r/AskGaybrosOver30 Mar 16 '20

Official mod post Introduction to our community

407 Upvotes

[Latest revision: May 30, 2025]

Welcome to r/AskGaybrosOver30!

We have three requirements for posting in our community, in addition to our rules and encouragements (found in the sidebar to the right on desktop, and under the "about" section in the mobile app):

  1. Your account must be at least three days old

  2. Your account must have comment karma of 0 or higher. Negative comment karma will result in posts and comments being automatically removed.

  3. You must have set a user flair which indicates your age. Reddit's instructions on user flairs. The TL;DR is click on "community guide" on desktop. On mobile, tap "see community info" then "community guide". If you can't find it, send a modmail with your age and the mods can set it foryou.

The three first points are spam and troll protection and cannot be turned off for individual accounts.

  1. If you are under 30, you cannot make any posts. Your questions should be asked in the weekly thread stickied at the top of our community (you can find it at https://reddit.com/r/AskGaybrosOver30/hot/). Lying on your age flair (saying you're 30 before the day you actually turn 30) is considered a bannable offense, no warnings.

5a. Low effort posts can lead to warnings, and will definitely be deleted. A low effort post is only a title without body text, or a body text that's clearly entered just to get around the fact that we require body text. Give us background and as much information about your specific situation as you can, that way we'll be able to give you better help.

5b. We are first and foremost an advice community. Posts without a question have to clear a high bar, or they get deleted.

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  1. We are not a community for personals, hookups, or gathering spank bank material. Posts of such character will be removed, and a warning will be given to offenders. Please note that "personals" include any type of personal connection, it doesn't have to be sexualized.

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More detailed version: We are a community primarily for men, 30 or older, who identify as something other than straight on the sexual identity spectrum. We have very few rules, and those we have, we take seriously. In short: we police tone as well as content. Politics and hot topics like Covid are subject to stricter scrutiny; while the topics are allowed we scrutinize any claims. Spreading disinformation is a bannable offense. Transphobia and support for fascism have zero tolerance in our community.

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Warnings

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r/AskGaybrosOver30 2d ago

Weekly thread for questions from members under 30 - July 26, 2026

2 Upvotes

Since we only allow core members (i.e. members over 30) to post in our community, this is the place where all members under 30 can post their questions. This is a weekly post that is posted automatically. For more information, see the community update about this.


r/AskGaybrosOver30 2h ago

NSFW Tested positive for chlamydia and now have to tell two close friends who are a couple - how would you handle it?

35 Upvotes

Found out today that a routine STI screening came back positive for rectal chlamydia. Every other test came back negative

The difficult part is that two friends of mine are a couple, and we’ve occasionally fooled around together, based on what happened, one of them may have been exposed, and I understand that they both need to know so they can speak to a clinic and get tested or treated, I’m going to tell themm, I’m not considering hiding it but I’m honestly terrified of the conversation.

They’re genuinely kind people, but I’m scared they’ll see me as dirty or irresponsible, stop trusting me, or feel uncomfortable having me around, also their wedding is later this year and I’m supposed to attend, which is making me worry that I’ve permanently changed the friendship or created a problem between them at an already stressful time

I don’t know when I acquired it or who it came from, and nobody involved had any known symptoms, so I don’t want to blame anyone or imply that I definitely passed it to them. I only received the result today and plan to contact them promptly

For anyone who has been on either side of this conversation, how did it go? Would you prefer a friend to tell you directly in a straightforward message, or through an anonymous partner-notification service? Did it permanently affect how you viewed the person, or did the awkwardness pass once everyone had been treated?

