Dating lexicon · Community
DL (“down low”) means men who have sex with men but present as straight; “discreet” means not wanting to be recognised.
“DL” stands for “on the down low”, meaning in secret. It describes men who have sex with men but present themselves as heterosexual to the outside world or aren’t out. The term comes from the African American scene of the 1990s.
You’ll often read “discreet” in profiles. What’s meant is: I don’t want to be seen or recognised – perhaps because of family, work or the people around me. That often means no face picture and few personal details.
The reasons are as varied as the people. For some it’s a transitional phase, for others a permanent state. Both deserve respect.
“Keeping it discreet, pic in the chat.”
On DaddyBoy
Respect it when someone wants to stay discreet, and don’t pass on anything he confides in you. If you still feel unsure whether someone is genuine, look out for the Verified badge on the profile.
Related
- BeardA beard is a pretend girlfriend or wife who helps a gay man hide his homosexuality from the outside world.
- Coming outComing out means becoming aware of your own sexual orientation and telling others – often a lifelong process.
- MascMasc stands for “masculine” and describes a pointedly manly manner; “masc4masc” is seen as exclusionary.
- CruisingCruising is looking for sex partners in public places such as parks, car parks or motorway service areas.