A gay speed dating event being hosted by Date in a Dash this Valentine’s Day in London is taking things to a whole new level.
The event allows men to quite literally size each other up before exchanging phone numbers… by getting naked first.
The event’s description reads:
On arrival to our venue in Balham, eager speed daters will be given dressing gowns to change into. From here on in, all guys in attendance will line up facing one another and then reveal themselves to each other.
After the big reveal its time to get dressed and compose yourself, grab yourself a well earned drink just before the speed dating begins! The fun begins here as you get to mingle, chat and flirt with the gorgeous bunch of guys you’ve just seen naked.
So, basically, you show up, get naked, flash your goods, get dressed, and then start speed dating.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Sounds efficient. And like it could be fun… maybe… if you’re into that sorta thing. There’s just one teeny, tiny catch:
The event is only open to gay men between the ages of 23 and 35.
That’s right, fellas. If you’re 36 or over, you’re too old to get naked with the other guys. And don’t bother lying about your age either, because they’ll be checking IDs at the door.
The event goes from 7:30 p.m. to midnight on February 14. Entry is £20 ($25 U.S.) plus a $2 processing fee and promoters make it very clear there is “100% no guarantee” you’ll find anyone you like.
But at least everyone you encounter will be under 35 years of age.
What are your thoughts on naked speed dating? Take our poll below…
teddybear111
More AGEISM. I have always liked older men.
They were easier to meet when I was younger but now that I’m over 70 no interest they are all looking for YOUNGER
Vince
Well I’m shocked. A gay party where they’re ageist and body discriminators. It’s almost like their trying to compete with Queerty. ?
I don’t really get the outrage over this. When I was in my twenties I would’ve thought this a great idea too. Of course you eventually grow up and now at 51 a root canal seems preferable. Have your party kids.
winemaker
I thought I’d seen and heard it all but then this came up, pun intended. is this what’s become of our community? Part of the fun and mystery of the person when you meet them for the first time is what lies underneath and when you see them nude first thing, this takes some of the mystery and fun out tof the experience. Evidentlty these guys are just looking for a quick hook up and if the other guy doesn’t measure up so to speak, he’ll be dismissed, how sad and superficial. I live in San Francisco, the ‘gay capital’ of the USA. The men here sad to say are somewhat the same. If you want to see nude men before really getting to know them on a deeper level, join one of the local gyms. There you’ll see nude man walking around in the locker room and taking showers and sometimes the attitude and tension is so thick you could cut it wjith a knife. By the way, these younger men by the grace of God will get older and won’t always be ‘young and cute’ and if they take care of themselves, eat right, no tobacco or drugs etc, they’ll realize we all get older, being good looking is realtive and they’ll look back on this nonsense for just what it is ‘nonsense and superficiality’
frankcar1965
You do know at that age they really do not give fock about what old gay guys think.
And just what community are you talking about? You do know that most gays do not live in SF or NYC don’t you? Why is it you coastal gays think you shiite doesn’t stink? You are a drop in the bucket.
Polaro
While it makes me sad that no one will date me at age 58 unless there is a payday, it is reality. It would be even worse to show up and be shunned because no one is attracted to you as you stand their naked and alone, so consider it a kindness. The fact that we can’t help our age makes this sad, but it is what it is, people are shallow. The flip side is I have a lot of money, so screw you judgey twinks! (Kidding, or am I?)
andrewl
It does suck but it is the nature of things. When I was younger I am sure as hell I would not have wanted to see naked 50 and 60 year old men! So if we middle aged or older gents wish to have nude dating then we organise it for ourselves. The real message I think is to make the most of your youth and sanely enjoy yourself as it fleets by. The last thing you want to do is look back on missed opportunities (lucky for me I thoroughly enjoyed myself).
Chrisk
@Polaro. Dude you’re not over the hill at 58. Of course to a 22 yo it’s a different matter unless they’re into the daddies.
