Hooking up, finding love: In a world where being gay has challenges all its own, finding love can be a difficult task. In this special report we asked readers to tell us where they met - or hoped to meet - that special someone. Was it just about sex? Or was there something more from the start?

Brenda Vazquez Age: 23 Residence: Dorado, Puerto Rico Occupation: Human biology major at University of Puerto Rico Identifies as: Lesbian Relationship status: Partnered 6 1/2 years

When I met my partner, Ana Maria, I lived with my parents. I was only 16 and about to start my senior year in high school. She was 12 years older. We met in a mall where we were both working. At that time I didn't even think of myself as a lesbian. But from the moment she asked me if I was, I started questioning myself, and after three months of friendship we became a couple. We kept our relationship a secret for about a year until my family started questioning my friendship with her. After a confrontation with my parents, I had to leave home and go live with her. I do believe that the first time you meet someone there is a special bond that makes a relationship possible. The first time I met Ana it was like I had known her for a long time--we just clicked. We were two strangers who could relate to each other.

Mark Davis Age: 41 Residence: West Hollywood, Calif. Occupation: Editor-writer Identifies as: Gay Relationship status: Dating four months

It was 13 years ago. I was dating this guy who wanted me to meet his best friend and his best friend's partner, Eduardo. The minute I laid eyes on Eduardo, I got very shy and nervous. He was one of the most handsome men I'd ever seen in my life. Boyfriends and partners came and went, and Eduardo and I never seemed to be single at the same time, but it finally did happen earlier this year. I bumped into him at a Silver Lake dive bar near where he lived. That was the first time the two of us hooked up. It was a memorable night. I've had two very-long-term relationships. I understand how difficult they can be. I know it takes a lot of work, and, well, once in my life I'd like to do it right. I'm not sure where this is going, but I'm loving every minute of it for right now.

Paul Bashline Age: 39 Residence: Oklahoma City Occupation: Interior designer and full-time med student Identifies as: Gay Relationship status: Partnered 19 years

I was on active duty in the Air Force, and being in a long-term relationship would have been difficult at best. So I was usually only into one-night stands. I had a group of Air Force friends I hung out with at a local gay park. We usually met every day after work or every weekend to hang out and drink beer. Hey, it was the late '80s--what can I say? One particular afternoon I noticed a new car drive through with a very hot-looking guy. After a few weeks of him driving through the park, I decided to try to stand in his way so that he would be forced to stop, but he just drove around me. Then while walking out of a local gay club with some friends, I saw the guy walking toward me. We talked, and I found out his name was Eddie. Later in the week he finally stopped in the park, and we talked for a while. Years later he was deployed to Desert Storm and needed someone to take care of his dog, so I just moved into his apartment without him knowing. When he came home he found we were living together, and we still are to this day.

Wendy Thompson Age: 33 Residence: Loveland, Colo. Occupation: Accountant Identifies as: Gay Relationship status: Partnered 12 years

My partner, Vicki, and I met at an event called Festival in the Park. We were both working for the weekend for mutual friends who owned and operated a doughnut--cotton candy--snow cone stand for these types of vendor events. I was 21, and she was 29. We spent two days flirting and laughing while making cotton candy together. I met her two small kids on the second day, and the rest is history. We were definitely attracted to each other right away, and we still have that passion. So, a park--a great place to pick up a great woman.

John Egan Age: 41 Residence: Redfern, Australia Occupation: University professor Identifies as: Gay Relationship status: Partnered two years; married eight months

Maximilian and I met on Gaydar.com, and it was strictly going to be a hookup. I had temporarily relocated to Australia for work; he was weeks out of a 10-year relationship. The first time we got together we had awesome sex, but there was that magic of potential there too. A week later we went to a bad movie and had mediocre Chinese barbecue for dinner, and the next thing I knew he was sleeping in my apartment. I'm tickled that he is "the trick that stuck around"--it reflects our lives, individually and shared.

