15 June,2025 09:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Debjani Paul
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No, Chad, we don't want to see your nudes or send any before we've even had one decent conversation. Explicit or intrusive questions about the body can be especially triggering for a lot of queer folks. Keep the spicy texts and photos for later, what really gets the heart racing is when we see someone genuinely interested in getting to know us. Ask more questions about them, share freely about your lives too, and don't settle for anything less from your match either.
â¦This one bears repeating: Don't trust people who don't have profile photos, because there's a higher chance of being catfished. On the other hand, we love to see profiles with a bunch of photos that show not just the person's appearance, but also their varied interests - think bowling, swimming, pets, hikes or anything else, really. A well-rounded personality that they're willing to share freely: a green flag if ever there was one!
It's a small world, especially in the tightly knit queer community. Look for others in the community who know of, and can vouch for, your match. This means they come pre-certified as green flags. Why learn the hard way when you can just ask around? Check if you have common friends, or if they are part of queer-friendly micro communities such as Humsafar Trust or the Mumbai Queer Pride Collective.
The greenest flag is when someone suggests a date out in the open, in the daytime. It could be meeting at a public place for coffee or a meal, or an outdoorsy date like a hike. Meeting at a hotel bar for drinks might sound glam, but it often comes with the unstated expectation of getting a room upstairs later. If this is not your scene, we'd suggest keeping communication clear.
Or, select a different venue and activity: maybe a walking trail in the city, a night at the games arcade, or a perfume-making workshop.