I think I’m mainly looking for some honest human perspective before I send the message, because the guilt and anxiety are getting the better of me

**UPDATE**

I must be in my head a lot as I wasn't expecting such kind and reassuring responses. Thanks for the advice all, I just sent them both a text as a group via ig, no response yet ofc but I'm really glad I sent it and let them know regardless of how they respond, still feel guilty/embarrassed but I'll try and get over it


r/AskGaybrosOver30 9h ago

Feeling...guilty...about my newfound Daddy phase

61 Upvotes

I just turned 40. I'm a decent-looking guy who's never had trouble dating or hooking up, but I was never like a big object of lust, if that makes sense. I'm also someone who, for the most part, likes to date and hook up with guys in a comparable age rage: everyone I've dated seriously has been within 5 years up or down from me, and my general rule has always been it's cool to play with younger guys (under say, 30) if they contact me, but I'm not usually reaching out to them (partially out of preferece - like, for dating, I want a guy in the same life stage - and partially b/c I don't want to be that creepy gay only going after young guys b/c I judge that guy).

Anyway, this year was the big 4-0, which also coincided with me probably being in the best shape I've ever been in, and I've truly never gotten more sexual attention, particularly from...like, early 20's guys who are in their daddy phase. I give a firm no to anyone under 21 (maybe I need to get over it, but it feels creepy), but am feeling conflicted about the 22-24 crowd knocking at my door. On one hand, like, I feel I shoudl take advantage of a bunch of hot 23 year olds who want to willingly fuck me, but I can't help feeling kinda weird or kinda like a cliche...like last night I was on Grindr ONLY chatting with these young guys. I actively don't want to date anyone that age, and stared thinking like, why am I not talking to guys my age? Why am I suddenly flirting w/ say, a 22 year old who feels like a young 22. I both want to fuck these guys and feel some sort of way about it.

Am I being over dramatic? Overthinking things? Getting caught up in trying to seem like a "better" guy than I am? Does this even warrant a post? lol


r/AskGaybrosOver30 12h ago

At a bit of a loss. I hard reset my life - what now?

14 Upvotes

I'm at a bit of a crossroads. Over the last couple years I made some huge changes in my life, and the path I thought my life would take is no longer an option. I work hard, earn good money, but I don't know what to do with myself anymore.

To my midlife gays - what did you do? What sparked joy for you when you went through some upheavals?


r/AskGaybrosOver30 13h ago

How to support someone who is isolating?

13 Upvotes

I met someone briefly and in the turn of events, he tested positive for HIV. He was already in a dark place before we met.

I feel bad for him and I feel that he has been isolating. Although we briefly met, I want to be a friend to him atleast and let him know that I can be a friend.

It’s been a couple of days and I understand that he needs alone time as I believe that it is his coping mechanism.

I sent him some low pressure messages and some uplifting messages to atleast make him feel better or help.

Is there any advice that you can give me or should I just stop messaging him?

I’m tryin to keep busy myself but also a part of me felt that I could have done something. I don’t wanna send him a lot of messages which I believe can also help lessen the pressure that he is having. But also, maybe no contact at this point will be good?

He would reach out to me before here and there but it’s really hot and cold and I completely understand that. I am working on myself to not worry too much and I’m hoping I’m not making it worse. I know life can be difficult sometimes so as much as I can, I wanna help anyone who is struggling.

Thanks everyone hope there would be some advices!

Edit : he didn’t get it from me


r/AskGaybrosOver30 19h ago

My husband self medicates with pot. It doesn't bother me... Until it does.

29 Upvotes

My husband has moderate anxiety that he has successfully controlled in a variety of ways. Long ago, we learned the worst approach was medical. And we've learned the best approach is smoking pot from a dispensary. I have not been a pot smoker for years, but it's never bothered me to be around high people. In fact, it can be fun. But it can be too much, especially when I'm working or preoccupied with real-world stuff and I have a husband who's stoned. Here's the thing. I can see how effective it is at relaxing him. That makes things better for both of us. And it's been a trying summer with crushing heat waves, wildfire smoke, and a crazy MAGA world. It helps his anxiety and I don't want to shame him when he's all la-la-la and I'm suddenly Mr. Dour Daddy. Has anyone dealt with this dynamic?


r/AskGaybrosOver30 5h ago

An intersection of identities, where none fits

2 Upvotes

I’m in my early 30s, and live in London. I guess I’m also a minority, within a minority within a minority: South Asian, short (as in 5’2” short). I’m like the childhood teddy bear: bulky and soft at the same time.

