Relationships June 22, 2018
Online dating doesn't always suck.
Regardless of your sexual orientation, it is likely the perils of modern dating have frustrated you. In our current world, finding a partner can seem almost impossible, thus ushering in the age of online dating. While some have found luck on dating sites or apps, many users remain disgruntled and without partners.
Many sites promote themselves as open to members of all backgrounds and sexuality. However, there are some sites reserved for people who may find themselves lost or unheard on non-specific dating sites. For example, there is a range of dating sites aimed at uniting lesbian couples. We took a look at some of the best ranked lesbian dating sites. We looked to see if there were any differences between their goals and those without specific orientation. It seems some of the bigger, more broad dating sites could learn a thing or two from the online lesbian dating world.
Unlike other sites, several of the top lesbian dating sites introduce friendship as one of the possible outcomes of creating a profile. PinkCupid.com, for example, lists two options for what people might be looking for, “a friend or the love of your life.” The fact that a dating website prioritizes friendship is unique. This also sets a tone of ease and comfort in using the site. This way, one may feel less pressure finding friends than lovers. It also sets a standard that there is no harm in a lack of romantic connection. Any female connection found on the site is one they believe to be a success.
Another popular lesbian dating site, Pinksofa.com, also promotes their site as a source of female friendship. Their home page invites those who sign up to, “look for friends and just hang out.” With this relaxed approach to online dating, this site is able to ease dating nerves right off the bat.
Flirt.com, another lesbian dating site, does something unseen on several other big brand dating sites. On their homepage, they emphasize a user’s experience and empower users to take control. They describe the importance of moving on from negative connections and depict a successful relationship as one in which both parties are equal. While other dating sites, such as eharmony.com, provide their perspectives on happy relationships, they tend to focus on compatibility, rather than equity.
Flirt.com also emphasizes the value of respect in online exchanges. They touch on the importance of having the self-respect to know what you deserve in a relationship. They do this by highlighting some behaviors that one should not tolerate in any interaction, including having to, “chase them or make excuses for them.” In this way, this lesbian dating site turns attention back on the user herself and her own standards. This is opposed to other dating sites, such as match.com, which present you with images of available singles on their site right away, thus turning attention away from the user.
Another quality common amongst lesbian dating sites is the emphasis of community. Pinksofa.com, for example, invites users to, “join [their] community.” By doing this, the site sets up a feeling of inclusion and welcoming. It also unites users in a common goal as opposed to presenting them in competition with one another. Similar to other sites focused on friendship, placing value on community takes pressure off of the experience of using a dating site.
Because lesbian dating sites focus on bringing LGBT women together, some sites point out the problems users have experienced. For example, the Elite Singles website reserved for lesbians recounts the difficulties gay women may have in knowing whether the woman they have feelings for is also gay. Therefore, they promote their site as a safe space for lesbians to interact. Many dating sites attract users by expressing the ease of online dating compared to the discomfort of finding love in person. But they do not immediately emphasize safety and acceptance as some lesbian dating sites do.
While many of us find modern dating frustrating, these sites are genuinely trying to ease the online dating experience. By demonstrating real care and concern for their users, these sites are lightyears ahead of some other more popular sites out there.
