Dating in Lesbian Land
By:  Laura Grotz

Ok, I know you think I’m being flip when I say “Lesbian Land.”  But I’m not!  I have surveyed the kingdom about dating and this is what I’ve discovered.  It’s as one friend told me “fuzzy” when two women are dating.  Is it really a date or are we just going to coffee or lunch?  I mean really when do you call it a date?  I like to get to know people because I’m just that way and after all how will I meet “her” if I’m not out there?

I know, I know there are a few group things available and I have starting attending some of them.   But this is a small town and even smaller in Lesbian Land.  Everyone and I mean everyone knows your business.  So I’ve been told there are some unwritten rules in LL.  Like no parallel dating!  Why can’t you date more than one person at a time?  Because it will be all over the kingdom and that’s not acceptable.

Ok, I must not understand what dating is then because I don’t want to sleep with anyone.  I just want to get to know them and then go from there. 

So what is dating then?
 
Leo the Lion on Answerbag.com says the following:
“In practice, dating is the process of going out for (first) dates with someone, the time when you get to know each other. That’s the time when you’re allowed to ask other girls for dates too, since there’s no commitment other than to show up on time for the dates.”
Now from the feminine perspective we’ll hear from Bonny Albo’s Dating Blog on About.com.  She says “In my opinion, a date refers to an activity two people share together with the intention of getting to know each other better on a potentially romantic level. This differs greatly from ‘hooking up’ which usually describes a casual get together between two people that may or may not be sexual in nature. Two people who are “dating” therefore, have shared several dates together and have made it clear to one another they are interested in more than just a friendship – even if so far the exchanges have been purely friendly in nature. Dating is, essentially, getting to know someone over an extended period of time to determine if a relationship is something worth pursuing.”
Ok what about the real authority, the last word, like the almighty, all knowing wizard of Oz I bow to Wikipedia.org:  Dating is a form of courtship, and may include any social activity undertaken by, typically, two persons with the aim of each assessing the other’s suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. The word refers to the act of meeting and engaging in some mutually agreed upon social activity. Traditional dating activities include entertainment or a meal.
So I am on the right track.  Kudos for me!!  LOL