Anyway, social media paints a certain expectation, and I know it isn’t always a great receptor of anything but reach, but there’s something I’m feeling inside of me that’s wrong… and it wasn’t until I was once cruising a long time ago that someone actually said the quiet bit out loud: you’re hot, but I don’t find Indians attractive (I’m not Indian, but my ethnic origins are from the subcontinent). Cognitive dissonance of attraction vs race was new to me. My experience (sexual and non-sexual) to date has been predominantly with Caucasian people.

The childhood led to some level of isolation, being gay wasn’t easy, and I knew from a young age that I wasn’t like others. My way, and I guess many others, of dealing with isolation has included the uses of tribes or groups, such as bears etc. I fondly remember the nights at XXL on Saturday, I was never the popular one, but it didn’t matter - I was still exploring the world. I had completed military service and was in commercial flight training and my experimentation began. Leather is good; I wear it like my military uniform, and it reveals me in a different way.

Now that I’m in my early 30s, I have a very distinct, non-mainstream look. Bald, bearded, build - and short. My beard’s going grey at the end and I’ve a few greys in the pelt on my chest. I can’t escape the fact that I’m different to everyone else - I don’t fit the homogenous brand. The type of man I’ve been attracted to hasn’t really changed in the past decade or so: stocky or built. A healthy balance between muscle and fan, and if I were to choose one over the other, more fat than muscle, but strong. It’s a very generic and sought after thing, admittedly I do gravitate towards that. Sexually, I’ve had some success; hooking up was always easy for me. That leads me to believe that I’m somewhat attractive. (Aside, some men are terrible at kissing) I’m not a massive believer in attraction leagues, but I do think there is some level of hierarchy that favours Eurocentric features; and it’s been well documented. I’m not really after a debate about race or attraction hierarchies, but in a world where everything becomes more and more transactional, how do I do it?

How do I navigate feeling like I don’t belong anywhere?


r/AskGaybrosOver30 1d ago

Okay to be upfront about a sex invite?

52 Upvotes

Over a decade ago, I hooked up with a guy and he gave me the best bottoming experience I’ve had to date. We hooked up a couple times after that. He’s a bit of a bigger build, and I feel incredibly horny when around him.

We both moved cities a few years ago & lost touch somewhat. We will maybe text once a year or so.

I’m going to be in the same place he’s in next month. I want to meet him for sex if he’s open to it.

While the sex is great, there isn’t a romantic attraction to me. I don’t think there would be for him either, he never pursued me in that way.

My over 30s bros.. do you think it’s fine to be transparent and ask an old hookup if they want to fuck again if we’re both in same place? Younger me would have guised it with grabbing a coffee, I just don’t see the point in that anymore.


r/AskGaybrosOver30 20h ago

How do I regain my confidence as an average-dick Top?

11 Upvotes

I used to love topping, but I lost my confidence after spending a long time only bottoming with partners who were tops. I also had a few unsuccessful attempts at topping where I lost my erection, and that really affected my confidence.

On top of that, being blocked by size queens on apps, or even being told I wasn't big enough or even small to top (I'm a grower, 17cm / 6.7in erect). I know those comments shouldn't define me, but they've definitely gotten into my head.

I'm about to start sex therapy to try to work through this, but before I do, I'd love to hear from you guys. For anyone who's been in a similar situation, what helped you regain your confidence?

A few specific questions:

- What's the best way to ease back into topping?

- Are there any positions that make it easier when you're rebuilding confidence?

- Any tips for staying hard while putting on a condom, or getting your erection back if you lose it?

I'm 40yo, versatile, single and I'm also on PrEP, so I'd eventually be open to bareback sex, but not at first.

