Gays are everywhere, so it’s no surprise that a myriad of websites exist out there catering to the community. Here are my picks for sites offering travel advice, community-specific news and dating options. This is by no means a definitive list, but I hope it offers a decent jumping-off point for queer web newbies.

News: Whether you’re looking for serious news or puff pieces (literally), these sites all offer news of the world with an LGBT bend. Queerty.com is a news aggregate for all things pink; its irreverent style and mix of hard and soft news (stop snickering) makes this site a fun read. For a more local slant, I usually go with Shanghaiist.com, whose team of bloggers break most stories related to the local scene. For hard news, Washingtonblade.com offers a serious take, though its American focus loses them points internationally. Afterellen.com is popular for the ladies and a favorite among lesbian friends.

Travel: These sites help you pick a hotel in the heart of the gayborhood–wherever you roam. The Dutch site Nighttours.com offers up-to-date and concise nightlife recommendations for top-tier cities around the globe. If your travels are centered in Asia, then Fridae.com is the best option; its listings and recommendations were invaluable when I was new to Shanghai and the most detailed and up-to-date of any Asia specific site. Afterellen.com also deserves mention in this category too, with the forums yielding tons of first hand info on where the grrls gather.

Dating: Options abound to help those of a persuasion get together, and these sites offer a variety of options to find love (or lust). A Shanghai-centered popular bet is Gays.com (not to be confused with the American chat site gay.com) which has a strong foothold in our fair city due to direct involvement in the local community. Internationally, the market is little more crowded with Manhunt.net (heavy with Americans), Planetromeo.com (lots of continental Europeans) and Gaydar.co.uk (mainly Brits, and the slowest of the lot to operate in China), duking it out for top spot. For ladies, the pickings are considerably slimmer with no discernible local activity being reported online by my Sapphic sisters. The best bets as far as my untrained eye can tell would be Gaydargirls.co.uk and Okcupid.com if you are on the road or want to be local pioneer.

Off topic, but I just heard that Shanghai Pride looks to be on for October and they need volunteers. Email volunteers@shanghaipride.com.

What websites do you have bookmarked for all your LGBT needs? Tell us here.