Raymundo
There are hope for older people with older people or at least people into older people. What times like this have taught is that anyone can get a partner and it helps to be decent. It’s possible for people to find love but they have to go out and try.
john.k
I met the love of my life at 57. I’ve just turned 70 and we’re still together. So don’t give up.
frankcar1965
You forgot to mention the old guys who fawn over all the twinks and hot young guys. It works both ways. What old guy wants another old guy? It’s the nature of the beast and old straight men want the young hot babes too, have you noticed that? It’s been going on forever too.
Vince
@frankcar1965. Ha. Good point. I used to look down on older guys obsessed with chasing the youngies around. However, I’m in my 50s now and while you can still see guys looking good at that age I know it’s going to really going downhill in a decade. It’s not like I’m ever going to start being attracted to wrinkles and sagging. So yeah a whole new perspective on it ;-(
However, there comes a point that you look like a desperate fool with someone half your age or more.
Polaro
Color me surprised, but these comments are not rude. Is this Queerty? Well done.
Dirk Beach-Barrow
Rampant Ageism is going to be the death of The Gay Community world wide! Most men over 35 are just coming in to their own: knowing WHO they are, What they are, what their role in life is, what their sexuality encompasses, and so much more! Why do Gay men believe that, when they hit 40, they should all join hands and march to the nearest bridge or other high place, and jump! They think that their lives and their sexuality are KAPUT and life isn’t worth living any more! WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!! Life is a banquet, and most poor sons-of-bitches are STARVING to death!
Chrisk
Rampant ageism has been a staple of the gay community since forever.
WSnyder
What’s next? You can’t come in because you’re Black? Asian? Missing a Limb? Positive? Brown Eyes? Where does it stop? Nonsense like this is a blight on LGBTQ Rights, if we discriminate against our own, we might as well endorse those that discriminate against all LGBTQ persons. I personally wouldn’t participate, sounds like a gathering for idiots obsessed with dick size and into body shamming. But I rebel at the idea that men who might want to partake but are above this BS age limit can’t, and that’s not right. Like a Club that turns away Transgender, a venue that won’t allow heavy-set men, a event that denies admittance to people who are ‘different’, we’re right back to the 1800’s with ‘Gentlemen’s Clubs’ or the 1960’s with ‘Whites Only’. Bring the people promoting this into the light and let them suffer the consequences for their shallow and pathetic decisions.
frankcar1965
Yep that may just be next, certainly with the Poz guys that’s already happening.
Robothedestroyer
Your comment reminds me of a story a friend of mine told me when he was alive. He always was moving, good kid not into anything bad just could not hold down a place. He had interviewed with a couple who REQUIRED him to take an sti test before living there. They “would not allow him to bring any diseases into [their] house…” I always thought that was kinda gross.
ingyaom
I think they mean “speed hook-ups”.
toddlicious
Oh, but we’ve come so far!!!
Haha! No. No, we haven’t.
HereIAm
Why is so wrong for young people who want to be with other young people? If they are not attracted to older gents, you can’t force them. And really? What would a 40 or even 50 year old want to attend such a disgusting party? You should have settled down already unless your partner dies first. My real problem with this event is that it is not a dating venue where they meet for dinner or social events. This sounds like a sex party, potential anonymous sex, but dating? I doubt it.
Raymundo
Thank you
Clay83
I come straight to the comments to see what you write!
sebbie3000
You are hilarious! Do you stay as this 1950s housewife comedy character all the time, or are the prudish, outdated, shaming comments just kept in here?
joseph_buscarino
I’m not sure if this is reason for alarm, I do find it Ironic that the people who are probably upset about this article, and Ageism, are probably the same ones who help perpetuate it. How many Older guys are obsessed with twinks and younger guys, so you are upset that guys want to be with someone their own age, or that are focused on a specific group? how is that any different from Bear events, or any other event that focuses on a specific fetish or type. Granted, I think exclusion is always wrong, but that is my opinion, if thats what these twinks want, have at it, they are the ones truly missing out. I never judged guys based on age back when I was a twink, I have no intention on starting now, you just limit your own experiences.
