Good evening, Readers. I am pleased to say I have survived 68 days in NYC thus far. Though I moved here for the countless opportunities in writing, I can’t help but gawk over the gorgeous men who grace every corner street — in Manhattan, in Brooklyn, in Queens. You name it.
The first couple of months, I re-downloaded my dating apps (for the twenty-second time), in hopes that since I’m in a larger city, men would just fall into my lap. But that wasn’t the case, and honestly, should I have ever assumed such an entitled air to begin with?
New Yorkers, I have found, are a different breed, in that they do not solely depend on dating apps in the way I’m used to. In Arkansas, though, the pickings are slim, so dating apps are sometimes the only resort we horny gay men may turn to. In New York, the men want you to work for it. Don’t simply download a few thirsty pictures on Grindr, with captions like, “Top for Bottom”, or “Horny Looking for Now”, expecting them to come to you. Nope. If you want a chance, go outside and TALK TO THEM. It’s such a basic concept, but in the age of Covid and technology, we’ve shifted away from this idea, opting for a no-contact option. One can’t blame us. I mean, Covid is terrible. But now that things are opening up, we gay men need to try harder.
I’ve been challenged to step my game up, and it’s a good thing. I’m actually making the effort to go out so that, on the off-chance, I might run into someone with whom I may have a conversation. If we decide to just be friends, that’s fine. I don’t see it as wasted time because I was at least able to meet someone who shares the same experiences of living in the city as I do, and there’s value in that. Because even though we live on an island of eight million people, it can still feel lonely as a transplant, so to meet someone who can suggest ways to cope with, say, the constantly changing subway schedule, I’ll take it.
I’ve also been challenged to step my game up because men here actually love themselves, and they know they deserve to be someone else’s #1. Men here are beautiful, on the inside AND the outside. Of course, there are those who are a little high on their horse, but the ones who sport real, unadulterated confidence make it all the more fascinating.
I want to be clear, though. I am not going out every night, seeking out a man at any cost. I’m living my life, and if, during my adventures, I happen to come across someone who enjoys my conversation, all the better. My entire life does not revolve around finding the perfect man. On the contrary, it revolves around my happiness, and one day, a man will find his way into the same orbit. Until then, I’m going to get to know NYC in the best way I know how — through the pursuit of life, liberty, and (mind-blowing) sex.
Until next time, Dear Readers. Kisses.