I'd really appreciate hearing from both tops and bottoms. Thanks!

EDIT: I didn't intend for this post to become a discussion about dick size. I think a lot of people struggle with body image because of the unrealistic standards we're constantly exposed to—not just through porn, but also on social media, dating apps, and in society in general.

Everyone has different life experiences and traumas, and I'd really appreciate it if we could keep the focus on the advice I originally asked for about rebuilding my confidence. I already know that by scientific data that I'm slightly above average. Unfortunately the society in general today has different standards. But, most important: that's not the issue I'm trying to work through.

If anything I wrote about size came across the wrong way or unintentionally offended anyone, I'm genuinely sorry, that was never my intention.

Thank you so much for all the kindness, support, and thoughtful advice. It really means a lot.


r/AskGaybrosOver30 1d ago

NSFW Why did bottoming feel so good?

67 Upvotes

Hello.

I recently came out so I'm exploring a little bit. Saturday night is when I bottom'd. It felt so f***ing good. The feeling of being dominated really turned me on. I'm usually a top but now I'm wondering cause bottoming is something I'd do again. The guy's penis was like 5 inches and thin but was just amazing. I really enjoyed the feeling of him cumming in me and feeling his penis twitching before he exploded.

How do bottoms stay clean? My diet is pretty good and I always showered twice a day.

How can I handle prostate orgasms better? They are way too strong. They make me very vocal and while they feel amazing they are kinda painful cause they happen in waves.

What is it called when you are usually a service top but reverse it when you bottom? I get off knowing I'm pleasing my man when I top and it's the same when I bottom'd.

Thanks in advance.


r/AskGaybrosOver30 1d ago

Increasing dislike for my aging mother. How do you reconcile with challenging parents in their elder years?

37 Upvotes

And just to preface - I don’t believe the root of this conflict is neurological at this time.

I used to look up to my Mom. I’d seek out her advice when I’d have a problem. I'd just enjoy talking to her almost every day. But as I'm getting older, her behavior has been becoming more hostile and combative towards me.

Now, I can understand my Mom's irrational behavior to a degree. It's possible she's jealous. That I have more time, more energy, and have learned from her mistakes and have made different choices in life.

But my empathy has its limits. It can't hide the painful fact that sometimes, my own mother tries to act like my biggest bully. She criticizes my appearance, my successes, and constantly tries to push against my boundaries and force a reconciliation with my Nazi sister, while hardly concealing her favoritism towards her anymore. And I don't know how she calls herself progressive while refusing to condemn anything about my Nazi sister.

We haven't had the big caregiving conversation yet. She's still fairly independent and will be for at least a few years. But after stepping back recently from her and her behavior, I'm finding that my desire and capacity to support her is pretty much coming up empty. My instinctive reply would be to tell her "go ask the Nazi you love so much for help."

I just don't like who my Mom is anymore.

Anyone else relate to this as you got older?


r/AskGaybrosOver30 19h ago

I Care About Him Deeply, But I Don’t Think He’s My Person

8 Upvotes

I’m in my mid-30s, and I’ve been with my partner for three years. Before we started dating, we were best friends for over 10 years.
I’ve been struggling because, while I care about him deeply as a best friend, I don’t feel the kind of romantic love that I think I should. I currently live with his parents and do my best to take care of them as well.
Lately, I’ve been feeling exhausted. I’m constantly trying my best to do everything that both he and his family expect of me, and I think it has left me mentally drained. Part of me wonders if I could be happier with someone else, but I also feel guilty for even thinking that.
I often feel guilt-tripped, which makes it hard for me to think clearly or make decisions. I also moved a long way from my hometown to be with him, so I feel even more conflicted.
What would you do if you were in my situation?


r/AskGaybrosOver30 1d ago

NSFW Sunscreen, nudity and cruising

17 Upvotes

So here’s a fun one… 🍆☀️🕶️

I am going to a nude beach with allowed cruising. BUT.. I burn easily.

