How to Create Healthy, Safe Partnerships as a Gay Man ft. Tom Bruett

In honor of Pride Month, I’m sitting down with therapist and author Tom Bruett to unpack how gay relationships differ from straight ones—and why so many of us in the LGBTQ+ community struggle with intimacy, identity, and emotional safety in dating. Whether you're queer or an ally, this conversation is packed with insights that go far beyond sexuality—because at the end of the day, we’re all trying to love and be loved in healthier, more secure ways.

We dive deep into the complex, often misunderstood dynamics that shape gay relationships, including:

• Internalized homophobia and the self-hatred that can block connection

• The impact of trauma, especially when you’ve had to hide parts of yourself just to feel safe
• The myth of the “relationship escalator” and how queer folks are rewriting the rules
• Why so many gay men feel alone and how attachment wounds shape that experience
• How dating apps and scarcity mindset reinforce the belief that love isn’t possible
• The importance of differentiation—holding onto yourself and your partner at the same time

If you’re a gay man, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and hopefully a little more hopeful. And if you’re a straight listener—especially if you're in a relationship or doing personal growth work—I promise you’ll walk away with a better understanding of how identity, attachment, and emotional safety shape all relationships. So many of the struggles we discuss are universal—just experienced through a different lens.

Tom also shares tools and insights from his incredible book The Go-To Relationship Guide for Gay Men, and we talk about how to expand your dating mindset, build emotional resilience, and create space for joy—even if you’ve been burned before or doubt that real connection is possible.

Healing resources for anyone struggling with anxious attachment:

• Read dozens of free blogs on how to heal the anxious attachment style on my website, crackliffe.com
• Grab a copy of my new book, Needy No More: The Journey From Anxious to Secure Attachment, at crackliffe.com/needy
• Explore my downloadable healing toolkit for anxious attachers at crackliffe.com/starterkit
• Learn more about the Needy No More coaching program and set up a free consultation at crackliffe.com/coaching
• Follow @crackliffe on Instagram and TikTok for tons more content on all things healing anxious attachment 

To connect with Tom Bruett, follow him @queerrelationshipinstitute on Instagram visit his website at https://www.queerrelationshipinstitute.com/

Keywords: Pride Month, queer relationships, LGBTQ+, mental health, internalized homophobia, dating challenges, second queer adolescence, differentiation, attachment styles, gay relationships, self-compassion, dating advice, emotional health, relationship dynamics, gay men