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Ego

Am I Gay Quiz
Advice | Behavior

Am I Gay? Quiz: Take the First Step in Understanding Your Sexuality

ByBae January 9, 2023September 3, 2023 Reading Time: 6 minutes

Are you questioning your sexual orientation? Understanding your sexuality can be complex and nuanced, and everyone’s journey is going to be uniquely theirs. Our quiz will help you explore your…

Read More Am I Gay? Quiz: Take the First Step in Understanding Your SexualityContinue

How Does Exercise Improve Mental Health?
Mental Health | Fitness

How Does Exercise Improve Mental Health? 7 Benefits You Need To Know

ByBae December 23, 2022January 8, 2023 Reading Time: 5 minutes

Dealing with stress, depression, and other mental health issues is draining and can affect multiple aspects of your life. However, implementing healthy habits like exercise into your routine can be…

Read More How Does Exercise Improve Mental Health? 7 Benefits You Need To KnowContinue

Basic Self-Care for the Good of Your Mental Health
Mental Health

Basic Self-Care for the Good of Your Mental Health

ByBae October 3, 2021September 3, 2023 Reading Time: 5 minutes

Practicing self-care is essential for supporting your emotional wellness. Even if you don’t suffer from any particular mental illness, looking out for your mental health today can prevent problems down…

Read More Basic Self-Care for the Good of Your Mental HealthContinue

transgender coming out story
Love | Advice | Ego | Mental Health | Relationships

Coming Out As Trans While Married – My Story of Hidden Truths

ByBae December 18, 2020September 3, 2023 Reading Time: 18 minutes

The decision to get married is a momentous point in a couple’s lifetime. It’s an exciting, defining, and ideally final choice when we propose and eventually say I do, and…

Read More Coming Out As Trans While Married – My Story of Hidden TruthsContinue

gay self harm
Mental Health

Just for Attention: My Self-Harm and What I Get Out of It

ByBae September 3, 2020September 3, 2020 Reading Time: 9 minutes

Featured Writer: Kyle Getz Note: The following article contains discussion and descriptions of self-harm and discussion of suicide, primarily suicidal ideation. This note is more than a trigger warning. After…

Read More Just for Attention: My Self-Harm and What I Get Out of ItContinue

be more empathetic
Behavior

10 Ways To Be More Empathetic

ByBae August 4, 2020September 3, 2023 Reading Time: 4 minutes

Everyone around you struggles with an insecurity that they try to hide from the world. Sometimes their feelings and emotions betray those insecurities; sometimes, they don’t. Either way, these insecurities…

Read More 10 Ways To Be More EmpatheticContinue

Forgiving Your Parents – A Coming Out Story
Mental Health | Ego

Forgiving Your Parents – A Coming Out Story

ByBae May 17, 2020December 19, 2021 Reading Time: 11 minutes

She remained quiet behind his unwavering belief that who I was and what I stood for was a sin. As I sat there and watched her submit to him with…

Read More Forgiving Your Parents – A Coming Out StoryContinue

social awkwardness
Mental Health

What Causes Social Awkwardness?

ByMark May 6, 2020May 6, 2020 Reading Time: 7 minutes

They used to be called “shy” people. More correctly, those who shun many different types of social interactions may have social anxiety disorder. While it’s normal for all individuals to…

Read More What Causes Social Awkwardness?Continue

lgbtq mental health covid19
Mental Health | Ego | Health

The Challenges of Covid-19 on LGBTQ Mental Health

ByMark April 26, 2020August 19, 2023 Reading Time: 9 minutes

It’s 7:09 AM. I’ve been awake for twelve hours. My sleep schedule is so off, I feel like I exist in a different time than everyone around me. I’m taking…

Read More The Challenges of Covid-19 on LGBTQ Mental HealthContinue

gay social anxiety
Mental Health | Ego

Of Course I Have Social Anxiety – I’m Gay

ByMark April 12, 2020September 3, 2023 Reading Time: 14 minutes

It was my senior year of high school when I got the question: “Are you gay?” Heather, my ex-girlfriend and then best friend, was standing in the doorway of the…

Read More Of Course I Have Social Anxiety – I’m GayContinue

aids lifecycle
Advice | Body | Mental Health

AIDS/LifeCycle: Why I Ride

ByBae March 7, 2020March 7, 2020 Reading Time: 6 minutes

The following article was written by our guest contributor, DG. Editor’s Note: The author of this piece wishes to remain anonymous so as to maintain the integrity of his piece…

