What life do I have as a single, gay young intern staying in the Loop? (Chicago: theatre, safe)

[justalicious6989]

Haha! It's dry here on the southwest side by Midway.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by ChicagoMeO

...
there is even a word for what this activity that gay men do that i've never heard straight people say "the word "Trade" as in "I found some trade tonight". or "he was just trade."... i.e. recreational sex just for fun and enjoyment, no strings attached.

I don't know if there's been some linguistic change recently, but historically "trade" in a gay context is meant to refer to straight guys who are willing to take the active role and use a gay guy just to get off, with no reciprocation. Most commonly it would be to receive oral sex from a gay guy, although sometimes it might mean the straight guy actually topping the gay guy. By today's standards, the straight guys in such scenarios might be considered "total top" gay men, or at least definitely bisexual, but they were not always considered ***** historically and never considered to be "sissies" or other, more derogatory, historical names for gay men.

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

4 dates within a week is a lot for gay guys as well.

Yes, although many gay men have had that scenario occur at least on occasion. I once had three dates in one day.

Originally Posted by PunjabiBuckeye

...
2) Could you please elaborate more on the "fundraiser scene"?

Places like the Art Institute, the major theatres, the other museums, major civic groups, etc, all have fundraising events that they sell tickets to the public for. They're usually always very nice with good drinks, good food. Sometimes they're black tie. Sometimes they advertise in the mass media, other times you have to seek out when they do them on their own web sites. Once you start meeting people at them, you often can find out from them when other fundraisers will be.

Originally Posted by PunjabiBuckeye

3) Out of the 8 nights I've been in Chicago, I've only spent 4 in my bed (don't judge). But that's only out of loneliness, and sinking self esteem. I'm just waiting for someone to dine with by the Riverwalk.

Stay safe and get tested regularly. If you don't want to use your regular doctor for testing, you can always go to Howard Brown near the Sheridan stop on the Red Line.

Originally Posted by PunjabiBuckeye

4) Gay sports leagues don't seem that central in Chicago... perhaps because it's a much larger city than DC?! Also, I have failed to get myself excite for Pride, more depressed about, kinda like my birthdays where I was so afraid that none of my friends were gonna show up.

Pride is enormous in Chicago. People will show up. Gay sports leagues are central to Boystown, not to downtown. Chicago is geographically much bigger than Washington. D.C. is 1/4 the size of just the city of Chicago, and the parts of Washington people really visit are smaller than that.

Originally Posted by PunjabiBuckeye

5) I had a couple guys walk to me and make conversations which started with compliments, before I even had the chance to spread out my beach mat on Hollywood Beach. There were also some girls at Sidetrack who were like "OMG you're by yourself? let me find you a cutie",

Yeah, you don't have a problem.

Originally Posted by PunjabiBuckeye

6) If it makes you happy for me, I have a date tomorrow evening, and possibly one the day after. Not with guys I am head over heels for, but that's what dates are for I guess.

Overall, I think if I open my eyes, Chicago has been friendly. So I'll take the blame on me rather than put it on this magnificent city, although I can't be too harsh on myself, I'm just a human waiting to be held.

Real life isn't a cheesy, formulaic gay movie, and a lot of guys who "aren't losers" actually find guys who treat it as though it were to be kind of grating and obnoxious. Just as something to keep in mind.

[ChicagoMeO]

EMATHIAS - hi - well, generally the way my friends would use that word "trade" meant a guy they'd meet up just for sex, no strings attached, not for love, though I guess it could turn into more than that if they wanted to. Its just a sexual hookup, but maybe you know a bit more info about it than me. Kind of like that guy Brian in Q U E E R as Folk did alot.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by ChicagoMeO

EMATHIAS - hi - well, generally the way my friends would use that word "trade" meant a guy they'd meet up just for sex, no strings attached, not for love, though I guess it could turn into more than that if they wanted to. Its just a sexual hookup, but maybe you know a bit more info about it than me. Kind of like that guy Brian in Q U E E R as Folk did alot.

My gay friends just call that "hooking" or "hooking up" or even just getting laid. But linguistics are fluid, and word definitions mean different things in different groups and different eras, so I'm not about to say your friends are using the word "wrong," just that historically the word has carried different meanings in similar contexts.

[s0nginmyheart]

Originally Posted by PunjabiBuckeye

... not to mention everybody does gay sports and meets new people...

What exactly is gay sports? Is that like when you gay park your gay car and go to gay work?

[jwaiter]

Originally Posted by s0nginmyheart

What exactly is gay sports?

Soccer?
Wrestling?

[s0nginmyheart]

That was gay sarcasm.

It's just "sports".

[hahn0100]

It's way easier in Boystown, that's the gayborhood. You'll have to work harder downtown to meet other gay men. Cab ride from DT to Lakeview on Lakeshore Drive is about 12-15$ or the train goes straight there, get off at Belmont or Addison.

[PunjabiBuckeye]

Hello all!

Thank you for the great posts, and great sarcasm some of you!

Fundraisers--> I actually made a friend this past weekend who goes to the Art Insititute and works with clients at cocktail parties etc, like fundraisers. But what does one actually do there? Wouldn't it be like wealthy and seasoned mostly straight couples? How does a gay college student/intern with a non designer black suit fit in this scene, and find someone successful? It is important to note that I'm not a gold digger, I am very ambitious and I'd rather be with people who are inspiring.
(sorry to bring in DC here again, but everyone I have hooked up with there was either a news reporter, an influential Republican, an IMF person etc etc so the bar is set pretty high).

Considering the numerous suggestions, I do plan on going to Boystown for a stroll, or coffee by myself, and see how vibrant the area actually is. I've previously only been there on weekend nights.

[ToriaT]

Watch out because there are a lot of nuts out there. Gay and otherwise.