Sports & Activities
The Big Gay Wilderness
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Mike Boisvert
Are your outings meant for people to meet each other, perhaps romantically?
Absolutely, especially if you have a strong connection to outdoor adventure. It's difficult to meet such people online, in a bar, or through a classified ad. I met Jon, my partner, through the profiles in GayOutdoors more than five years ago, and we have a loving, healthy relationship. I've had other people e-mail me who have told me our profiles worked for them too. Participating in an outing is a great way to meet people, and our profiles re another means—especially for folks who have no activities in their area.
The assumption for a lot of people is that gay folk are more into the urban lifestyle. But your site proves there are many gay outdoor enthusiasts. Would you say there's a high percentage of "closeted" outdoor enthusiasts in the community?
The answer depends on how you define "outdoor enthusiast." Some folks would say they're outdoor enthusiasts because they like to go to the beach or enjoy nude swimming and sunbathing. Under that definition, yes, there are many gay outdoor enthusiasts. If you further define this by saying "active" outdoor enthusiasts, then the number would be smaller.
Is there something particular that draws your members to the outdoors?
Whether you're gay or straight, the reasons are the same. We live in a busy world where we seem always to be rushing from one place to next—trying to meet deadlines, listening to the noise pollution of planes flying overhead and cars whizzing by, surrounded by a world of steel and glass. I feel our members want to escape from all this and a jaunt to the forest, river, beach, desert or mountains, where the air is fresh, and we see landscapes and seas stretching out for miles, and enjoy wildlife in their habitat—it's the simplicity of it all. We come back home refreshed, renewed, and ready to start working again on Monday morning.
The assumption for a lot of people is that gay folk are more into the urban lifestyle. But your site proves there are many gay outdoor enthusiasts. Would you say there's a high percentage of "closeted" outdoor enthusiasts in the community?
The answer depends on how you define "outdoor enthusiast." Some folks would say they're outdoor enthusiasts because they like to go to the beach or enjoy nude swimming and sunbathing. Under that definition, yes, there are many gay outdoor enthusiasts. If you further define this by saying "active" outdoor enthusiasts, then the number would be smaller.
Is there something particular that draws your members to the outdoors?
Whether you're gay or straight, the reasons are the same. We live in a busy world where we seem always to be rushing from one place to next—trying to meet deadlines, listening to the noise pollution of planes flying overhead and cars whizzing by, surrounded by a world of steel and glass. I feel our members want to escape from all this and a jaunt to the forest, river, beach, desert or mountains, where the air is fresh, and we see landscapes and seas stretching out for miles, and enjoy wildlife in their habitat—it's the simplicity of it all. We come back home refreshed, renewed, and ready to start working again on Monday morning.