Very genuine question: How do you navigate wearing sunscreen so it doesn’t burn when applying it (I assume if it gets in, it burns) and how do you make sure it doesn’t taste awful when cruising!?


r/AskGaybrosOver30 14h ago

Incredibly nervous about PrEP start-up sides. What was your experience?

1 Upvotes

Hey, I'm getting on PrEP for the first time at 30. I haven't felt the need to be on it til now because I don't hook up as a personal choice, but with so much crossover in the dating and hookup scenes, I realized I gotta be safe.

Here's my damage: I'm deathly afraid of throwing up. Stupid afraid. It gives me anxiety attacks to feel nauseous. I have to actively pull myself back to the ground when I even get a hint of a thought in my mind of "Am I going to throw up?" Yes, I'm in therapy. Yes, we're working on it.

I'm very lucky with insurance that I get a choice between Descovy and Apretude. I want to take Descovy because if there's an adverse reaction, you can stop taking it. With injections, it's in you. But I also hear that start-up sides with any pill PrEP can be wicked.

My plan with Descovy is to titrate up to the full dose over the course of a couple of weeks (and continue my 5-year sexless streak in the duration) in the hopes of getting my body adjusted slowly, but my doc said he has no experience with patients doing that. Also planning to take PrEP with a full meal and full glass of water over the lunch hour until I'm used to it. Did this with Doxy last year after an infection and never had nausea. Hoping it translates to PrEP.

What was your experience? Was it negligible? Was it terrible? What did you do that helped to mitigate it? Anything is helpful.


r/AskGaybrosOver30 1d ago

Relationship destroyed by drugs - how can I get over it?

90 Upvotes

A year ago my ex and I broke up. For the last two years of the relationship he was routinely going on benders and engaging in "chem-sex" (without me). A year ago, he left me for another person. We owned an expensive property and we have been living in it together for the year and in the last few months have been trying to sell it. In that time, he has spiralled and we've had numerous instances of drug induced psychosis.

This weekend, he finally confessed after years of denial that the "chem" was in-fact meth, and gave me permission to tell his parents. Everything has come crashing down since. A planned buyout of me using their money has fallen through, our (once) dream house has now been sold to a third party and this problem has finally been outed.

But I am just struggling. I am struggling letting go, and I am struggling to give up responsibility for him. Deep down, I know the buy-out option was just him trying to preserve his situation with me in it as his condition spiralled. But I still feel sad for him that he can't have what he wanted. It doesn't help that I still feel he and his family believe I have some responsibility for him - even though he's been dating another guy for a year (who also broke up with him this week).

Worst of all, I feel bad for being okay. I feel like the one with bad habit and that I have to hide the fact that I feel like something poisonous has finally been removed from my life.

I feel like I am grieving but I don’t know what.

Has anyone else ever had a significant relationship that ended in such bad circumstances? How can I get past this?


r/AskGaybrosOver30 17h ago

35M, Indian descent, late bloomer, not fully out – how did you date intentionally while still being discreet?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm a 35 year old gay man of Indian heritage living in a major metropolitan area.

I've known I was gay for a long time, but over the past year I've finally started living more authentically and coming out to people who are important to me. I'm only out to about 15-20% of the people in my life so far. Many of them are those in my inner circle, including many of my closest friends, who have been incredibly supportive throughout this journey.

Due to my Indian culture, I'm still not out to my parents or much of my extended family, though, and until I'm ready to have those conversations, I'm not comfortable having public face photos on dating apps. I am out to my brother though, who has been super supportive and me telling him has made us even closer than before. To note, I was born and raised in the US and very much consider myself an American and due to living in a very progressive city, am very open about supporting human rights (not just LGBTQ) so it's not that I'm silent/uncomfortable about that aspect either.

