I apologize if this is overly long, but I feel as though I need to thoroughly explain myself.

I am a gay man who has always been interested in Russian culture, language, and people. I currently live in the United States, Florida, but have a passport and I am finally traveling again now that the COVID pandemic has mellowed down. I have many friends who are Russian by ethnicity but not born in Russian nor speak the language. I myself am not Russian, but have a solidly Slavic ethnic background.

I’ve been single for a while now, but due mostly to my own choice of not settling. I have attempted to reach out to some Russian guys and have made some connections but they have since petered out. Additionally I had been talking to a guy who turned out to be just another love scam. At this point I’m not against a long distance relationship (or even a friendship) but I would like to start meeting and talking with other (if possible, gay) Russian men.

Any advice on this subject will be helpful. I know that there is real fear about being outed as gay in Russia and even ex-pat Russian families, but I would really like to meet someone. If necessary, I can prove that I’m not setting this up as a trap nor am I some type of intelligence gatherer for the Kremlin. I just seriously, earnestly, and honestly would like to meet some gay Russians to talk to, befriend, and maybe even have a relationship with.