How to make a gay friend

But if you’re looking for friend connections, you can often find them there as well. Volunteer with an LGBTQ organization 

Volunteering with an LGBTQ organization not only allows you to give back but also opens doors to new friendships.

6.

Here are some strategies and options for finding, and connecting with, your people.

(Before we go though, consider Step Zero: Make a safety plan. It could be as festive as “Beach Party” or as serious as a reading group about dismantling white supremacy, depending on how you like to spend your time.

Know that it might take a few invitations for people you don’t know well to be convinced that it’s really OK to accept your hospitality.

In recovery? Around Pride there are always plenty of fun parties and events to join, from small local gatherings to massive parades. Shared acquaintances often lead to instant connections, and you might quickly find yourself forming a tight-knit circle of friends through these mutual connections.

7. Additionally, avoid fetishizing or objectifying LGBTQ+ individuals, as this can be disrespectful and offensive.

Just say it: tell everyone you want to make more LGBT2Q friends.

There’s a concept in sociology called “weak ties”: people you’re friendly with, maybe mutuals with, but you’re not really friends. And please don’t start smoking just to make new friends.)

4. Remember that everyone's journey is different, and it's not your place to judge or invalidate someone else's experience.

The most important thing when it comes to making new LGBTQ+ friends is to be authentic and eager to learn from other people’s experiences and world views.

Obviously you should avoid asking anything as clumsy as “so are you a boy or a girl then?” But if you do feel you’ve made a mistake or said the wrong thing, just apologize and move on.