GAYTWOGETHER

Gay Relationships: Dating & Commitment

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 divided into one of two discrete camps: tricks or lovers.

Perhaps as a result of this language shortage, it’s sometimes hard for dating couples to understand exactly where they are in the journey of exploration and commitment. That makes many of us too quick to presume there is more of a commitment than is warranted. Dating can be divided into three stages: prospecting, mutual discovery and exploring commitment. Each stage has it’s own tasks, joys and challenges.

"Love Is Never Wrong" - Picturing Guys Twogether

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"Love Is Never Wrong"

Gay News Headlines - Gay Rights, Marriage, Relationships

 

 

Gay Relationships: Yes, It's Possible! Restoring Your Trust In The Man You Love - Part Two

( 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 who you are and what you stand for. Make sure your motives are in the right place and that you each share a genuine common vision of rising above and conquering this challenge because your relationship is worth it.

Here are some tips for those couples who are invested in that process. These recommendations can help promote the chances for a progression through the hurdles of repairing trust to a new life of possibility as lifelong partners:

"Love Is Never Wrong" - Picturing Guys Twogether

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"Love Is Never Wrong"

Gay Relationships: Breakups - When The Rainbow Ends

"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 of purpose and passion. Join an organization or a cause you care about, take a class, cultivate a new hobby, get involved! Bring healthy pleasure into your life.

·Learn to be comfortable being alone. Do some self-soothing and nurturing activities. Find value in self-renewal.

·Take this opportunity to learn more about yourself. Work with a life coach to help you learn about healthy relationships and crafting a new vision for your future. Recognize patterns in your relationships and identify areas where you can improve your relationship skills.

"Love Is Never Wrong" - Picturing Guys Twogether

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Picturing Guys Twogether - Gallery
"Love Is Never Wrong"

Gay News Headlines: Rights, Relationships, Bullying

 

Gay Relationships - Restoring Your Trust: When The Man You Fall In Love With Betrays You - Part One

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 because you’ve both consistently demonstrated honor and strength of character in your actions toward each other and those around you.

While trust takes time to develop and is a hallmark of a successful relationship, it can very quickly be damaged if not nurtured and cause severe consequences for the future of the partnership afflicted by an indiscretion. Once trust has been compromised, it can be very difficult to repair, and in some cases that damage can be irreversible. This article will offer some tips for those couples invested in bridging the gap and attempting to restore the impaired trust in their relationships.

"Love Is Never Wrong" - Picturing Guys Twogether

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Picturing Guys Twogether - Gallery
"Love Is Never Wrong"