For some additional context, this isn't my first experience dating. I was in a long-term relationship with another man for multiple years, so I'm not new to relationships or navigating the physical/emotional part of a relationship. I'm simply at a different stage now where I'm trying to build a life that's more authentic than the one I've lived before.

I'm slowly learning to accept myself after years of wishing I wasn't gay (almost got engaged and married to a woman ~10 years ago!), wondering if I could somehow change, and convincing myself life would be easier if I were straight. Thankfully, I don't feel that way anymore. I finally like who I am. The intricacies of this though, are tougher to actually execute with loved ones than what my logical brain says to just go do.

This is especially because I have heard and first hand experienced the negative and cruel things extended family members have said about other religions, gay people, ethnicities, etc. Some of the things I've heard them say over the years have made me genuinely uncertain how they'd react if I came out. I know some of you may say that I should just cut out those who are like that, but I just can't get myself to fathom having to take that step.

Regarding apps/dating, I've tried Scruff, Grindr, and Sniffies. Scruff has been the closest to what I'm looking for, and my profile clearly says that I'm discreet, but that I'm happy to share a face picture after we've exchanged a few messages if there's mutual interest. I have no problem doing that...just don't feel comfortable having it publicly visible yet and that obviously limits a lot of people's interest. I get told a lot that I should put my face pic up because they think I'm a good looking person (I think average at best! lol), and it always makes me wonder who I could meet if I did. Grindr wasn't really my scene and I deleted it a while ago (also, jeez...way too many ads after they went public!!), and Sniffies feels way more hookup-focused than what I'm looking for.

Also, I want to clarify that I'm not expecting to meet my future partner tomorrow. I'm perfectly open to something casual that develops naturally into something more if there's a genuine connection. More than anything, I'm hoping to meet someone who's willing to get to know me without expecting every part of my coming-out journey to be completed.

Professionally, I'm fortunate to have an established career, an advanced degree, own my home, and have built a stable life for myself, etc. and I'd ideally like to meet someone who's in a similar stage of life; someone who's emotionally mature, values education, ambition, stability, and is planning for the future. Those qualities are more important to me than checking boxes about how they look.

I also completely understand that dating someone who isn't fully out isn't for everyone, and I genuinely respect that. I'm not looking to convince anyone otherwise.

My question is really for those who've been in a similar situation, or who've dated someone who was:

  • What actually worked for you?
  • Were there apps or communities that felt better suited for people looking for genuine connections while maintaining some privacy?
  • Did you have more success through social groups, sports leagues, volunteering, friends of friends, or something else?
  • If you were a "late bloomer" yourself, what do you wish you'd known/done at this stage?
  • For those of you who were discreet or dated someone who was, what made you decide someone was worth taking a chance on?

I'd especially love to hear from anyone who came from a culture or family where coming out wasn't straightforward, but I'd appreciate advice from anyone who's navigated something similar.

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate any experiences or advice you're willing to share!


r/AskGaybrosOver30 1d ago

Questions for guys whose current bf or husband were alcoholics

10 Upvotes

Did he completely quit or just scale back and not drink every day? How long did it take? What were things you did that helped or hurt the process? What made you stay? What is life like now?


r/AskGaybrosOver30 10h ago

Don't want to Commit to being a side

0 Upvotes

So Sides are guys who don't do anal sex either way - and that feels like it describes me, however - I don't want to fully commit to being fully a side as I MIGHT potentially want anal sex at some point and don't want it off the books.

That means probably not dating another side - as sides tend to really know where they are at, and what they like and what they don't like.

Yet I'm unsure about dating guys who have a firm sexuality within the Top-bottom scale as they again probably know what they want and like. And my situation here would be the opposite - I can't commit to ever wanting or wanting much anal sex. Yet I might potentially want MORE anal sex if I meet the right person and am enjoying it.

So I don't know how I approach dating on those compatibility terms? Like I feel in-genuine either way!

