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Short-Attention-Span Dating for Lesbians Returns to Atlanta

For single women without the time or patience for personals, or who find the bar scene wanting, Atlanta event organizers Girls Gone Pride are bringing speed dating for lesbians back for another round on February 17th. Girls Gone Pride Co-founder Deanna tells me that the age range for the speed dating events have really been varied. “We have younger, older and those who are in between. I think we ended up with around 24 or so women at the last one,” she said.

Bird, the other half of Girls Gone Pride, added that the fast-daters were from all walks of life. A creation of the hetero world, speed dating is a relatively recent social phenomenon, no doubt a result of the increasingly fast, multitasked American lifestyle. Instant gratification no doubt has its advantages when you’re trying to deal with work, Atlanta traffic, a somewhat limited lesbian bar scene and stand-offish dykes.

In an episode of Logo TV’s Big Gay Sketch Show last season (episode 101), a spoof of lesbian speed dating was about the funniest skit I’ve ever seen. In it, two lesbians complete an entire relationship in the short window they are given to “speed date.” The characters move in together, adopt cats, fight, cheat and break up in just three minutes. Now that is taking U-hauling to a whole new level. It’s probably worth attending Girls Gone Pride’s event, if only to see how dykes, stereotypically fast in moving from a meet to a marriage, deal with the speed-dating movement in real life. The February speed dating event will be held at Birdi’s in Decatur, starting at 6:30 p.m. There’s a $5.00 registration fee. For more information, you can check out Girls Gone Pride’s myspace page.

Bisexuality is its Own Team, Study Shows

Should bisexuals just “pick a team?” Why don’t they just “get off the fence?” These are some of the common frustrations aimed at bisexuals from the straight and LGBT communities alike. But a new study finds that, at least in women, bisexuality is not a result of sexual confusion. Nor is it a transitional phase between homosexuality and heterosexuality. ABC News reports that a new study by Lisa Diamond, an associate professor of psychology and gender studies at the University of Utah, found bisexuality in women to be a “natural state.” Diamond told ABC that her findings suggest that bisexuality should be recognized as a distinct sexual orientation.

The small study followed 79 bisexual women for 10 years, and while some occasionally waivered in their sexual preference, few described themselves as “switching” to become either lesbian or straight. The research also challenged the notion that bisexual women are less likely to be successful in committing to a long-term relationship. The majority of the study participants were in monogamous relationships that lasted five years or more.

The study will be published in the January issue of the American Psychological Association’s journal, Developmental Psychology. Diamond has also written two books on female sexuality: Rethinking Positive Adolescent Female Sexual Development (2006) and the forthcoming book (to be published by Harvard University Press on February 15, 2008), Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women’s Love and Desire.

Bisexual Men More Rare?

Larry Craig and the “on the down low” phenomenon notwithstanding, other research has found that bisexuality is more common in women than men. Diamond’s research suggests that women have different patterns of sexual response than men do. But Diamond says her research should not be construed to mean that male bisexuality does not exist, but rather than more study is needed to define its unique characteristics.

In my experience, lesbians often struggle to describe how female relationships are different. It’s an emotional thing. It’s about the connection, as much or more so than sexual intimacy.

Girls Gone Pride to Share Sweets with Singles at MSR

Girls Gone Pride will be giving lonely-heart lesbians a treat tomorrow night at My Sister’s Room in East Atlanta. Their “Taking Candy from Strangers” party will give the un-partnered an opportunity to meet, greet and eat sweets. With the $10 cover comes a neon bracelet color-coded to announce your status: single and looking, approachable (with caution) or taken. Also included is a candy necklace to reward those who connect.

Music will be mixed by house talent DJ Duck and Yvonne Monet from 99X. Go Go Vixens will help get the dancing going on stage and in the crowd. There will also be a “tighty whitey” wet (or dry) t-shirt contest on the deck at 1:00 a.m. All who participate get a free t-shirt, with a cash prize for the winner. To further encourage interaction, there’ll be flip cup games, also on the deck. And of course, drink specials for some liquid courage, with $2.00 draft beer and $2.00 shots. It all gets underway starting at 9:00 p.m. More information is available at Girls Gone Pride’s myspace page.

Disclaimer: This post is not a paid advertisement. A single lesbian myself, I know it’s damn hard to date. Girls Gone Pride gets it, so they got a free promo post. See you there, girls.