Online niche dating

Who says dating isn’t for everyone? Nowadays, with the click of a mouse, you can search hundreds of online dating websites that cater to each of our particular interests, lifestyle and hobbies. Online dating giants such as Match.com and eHarmony may have pioneered the whole business of electronically finding love, but niche and specialized dating sites help to single in (no pun intended) on what’s really important to you. No matter how weird you may think you are, there’s someone for you.

For those looking for the nerd of their life: At Sweet on Geeks, join a network of gamers, hackers, Trekkies and whoever else may be in the land of dweeb-dom. Profiles number far and wide, and both sexes proclaim their love for science, Dungeons & Dragons and comic books, among many other things. Membership is free, regardless of species. To sign up for an account, visit sweetongeeks.com.

For those looking to share life-altering experiences: If you’re living with herpes, HIV/AIDS or STDs, that’s no reason to stop the search for love. Positive Singles is one of the largest communities for STD support and dating. All profiles are anonymous, and the site even provides medical information to its members. There is no cost for a Standard membership, which allows you to create your own profile. Gold memberships start at $19.95 per month. Visit positivesingles.com to learn more and register.

For the outdoors and exercise enthusiasts: Auto touring, backpacking, biking and scuba diving are all options for dates on Outdoor Dating. There are a plethora of locations and activities listed on the site, so dull moments are never a problem. Once you communicate with someone special through messages, you two can plan an outdoor adventure together. Membership is free. Visit outdoordating.com to sign up.

For small-town folks: Whether you’re a rancher, cowboy, farmer or just love being in the country, finding your type won’t be too hard with Farmers Only. The site attracts singles with old-fashioned, traditional values who can get by on the simple things. While a Standard membership is free, Premium memberships start as low as $4.99 a month. Sign up at farmersonly.com.

For those with some serious dough: Do you have high standards? Millionaire Match caters to young professionals with busy lives…and who make quite a bit of moolah. You don’t have to be rich to join, just maybe looking for someone who is. Those who earn more than $150,000 annually are classified as millionaires. Creating a profile is free. Start looking for your sugar mama or daddy at millionairematch.com.

For the spiritually minded: Don’t compromise your values or beliefs just to date. On Dharma Match, you can find someone compatible with your spiritual self. Fill out a profile on your lifestyle, personality, interests, values and spirituality, and leave it in the hands of a greater power. Join free at dharmamatch.com.

For the tree huggers: Don’t want to save the world by yourself? Share your love for the earth, the environment and peace on Green Singles. Started in 1985, the site has now reached prominence in the eyes of the globally aware. Success stories tell of the magic of finding someone with common values. Registration is free, and profiles are screened daily for scams and frauds. Find a green friend (and hopefully love) now at greensingles.com.

For the furs of the world: By definition, a furry is someone who possesses emotional and often sexual tendencies toward anthropomorphism (in layman’s terms, that’s giving human characteristics to animals and other nonhuman creatures). On Pounced.org, you can make your animal affinities known. From friendly border collies to lonely foxes, profiles on the site show pictures of both the real human and the animal. Because furs created the site, there is no cost to create an account, profile or even a personalized ad. Visit pounced.org to join.

For the cannabis friendly: Imagine if your favorite illegal pastime suddenly became acceptable. Perhaps this won’t happen by the standards of the U.S. government, but on 420 Dating you can meet singles who would be happy to toke with you any day of the week. Though the site doesn’t serve as an information source for your Mary Jane cravings, you can create a profile with pictures, audio and video, and search for other members at no charge. The most popular subscription plan—which allows you to contact members and reply to others—costs $9.95 a month for a year. Learn more and sign up at 420dating.com.

For the Ayn Rand fanatics: Sure, Ayn Rand left a legacy of treasured and thought-provoking books, but now, fans are taking it one step further. At the Atlasphere, those who are inspired by her work can connect online for both personal and professional reasons. Want to chat it up about the famous opening line from The Fountainhead or mourn Rand’s death? You might find just what you’re looking for among the more than 20,000 member profiles on the site. Members can browse directory profiles and dating profiles for free, but you must become a subscriber to contact others and access the full range of benefits. Sign up at theatlasphere.com.

For the darker ones: At Gothic Match, you might discover a special someone (dark eyeliner and everything) who can help you through your troubles or enjoy your taste in music. The No. 1 dating site for gothic singles allows you to play online games, chat, keep up on goth news and much more. A free standard membership allows you to create a profile; gold memberships start as low as $15.95 a month to access all profiles and contact other members. Join at gothicmatch.com today.

For the cat lovers: No one wants to be the lonely woman with a million cats. Instead, join Purrsonals.com, where the main focus is on those feline friends. You won’t have to fret any longer about finding mates who get along with your beloved kitties. Registration is free. Visit purrsonals.com to fill out a form and start your search.

For those behind bars: If you’re looking for the rebels and rule breakers, look no further than Prison Pen Pals, where inmates can post ads from jail cells across the country. Their pictures, addresses and Department of Corrections numbers are often listed on the ads so others can write to them. You must be 18 years or older to write a letter to a prisoner. Visit prisonpenpals.org to find a ne’er-do-well with a heart of gold.

For those in service: It’s no surprise that dating while in uniform often can be difficult, but sites such as Military Dating Online make it easier for our country’s heroes to do something for themselves on occasion. Members are proud of their military background and usually describe their branch or position right off the bat. The service is completely free and includes unlimited messaging. Sign up at militarydatingonline.com.

For the political party loyalists: For you elephants out there, try a site such as Republican People Meet to connect with singles who share your ideologies. For the donkeys, Act for Love covers those who swing to the left side of the spectrum—whether they’re progressive, democratic or an activist. Take a side and you may just find things a little more blue or red. Both sites allow you to post a free profile. Visit either republicanpeoplemeet.com or actforlove.org.

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