Dear New Member~
I'd like to give you a warm welcome here at the Forum, a good place to come, you have found the right section and if you browse around may find others in similar circumstances. Many, both straight and gay, are alone.
Please bear in mind these are just my thoughts and others may have very different approaches. Dating is a time when you open yourself up to vulnerability, it does not always work and it can hurt a lot - that is quite natural.
I doubt very much if your ethnicity or age will have much bearing on the matter. Inexperience may make it harder to start with, but I'm sure you can overcome that .
I guess you have three problems, the first being the anxiety that holds you back, (which may not be limited to social interaction), but tends to be a loop. you are reluctant, nothing happens, so you feel it is an inadequacy on your part so you become even more reluctant.
May I suggest that you, like me, seek clinical help to see if your anxiety warrants medical assistance. I found it was the only way to improve.
The second is where to meet like people, and here I'm not all that much of a help. I'm not a fan of dating apps, and tend ot thing taking part in LGBTQIA+ events & festivals, any appropriate local social spaces, concerts featuring queer female performers, library reading on similar subjects and - well I've run out, it will be up to your ingenuity.
I'd also suggest QLIFE may know of suitable resources in your area.
The third is what to do to actually start dating. Perhaps it might be helpful to be on the lookout for interesting persons you would like to know better rather than having an undefined desire to "date". Actual dating is a 2 person activity, the other person will probably be looking too -so you are not alone
Show an interest in them and there life - be a good listener. This will not only give you an entry into their lives but also allow you to judge if they are a lesbian too. The you have to decide how to being the subject up, my own thoughts are to simply show more and more interest and express enjoyment in their company until it becomes obvious you want intimacy with them or they want it with you
The last thing I want to say is try to find someone who is kind. That is probably the most important thing. They may not be the first person you regard as an opportunity.
If you would like to say how you get on that would be great
Croix