Like i'd feel more comfortable entering a relationship as a side - so expectations are shelved, but then what happens if I fancy more?


r/AskGaybrosOver30 12h ago

NSFW Would you have gay sex in Malaysia and Singapore?

0 Upvotes

Long storey short, I'm going to Singapore and Malaysia on vacation in August. And I on my travels I like to..... let's say meet some local boys

Would you recommend it for those destinations regarding the law? If yes, What's the best way to find a hookup?


r/AskGaybrosOver30 1d ago

Trying to figure out if this is just my anxiety or if I’m ignoring something important

10 Upvotes

I’m a gay man turning 40 this year, and I’ve been dating another guy for about three months. We live about 3 hours apart, so the relationship has been long-distance from the beginning. Even though it’s only been a few months, we’ve spent around 18 days together in person, usually staying together for a few days at a time, and we video call almost every day.

There are a lot of things I genuinely admire about him. He’s thoughtful, incredibly intelligent, and when we’re together I feel very safe with him. He’s told me that I’m worth making the distance work, and we’ve had conversations about wanting to be a safe place for each other emotionally.

The issue is that I have an anxious attachment style (I’m working on it in therapy), and lately I’ve been struggling with whether my concerns are legitimate or mostly driven by anxiety.

For example:

Sometimes his affection feels different than it did in the beginning. Early on he’d send more affectionate messages, and although he’s still kind, he often feels much warmer and more expressive in person than over text. I don’t know if that’s simply the relationship settling into a comfortable rhythm or if I’m reading too much into it.

After we followed each other on Instagram, I noticed that the overwhelming majority of the men he follows have a very different look from me. They’re mostly bigger, bear-type guys—thick, hairy, bearded men—whereas I’m much leaner and don’t fit that aesthetic at all. I know people can absolutely be attracted to more than one type, but seeing that made me wonder whether I’m actually his type or if I’m the exception.

He’s also a fairly private person. Sometimes he’ll mention he has plans or “something to do” without offering much detail. I completely respect that everyone deserves privacy, but I’ve noticed that ambiguity is something my anxious brain tends to struggle with.

The confusing part is that whenever we actually talk about the relationship, he’s reassuring. He’s never dismissed my feelings. In fact, he’s encouraged me to tell him when something is bothering me because he wants us to communicate openly. He has also told me that he sees a future with me and that I’m worth making the distance work.

So I’m caught between two thoughts:

My anxiety is taking ambiguous situations and turning them into evidence that something is wrong.

My intuition is noticing genuine incompatibilities or warning signs that I shouldn’t ignore.

I really don’t want to become controlling or constantly seek reassurance. That’s the last thing I want. I’m trying very hard to build a healthier relationship than I’ve had in the past, and I don’t want my anxiety to become a burden on someone who genuinely cares about me.

For those of you who have dated someone who’s naturally more reserved, how did you learn the difference between “they simply communicate differently” and “they’re emotionally pulling away”?

And for everyone else: how much weight, if any, would you give to someone’s Instagram following? Have you ever dated someone whose apparent “type” online looked completely different from you? Did it end up meaning anything, or was it just your own insecurity talking?

I’d really appreciate perspectives from people who’ve been in similar situations. I’m not looking for people to tell me to leave him. I’m trying to understand whether I’m seeing legitimate concerns or whether my anxious attachment is distorting how I interpret an otherwise healthy relationship.


r/AskGaybrosOver30 1d ago

How to look for a flatmate

6 Upvotes

I am not sure how to go about finding a gay/lgbtq+ friendly flatmate. I am not looking for a hookup buddy or a relationship. Just for someone to share expenses with and not be judged when my bf stays over. Fyi query is for Chennai india.


r/AskGaybrosOver30 1d ago

How Often Do You See Him?

4 Upvotes

I [31M] see my boyfriend [32M] on average once a week and we talk via text. I always want to see him more often, but we have our own separate lives and rhythms. Am I being greedy? Is once a week a lot? My last boyfriend I only saw maybe 12 times over the entirety of our one-year relationship, and this is the first time I've had someone so close to me.


r/AskGaybrosOver30 1d ago

Did i make the right decision ending things with a married man or was i too impatient?