David Schuller Age: 43 Residence: Astoria, N.Y. Occupation: Legal secretary and actor Identifies as: Gay Relationship status: Engaged one year

I saw Sean on the altar every Sunday. I thought he was a priest. I had a little crush on him, but he's tiny and preppy, and I'm a big 01' bear and never would have thought he would be interested. When we finally got down to a face-to-face meeting he was cleaning up the altar after Mass. I went up to him and said, "Hi, I'm David," and he gave me a big hug and said, "I feel like I know you already; we should go out to dinner or for coffee or something." We went for beers at a neighborhood bar-restaurant where my gay friends and I hang out. I started braying about disappointments in past relationships and how I just wanted to find a relationship "where two men find their synthesis, with God as its source, and aren't afraid to belong to one another." Sean replied, "I believe I can help you with that." On our third date I was walking him to the subway. I gave him a kiss and watched him walk down the steps, when he sealed the deal: He looked back and waved goodbye again. I proposed to him six months later. We've been apart maybe three times since then.

Donovan Whitehurst Age: 32 Residence: San Francisco Occupation: Account administrator Identifies as: Gay Relationship status: Partnered two years

I first met Fred through an online message board I belong to called DancingBearsSF. It's a group of huskier, hairier guys who also happen to dig clubs and house music. We met on New Year's Day on a dance floor, both dressed in pajamas. While I had on some comfy pajama bottoms, Fred showed up in a baby-blue thermal onesie with counting sheep all over it. I was utterly smitten. He asked me for a kiss. The attraction was instant. Our first date was low-key, romantic, and simple. He was smart, funny, and very sexy. He told me that he had become attracted to me through the posts I was writing for the board. I was flattered--and turned on even more. I've never been one to believe that people who meet in bars don't or won't last in the long run. I feel the same way about chatting and meeting folks online. In the end, it's all about how you communicate outside those places. If you're spending all your time in a bar, you've probably found a great drinking buddy. And if you're spending all of your time online, you're probably not communicating at all. My partner, Fred, and I met in both places, and we now share a home and life together outside of both.

Demi Wiemann Age: 26 Residence: Janesville, Wis. Occupation: Graduate student Identifies as: Lesbian Relationship status: Partnered two years

I met my girlfriend, Gaia, at a women's hockey game at the University of Wisconsin, I went with a friend, and we sat next to Gain. I had a boyfriend at the time, and according to Gaia, I was so "out of her league" that she never even thought of pursuing me romantically. A few weeks later I ran into her at a local gay dance club. The first thing out of her mouth was "What's your beef?" Unassuming, I replied, "Not much. I am going to Europe in a week." I must have misunderstood her, because I guess her question really was, Do I like girls? She bought me a drink, and we danced. She smelled amazing. But we didn't kiss. Later I went over to watch a movie at her place. I was in her room, and I remember holding her hand, to her surprise. After the first movie she asked me if she could kiss me, and I said yes. Then she asked me to stay over. I said no but did it anyway. The next week, when I was in Europe, I thought about her all the time. Many of my gay and straight friends question why I am with her. They say I am too hot for her. This has never made sense to me, because I think Gain is beautiful. Right now we are so happy. We have a dog together and can't wait to be done with school next year and eventually buy a house and maybe have kids. I can't imagine life without her.

Michael Santiago Age: 25 Residence: Madison, Wis. Occupation: Graduate student in chemistry Identifies as: Gay Relationship status: Single

As a Hispanic gay man, I wish there was a place near me where gay people could go out and dance to Latin music while not fearing for their lives. I like going to the local gay club, but it's a completely different culture compared to the one that I grew up in. So I end up feeling empty every time I go out--either to the very straight Latin club or the local gay club. It's bad enough that I have to deal with being a minority; now I have to deal with being a minority within a minority. As for relationships, I feel uncomfortable every time I go to the gay club, so I'm unable to connect with people. Unless I want to be alone for the rest of my life, I'll have to adapt to the culture that surrounds me. Dancing for the sake of dancing, and getting to know people, not as a prelude to a one-night stand.