Elf92
You make a good point.
jkb
If the attendees are cool with the age limitations, then more power to them. Another party can be put together encompassing all ages if there is someone to do it that may be more popular. But someone has to do it.
Brian
Meh. I’m not seeing the problem here. Our local LGBT center limits most events by age. There are under-18 events, “youth” events that include minors and college students, college only nights (based on age, not whether you’re a student), there are “young professional” events, there are “adult” and “senior” events. If anything, it’s hard to be 35! Being in the middle means being excluded from most things. This stuff is common. It’s not “ageist” because it’s not about superiority. It’s just tailoring.
iamru2
Oh oh the nazi warriors will be seriously triggered by this lol
Patrick
Just go to a bathhouse instead.
Robothedestroyer
Lol there ya go. Except in NC, none here. Cuz Jesus or some nonsense…
HereIAm
Bathhouses are so disgusting and outdated. Only perverts and sex crazed men would go to those filthy places to get their fix. It’s a blessing that no bathhouses exist in NC.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
How bout the growers not showers? How many guys are going to instantly eliminate someone simply because they think they are small??
SportGuy
So they will let some pudgy 20 something in but not a fit toned older guy, lmao
Raymundo
Not everyone wants to date an older person. An older guy would be in a different chapter of life and have different goals and desires than a younger.
eric
I’m 42, and have no problem with this. Younger 20-mid 30 guys should be able to have there own thing. Growing up in NYC, they used to have these type of parties quite often, this is the before the internet.. lol Where there was an age code, and only older types in the know got in. The rest were young 20’s. Plus in many cases especially when your young and new, you really don’t want some old daddy type drooling all over you every single time you go out. I have always liked older men, so again doesn’t affect me, and yes of course the gay community has always been ageist, elitist etc and for the most part always will be.. Its the nature of men, go figure.
RIGay
Ah yes… I remember a few of those pre-internet parties! Those were the days – picking up the weekly bar rag and seeing what was happening through the “personals”.
Kangol
Well, if it’s nude experiences you want, the parallel alternative is a bathhouse, where “our community” also gathers, where you have to take off all your clothes, and where you have guys of all ages, from 21 to 80. All types of guys, bodies, you name it. And there are private sex parties for older guys, men into leather, etc. in many cities, not only on the coasts (including SF) but in the Midwest, the South, as well as overseas, so there are options for guys over 35. If you look.
Heywood Jablowme
Another good thing about a bathhouse: if you go there you definitely WON’T see “HereIAm” there!
Heywood Jablowme
It’s hard to believe this even happened. This is the generation of young weenies who were too scared to take a shower after gym class.
RIGay
ROFL! No shit! I get a hoot out of the guys at our local health club who wear, like, a body towel coming out of the shower and then getting dressed under the towel.
surreal33
People can mistreat you if you allow it.
glennmcbride
This ageism problem is not a worldwide phenomenon. I live in Mexico and travel a lot in Central and South America and it is very different than in the US. On the dating apps, you will see profiles of 20 somethings that say “no one under 40” all the time. I am 67 and have been with my partner 33 years. Most of our friends are younger and most of the young men we socialize with are looking for a partner between 10 and 20 years older than them.
Vince
You do realize that you’re practicing your own ageism by mostly associating with younger and men who are also conveniently just into older. Just sayin..
Brian
I think every speed dating event should be restricted to certain age ranges. I think most people want someone within a reasonable age difference, it makes no sense to me to have 20 year olds and 60 year olds as all part of the same pool. Yes, I know there are exceptions. I’m 49 and not single, but if I were, I really wouldn’t want to waste my time chatting up guys 20 or 30 years younger than me. If I’m going to “date” 20 guys in a night, I want there to be 20 potential mates, not 5 plus 15 guys that I would never consider, who would also never consider me.