Read More AIDS/LifeCycle: Why I RideContinue

coming out as a gay porn star
Behavior | Sex

How to Come Out of the (Porn) Closet to Your Family

ByBae January 21, 2020December 19, 2021 Reading Time: 7 minutes

In the wise words of my mother, “You know, at least he’s not a serial killer.” Thanks, Mom. Finding out your son has secretly been doing gay porn for the…

Read More How to Come Out of the (Porn) Closet to Your FamilyContinue

cbd for anxiety
Health | Mental Health

Signs You Need To Start Using The Best CBD For Anxiety

ByBae November 11, 2019December 19, 2021 Reading Time: 4 minutes

Anxiety is your body’s response to excessive stress and the use of illicit drugs. In some cases, anxiety can also be a symptom of a serious health condition, such as…

Read More Signs You Need To Start Using The Best CBD For AnxietyContinue

6 Ways to Show Yourself Love this Summer
Mental Health | Lifestyle

6 Ways to Show Yourself Love this Summer

ByBae April 10, 2019September 3, 2023 Reading Time: 6 minutes

Summer is a great season to go outdoors and enjoy the sun. This season signifies youth, energy, vitality, joviality, and wholehearted action. It’s a time that most people enjoy through…

Read More 6 Ways to Show Yourself Love this SummerContinue

gay men's mental health
Mental Health

6 Simple & Easy Ways to Relieve Stress & Anxiety

ByBae February 10, 2019August 17, 2022 Reading Time: 4 minutes

For most people, stress and anxiety are common experiences they struggle to overcome. In the United States, over 70% of adults say that they feel anxiety and stress daily. The…

Read More 6 Simple & Easy Ways to Relieve Stress & AnxietyContinue

The Year 25: A Quarter Life Analysis
Mental Health

The Year 25: A Quarter Life Analysis

ByMark March 2, 2017August 17, 2022 Reading Time: 4 minutes

It wasn’t until my boyfriend and I were driving home from the gym today that it really occurred to me that a quarter of my life is now behind me….

Read More The Year 25: A Quarter Life AnalysisContinue

gay-single-man
Mental Health | Ego

The Beauty of Being Gay and Single in Los Angeles

ByMark January 26, 2017September 3, 2023 Reading Time: 7 minutes

So many of us seem to constantly be yearning for the things we don’t have. When we’re single, we romanticize the idea of being in a relationship, having someone to…

Read More The Beauty of Being Gay and Single in Los AngelesContinue

http://www.pqmonthly.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Sex_Drugs_and_Losing_Control__by_Angelmaker666-1140x641.jpg
Ego | Awareness | Behavior | Drugs

Chemsex: 4 Things You Should Know

ByMark December 12, 2016August 17, 2022 Reading Time: 6 minutes

It should come as no surprise that the rates of substance abuse in the gay community are significantly higher than the general population. Whether this is a behavioral response to…

Read More Chemsex: 4 Things You Should KnowContinue

gay-bars
Relationships | Behavior | Dating

Are Gay Bars Bad for Gay Relationships?

ByMark December 6, 2016September 3, 2023 Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Dilemma An ongoing argument exists in our community over whether gay bars pose a threat to gay relationships. The idea here is that by continuing to frequent these bars…

Read More Are Gay Bars Bad for Gay Relationships?Continue

gay-asian-potate-queen-article
Ego | Dating | Preference

Gay Asians and Potatoes: 5 Responses to The Angry Homosexual

ByMark November 11, 2016August 19, 2023 Reading Time: 6 minutes

As a white gay man who has never experienced what it is like to be a racial minority, I want to begin by recognizing the frustration that many non-white gay…

Read More Gay Asians and Potatoes: 5 Responses to The Angry HomosexualContinue

grindr-app
Behavior | Ego | Technology

Men for Men: Geosocial Mapping & User Experience

ByMark November 8, 2016August 19, 2023 Reading Time: 4 minutes

If you are reading this article you probably stumbled upon it by by searching for keyword combinations like “men for men.” A term often coupled with actions such as “looking,”…

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wisdom-tree-los-angeles
Behavior | Ego | Travel