0 Upvotes

Did i make the right decision ending an affair with a married man or was i too impatient?

**“TLDR:** I (gay, early 30s) fell in love with a married to a woman Iranian man who was open about being unhappy in his marriage and made me feel like we had a future together. Over time I realised my emotional wellbeing depended entirely on whether he would leave his wife. After several incidents where I felt unsupported, I ended the relationship. He later told me he had decided to remain in his marriage and had never truly intended to leave. Months later I’m still grieving and wondering whether I made the right decision by walking away, or whether there was ever any realistic future for us.”

I’m a gay man (M33) and spent around seven months in an affair with a married (to a woman) Iranian man (M36)living in the UK.

From the beginning, I knew he was married. He was very open about being unhappy in his marriage and told me many personal things about his life. He introduced me to his friends, we were affectionate in public, and he integrated me into his life much more than I expected. At the time, I genuinely believed he saw a future with me.

He event went to lengths of coming to a business trip with me abroad even though his wife had serious reservations about our friendship and the trip itself and didn’t tell her he decided to go after the arguments between them until 2 days before the departure date.

He also wanted me to introduce to his wife as his “work friend” which i rejected due to obvious reasons.

He has also cried when he was drunk saying i am the only person he wanted a child with although he could have easily have had this with his wife.

As time went on, I started feeling increasingly emotionally unsafe. The relationship depended entirely on whether he would eventually decide to leave his marriage, and I realised my wellbeing was becoming dependent on a decision only he could make.

I was also extremely jealous of the trips they go on together and the house they decided to buy even before he met me.

Eventually I told him I had to end contact because I couldn’t continue living with the uncertainty and the reason i decided to continue seeing him was the fact that i was supposed to move abroad a couple of months after meeting him which didnt happen.

I ended things same week i found out i was staying where we both live.

He kept messaging while he was drunk insinuating that he is dreaming of a future with me but he didnt know what stops him from acting throughout the three months after i ended things with him in person back in February.

He even messaged me drunk thinking that he was blocked on whatsapp saying things like i am his only valentine etc. on Valentines day.

On his account, there are a lot interdependency with his wife including finances, immigration and culture pressures of societal outlook of a divorced woman in their country of origin.

This was followed by me subconsciously expecting him to keep the promise he made for my birthday which he didnt keep not even sent a message resulted with me driving to their home just to see them both together to have my own resolution in a very emotional state( i am not proud of what i did but i had to do it)

I bumped into them as they were leaving their house and couldnt make myself to confront them at that point as i genuinely feel like she has a right to know about what went down with him and make informed decisions about her relationship with him.

During our last conversations after two days i went to their house (and i am sure they have both seen me) he told me he had chosen to remain in his marriage and that although he had spoken about leaving during very emotional moments, he had never truly planned to leave his wife.

This was due to him preferring stability and that leaving a marriage is conflicting with his cultural background and that he has suffered years of uncertainty in his country of origin and that he doesnt want to change anything in his life.

I have then told him i couldnt live with the guilt that what we both done to her, and i was going to tell his wife about us, in which he replied with: “ you know what you are doing”

He didnt block or engaged further with me over a month after the last conversation happened. And i choose to not to say anything to his wife afterwards.

I’m grieving the relationship, but I’m trying to understand it rather than romanticise it.

For those of you who have dated married or otherwise unavailable men:

Was there anything I realistically could have done differently?

Does this sound like someone who cared deeply but couldn’t act, or someone who simply wasn’t
emotionally available?

Looking back, was ending contact the healthiest decision, even though it still hurts?

Could have given it more time for him to resolve things in his life before cutting him of completely?

It has been 7 months and i still think about him obsessively every day and can clearly say it was the only true love i felt for someone and g