Elissa Barrett Age: 35 Residence: Los Angeles Occupation: Housing attorney Identifies as: Lesbian Relationship status: Married two years

My wife, Zsa Zsa, and I attend a GLBT synagogue in Los Angeles. One year we were both volunteering during High Holy Days--Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. She was a greeter at the door. I was singing in the choir. Our rebbetzin (rabbi's wife) knew that both of us were single. She asked me what I was looking for in a girlfriend. I told her no one under 30, no one who wasn't done sowing her wild oats, and definitely someone who could carry on a good conversation. The rebbetzin then walked over to my wife-to-be--the author of Secret Service: Untold Stories of Lesbians in the Military--and said, "See that girl. She's funny. She's a lawyer. She wants to get married. You should ask her out." Less than two years later we were married by our rabbi in a beautiful ceremony hosted by my parents. Our rebbetzin and rabbi shared the dance floor as we opened the festivities with a breathtaking hora. What a shadchin (matchmaker)!

Devon Blosch Age: 20 Residence: College Station, Texas Occupation: Student Identifies as: Gay Relationship status: Partnered 2 1/2 years

My partner, Darrell, and I met online. I hate telling people that because they think we won't last. People think it's taboo, that some liar might rape you. But we took it slow, cautious, and we've been together for 2 1/2 years now and are still going strong. In fact, we recently moved in together and opened a joint bank account as a way of committing to each other. We met on www.xy.com, a gay magazine Web site for teens, where we e-mailed each other for some time before we lost touch for about a month. I don't remember why, but we struck up a conversation up again and started chatting on instant-messenger programs. I started to get romantically interested, and I guess he did too because he asked if l wanted to meet in person. I was a senior in high school, and Darrell was a sophomore in college. We met at the only mall in College Station--Post Oak Mail. We arranged a specific time and spot, the Sonic in the food court. I was so nervous. Darrell was in line getting his signature drink, a Route 44 Vanilla Dr. Pepper. I knew it was him, and we couldn't stop smiling at each other. We introduced ourselves formally and walked around the mall. Two weeks later we became legitimate boyfriends.

Kymberli Martinez Age: 27 Residence: Davis, Calif. Occupation: Bookkeeper and tax preparer Identifies as: Lesbian Relationship status: Partnered two years

My partner, Cindi, and I met in an online pagan group. We e-mailed each other (as friends) for two years, wrote letters, and talked on the phone for almost a year. I was living in Seattle at the time, and she was in Ventura, Calif. The summer of 2003, I went through a really bad breakup, and we talked on the phone daily. That October, I flew to Ventura to meet her for the first time, and a month later she moved up to Seattle to be with me. In April of 2004 we moved back to California. We're planning our commitment ceremony for Hay 1, 2006. I never intended to find my life partner online, but we would never have met any other way.

David Nall Age: 38 Residence: Baton Rouge, La. Occupation: Entrepreneur Identifies as: Gay Relationship status: Partnered 131/2 years

I was working as a manager at a local convenience store in December 1992. Knowing I was single, one of my coworkers told me about a blond man who worked at the restaurant next door, One afternoon, my coworker called me from my office, telling me that the blond was on his way to our store from the restaurant. I took over working the cash register, rang up his purchase, and wrote my phone number on the receipt. What I didn't know until later was that the blond took his purchase out of the bag and handed the bag to a coworker. Luckily, the coworker realized that the number wasn't for him and gave it to the blond. He called me a week later and said his name was Scott. We started dating and three months later moved in together. That was 131/2 years ago, and we're still happily in love.

Catherine Campbell Age: 18 Residence: Ottawa, Canada Occupation: Political science major at Ottawa University Identifies as: Lesbian Relationship status: Partnered 11/2 years

I've been with my girlfriend, Brigitte, for a year and a half now, and we met in an unlikely place: not at a gay bar or on the Internet but in mechanics class in high school. The first day of my second semester in 11th grade, I walked into that class and saw this stunning and somewhat mysterious girl sitting at a table, so I went over and sat beside her. I chatted her up, and little did I know that she was a lesbian. I had hoped it in my heart. She was gorgeous. I actually didn't do too well in that class--I was too busy talking to her and trying to impress her. We go to a public school, so we didn't have a problem being together. She is amazing in so many ways, and I'm so thankful I found her.