Wishes from the Wisdom Tree

ByMark November 7, 2016September 3, 2023 Reading Time: 3 minutes

On this smoggy, temperate Sunday afternoon, I led by boyfriend and very small dog up the long trek to the Wisdom Tree in Griffith Park. Having endured the transitional period…

Read More Wishes from the Wisdom TreeContinue

Do You Deserve It? The Science Behind Self-Indulgence
Ego | Behavior

Do You Deserve It? The Science Behind Self-Indulgence

ByMark September 15, 2016August 17, 2022 Reading Time: 2 minutes

Do you remember the last time you rewarded yourself for the hard work you put into a project, an intense gym session, or a week of adhering to a super…

Read More Do You Deserve It? The Science Behind Self-IndulgenceContinue

ways-to-be-happy
Ego | Mental Health

A Daily Happiness Schedule: 6 Simple Tips

ByMark September 7, 2016December 19, 2021 Reading Time: 4 minutes

We experience happiness when we feel contentment, pleasure, and a consistent sense of purpose in our lives. What seems like an abstract phenomenon can be inspired by the most simple…

Read More A Daily Happiness Schedule: 6 Simple TipsContinue

grindr-gay-hookup-app-2
Ego | Behavior | Technology

The Headless Torso: Communicating on Gay Apps

ByMark August 19, 2016August 19, 2023 Reading Time: 4 minutes

The emergence of location-based dating applications such as Grindr, Tinder, and Jack’d, has forever changed the way we as a minority group are able to communicate with each other. We…

Read More The Headless Torso: Communicating on Gay AppsContinue

gay-male-sexuality
Appearance | Body | Mental Health

Gay Men and Sexual Dimorphism

ByMark August 18, 2016August 17, 2022 Reading Time: 2 minutes

Researchers from Harvard’s department of Psychology performed a study back in 2009 that measured the attractiveness of different faces in both gay and straight sample groups. Although they found that…

Read More Gay Men and Sexual DimorphismContinue

gay-friendships
Ego | Behavior

“Party Friends” vs. “Clear-Weather Friends”

ByMark August 15, 2016August 17, 2022 Reading Time: 4 minutes

As gay men we are keen and savvy partygoers, often planning out our social events and associated attire months (or even years) in advance. Many of us plan our social…

Read More “Party Friends” vs. “Clear-Weather Friends”Continue

social-media-unfollowing
Behavior | Ego | Relationships

The Social Media “Unfollow” and the Ex Boyfriend

ByMark August 6, 2016August 19, 2023 Reading Time: 5 minutes

During my closeted years in high school I met a boy with whom I had my first gay sexual experience. Despite a part of me that still wanted to repress…

Read More The Social Media “Unfollow” and the Ex BoyfriendContinue

gayborhood
Ego | Mental Health

The Gayborhood: Does Our Homogeneity Make Us Happy?

ByMark August 5, 2016August 17, 2022 Reading Time: 7 minutes

When I walk outside my apartment building I see gay. Approximately 25 gay bars are condensed into a 2-mile radius near my residence, countless gay-owned and gay-oriented clothing stores showcase…

Read More The Gayborhood: Does Our Homogeneity Make Us Happy?Continue

gay interracial dating
Ego | Dating | Preference

Rice Queen or Bean Enthusiast? Racial Preference in Gay Dating

ByMark July 30, 2016August 17, 2022 Reading Time: 5 minutes

I think my boyfriend is beautiful. I’m attracted to every part of him – his flawless golden-brown complexion, big brown eyes, straight black hair, and his delicate facial features, to…

Read More Rice Queen or Bean Enthusiast? Racial Preference in Gay DatingContinue

hiv-dissident-a-dangerous-denial
Ego | Awareness | Mental Health

HIV-Dissident: A Dangerous Denial

ByMark July 28, 2016August 17, 2022 Reading Time: 3 minutes

“There is no HIV. You are not HIV positive, nor is your partner, nor is anyone worldwide. Give up your HIV status-identity and get a life.” -Alex Russel, assistant editor…

Read More HIV-Dissident: A Dangerous DenialContinue

About The Authentic Gay

Bae & Mark

The Authentic Gay was originally created to bring free mental health resources and experiences to a mostly-gay audience with the goal of eliminating gay shame. While that is still our driving cause, it has since blossomed into a catch-all resource for all-around wellness (and sometimes silliness too). Regardless of who you are and how you stumbled upon our site, we’re glad you’re here.

LEARN MORE



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