of them were clearly lonely and others thought they'd meet their ideal man to have a long term relationship with for £27 and 2 hours chatting.

I'm in a quandry!

Speed-dating is the only way to go! Us hip modern homosexuals can't waste our time with some guy who snores like an exploding freight train or some jerk who thinks animation is "for kids". NEXT, please! (that might make a nice title for your article!!)

Have you really been?

I was speed-dating back when it was called "whoring around"!

No, I've never been to anything official or organized.

Tut! A false lead!

Sorry!

Comet, you have the most interesting job.

Maybe you could make the piece sarcastically upbeat.

I've gone to one of those gay speed dating things here in West Hollywood. My friend and I heard about it, and figured why not? Unfortunately, didn't meet anyone worth talking to twice. Now that's not to say I didn't get any action out of it. Feel free to e-mail me and I'll answer whatever questions you have