I think dating is easier for straight couples. For one thing, if your straight everyone wants to fix you up with someone they know. But gay guys are really at a disadvantage when it comes to language about dating. And language often affects how we see and interpret reality. Think about it. There is no gay equivalent of words like “fiancé” or “engaged” that imply a relationship has progressed to a certain level of seriousness (though still short of lifetime commitment). If you go back 20 years or so, gay men didn’t talk about “dating” at all. Partners were ...

( continued from Tuesday ) Tips For Rebuilding Trust While it may seem insurmountable at times, it is very possible to heal from broken trust and come out on the other side with a positive outcome. You must first decide, however, if you are truly invested in salvaging your relationship with each other and that you’re doing it for the right reasons. If the violation goes against your core beliefs and values, is this really a good partner choice? Staving off being alone and having to start over again is not a good reason to dismiss an inappropriate behavior that opposes ...

( Continued From Yesterday ) "The ending of a relationship, for whatever reason, can be one of the most painful experiences that we can go through." Additional Healing Tips & Strategies: ·Provide a daily structure for yourself to keep grounded. Stay busy, but not too busy that you get distracted from your emotional work. ·Get connected with others. Surround yourself with positive, supportive friends and get engaged with life, no matter how hard it is. Join a grief support group in your area to be with others who can share similar circumstances with you and normalize your grief. ·Find a renewed sense ...

Trust is probably the most important ingredient in fostering a healthy committed relationship and is commonly known to be the glue that cements a couple together. Trust is the endearing faith and confidence that your partner will respect you and not take advantage of or hurt you. It’s a feeling that he is genuine, authentic, dependable, and sincere. This connection allows you to be completely uninhibited and open yourself up to being vulnerable and share your most intimate thoughts and feelings—spots and all! Time and experience with your man has enabled a climate of safety to evolve in your relationship ...

Disagreements aren't necessarily bad.  Couples that never argue are often in pretty boring relationships. Whatever the area of conflict, though, resolving the inevitable disagreements in relationships requires effective communicating.  Communication is a skill, and skills can be developed.  If you are good at verbal interaction with your partner, you may have learned it from watching your family of origin handle disagreements in healthy ways.  If your family didn't handle this sort of thing effectively when you were young, however, you may find that communication is a frustrating or difficult experience for you.  Did you ever watch someone try ...