I tried a gay matchmaking service.

The Reality of Racial Preferences in Matchmaking

Over the past decade, I’ve explored every dating avenue available — from apps to speed dating and meetup groups. Yet, I consistently found myself missing the connection I sought. Opting for a matchmaking service seemed like the next logical step. Although I personally don’t prioritize race or ethnicity in my search, it’s become evident that many individuals, including other people of color, do have such preferences.

While Gayquation.com aims to provide a comprehensive matchmaking service for gay men, the broader matchmaking industry faces challenges related to racial preferences. A 2018 article in The Atlantic highlighted the difficulties matchmakers encounter due to clients’ racial biases. Some clients explicitly state their preference against being matched with individuals of certain racial backgrounds. This racial preference in dating isn’t unique to heterosexual relationships; it’s a pervasive issue that spans across all orientations.

The article in The Atlantic sheds light on the challenges faced by matchmakers when clients specify that they would prefer not to be matched with someone of a particular race. Such preferences can limit potential matches for people of color, making it harder for them to find compatible partners. This reality underscores the importance of platforms like Gayquation.com, which aim to cater to a diverse clientele. However, it also raises questions about how such services navigate the complex terrain of racial biases in dating.

The Gayquation Promise

Gayquation describes itself as a “vibrant, eye-popping journey” that offers an intersection of fun, exploration, and genuine male connections. The platform prides itself on its diverse network, boasting men from various walks of life, ranging from professors to artists, doctors to construction workers. Their pitch is clear: Say goodbye to impersonal dating sites, flaky men, and robotic matchmaking. Instead, embrace genuine, relationship-seeking individuals in your community.

The service emphasizes introducing its users to men open to dating and fostering friendships, thereby increasing the chances of a relationship-oriented experience. They believe in the power of time, passion, and familiarity between two men. Their commitment is evident in their statement: “We find them, you date them!”

The European Experience: A Personal Account

While the platform’s promises sound enticing, personal experiences can vary. Using the European version of Gayquation, one user found that being a person of color presented challenges similar to other online platforms. Despite the platform’s extensive network and promise of genuine connections, this user received zero matches.

Seeking clarity, the user posed three questions to the service:

1. What percentage of men in the Netherlands prefer Caucasian partners?
2. Which cities have the most significant market for individuals like him?
3. Was he being overly selective in his criteria?

Gayquation’s response was enlightening:

1. Up to 90% of their users included Caucasian in their preference list. However, those exclusively seeking Caucasian men, sidelining other races, stood at approximately 60%.
2. The top cities for potential matches, excluding Asia, were major metroplexes like LA, SF, NYC, London, Paris, Chicago, Seattle, Washington (DC), Zurich, and Houston.
3. While the user’s criteria were within the mean, Gayquation suggested expanding the age range from 35–42 to 30–45 for better results.

A Closer Look at Racial Dynamics

When probed further about racial statistics, Gayquation provided a breakdown:

• 65% of potential matches were white.
• 10% were Middle Eastern.
• 10% were Latin.
• 5% were East Indian.
• Less than 5% were Asian.
• Less than 5% were Black.

Moreover, of the pre-qualified matches:

• 50% were generally not interested due to superficial values, including ethnicity.
• 20% had sexual role preference mismatches.
• 20% had age preference issues.
• 10% were not open to dating someone outside a 25-mile radius.

Gayquation.com offers a unique service in the world of gay dating, emphasizing genuine connections and relationships. However, personal experiences, especially for people of color in Europe, highlight the persistent challenges of racial preferences in the dating world. While the platform’s commitment to fostering real connections is commendable, these statistics underscore the broader issues of racial biases in dating, even within specialized platforms.

It’s essential to approach such platforms with an open mind, understanding that individual experiences can vary widely based on location, preferences, and, unfortunately, racial biases that persist in society.

Would I give another GayQuation another shot? I would if I were living in the US.