Group 10 Gay males

1. Group 10Gay males Brianne Ruddy, aida Blankenship, Shane Vetter Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcwVuyGnA3A

2. Research Overview Our segment, gay males of the University of Nevada, Reno, enjoy social “hangouts” such as coffee shops, local restaurants and bars in Reno’s MidtownDistrict. Midtown also offers variety and seclusion separate from the downtown atmosphere. Gay college males appreciate the small businesses and the cultural acceptance of the LGBTQ Community and other diverse groups of people. Gay college males shy away from gay bars to experience close interactions in the secluded places in Midtown with peers, partners and new acquaintances.

3. Gay men in college are more prone to dating or having a meaningful relationship. From a testimonial in Yahoo Answers one user wrote, that dating is no different with gay men than it is with straight men, because many straight men just want an occasional fling, while some want a lasting relationship. • Gay men in college prefer to shop at more trendy stores or online stores. William M. O’Barr’s “Niche Markets: Gay Consumers” states that, “ gay consumers constitute a niche market. Trends in marketing recognize diversity that exists in the population.” Stores like Express and Macy’s are appealing to gay males in college because they both display a variety of trends that are made to fit the features of the male body. • Gay men in college are social. According to Michael Joseph Gross of “Gay,” “what society wants is to be welcome wherever we go. Not going to a straight bar, gay bar, black bar, Latino bar, but a place where everyone can feel welcome.” Gay males in college prefer comfortable environments and interpersonal interactions. • Gay males in college choose to either be associated with or unassociated with gay organizations.Richard Allen Stevens Jr. wrote “Understanding Gay Identity Development Within the College Environment” which explains, “these students must assess the environmental norms and then figure out how they fit or do not fit into their new environments.” Gay males in college are associated with gay organizations to fulfill their own sense of community, and for those that choose not to associate they feel they have other characteristics that better define who they are.

4. “If I am looking for a hook-up, a night of fun, or something sexually driven, I would prefer to meet at the club. If I am looking for a new person, someone who can offer conversation, company, time, etc., then I would prefer to go to the weekly open mics at coffee shops.” –Participant Dating and Relationships Gay college males prefer to find a partner outside of the gay club scene as the clubs tend to promote promiscuity. Quiet places, such as coffee shops or school are better places to make lasting connections. One’s social network is more trusting to meet other gay males who are looking to date or have a relationship. Majority of gay college males use apps such as Grinder and Tinder to meet other gay males in the community.

5. “I think Express does a great job in accenting the key sexy features of the male body.” –Participant Consumer Habits Certain clothing stores such as Express accent the male figure more than other stores and these are popular places for gay college males to shop at. Since there are limited options in Reno to shop at with trendy unique clothes, some gay college males resort to online shopping (Zara, Urban Outfitters). Prefer purchasing unique pieces that apply to the trendy styles of a metropolis

6. “My favorite part about Reno has to be the ‘small-town’ people that I’ve met here.” –Participant Socializing Gay males in college prefer going out rather than staying in. Different neighborhood coffee shops are a favorite hangout of Gay college males, because of the quiet social atmosphere that allows them to have one-on-one conversations. The Midtown District offers a diverse culture of restaurants, bars, mom and pop shops and other artsy events. Majority of gay college males are not going to gay bars to socialize, it is more sexually fueled rather than just social.

7. “I first went to Gay Pride in Las Vegas when I was 18. That’s when it really clicks, at least it did for me. That’s when you realize you are not the only one, and that you are part of a much bigger, fabulous family than you originally thought.” –Participant LGBTQ Organizations/Events Gay males in college either associate themselves with gay organizations or do not feel comfortable joining or attending events. Majority of gay males in college support the Human Rights Campaign(HRC) although they may not be a part of a gay organization. Some gay college males choose not to be a part of a gay organizationbecause drawing attention to themselves when they are closeted or just coming out can be uncomfortable. Some college gay males like going to public events, such as Gay Pride because “it can be liberating” and it allows for them to express themselves in a judge-free environment.