People love to poke around. Especially when it comes to the personal lives of the folks who make us laugh or keep us informed every morning. If you’ve spent any time reading The Washington Post, specifically the "Date Lab" column or the humor pieces that used to grace the Post’s magazine, you’ve definitely run into Drew Goins. He’s sharp. He’s witty. And naturally, because he writes so candidly about dating, social awkwardness, and the general absurdity of being a human in D.C., the question "is Drew Goins gay" pops up in search bars more often than you’d think.
People want to know who they’re reading.
Goins isn’t just some faceless staffer. For years, he was a key voice in the Post’s lifestyle section, often acting as the relatable narrator for the chaotic world of modern dating. When you write about relationships, people start to feel like they know you. They look for clues. They want to see themselves reflected in your stories.
The Public Record on Drew Goins
So, let’s get into the actual facts because the internet is a mess of speculation. Drew Goins is openly gay. This isn't a secret, and it’s not something he’s tried to hide behind a wall of journalistic "objectivity."
In his writing, Goins has been incredibly transparent about his identity. You can find references to his life and his perspective as a gay man scattered throughout his body of work at The Washington Post. He doesn’t treat it like a political statement or a "coming out" moment in every piece; instead, it’s just a natural part of his narrative voice. It's there in the anecdotes about bad dates, the observations about queer culture in Washington, and the general vibe of his humor.
He’s a humorist. Humorists work by exposing their own vulnerabilities. If he weren't honest about who he was, the jokes wouldn't land. They’d feel plastic.
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Why the question keeps trending
It’s weirdly fascinating how we categorize writers. For Goins, his work on "Date Lab"—a column where two strangers are sent on a blind date and then interviewed separately—placed him at the center of the dating conversation. Even though he was often the one asking the questions, readers turned the lens back on him.
They wondered: What’s his deal? Who is he dating? This curiosity isn't always malicious. Often, it’s about representation. In a city like D.C., which has one of the highest LGBTQ+ populations per capita in the United States, having a prominent voice at the "paper of record" who shares that experience matters. It adds a layer of authenticity to the lifestyle coverage that might otherwise feel a bit too "straight-laced" or old-school.
Beyond the Label: The Career of a Humorist
If you only focus on the question of whether Drew Goins is gay, you’re honestly missing the best part of his work. The guy is a master of the short-form essay. He spent years at the Post as an editor and writer, often collaborating with Pat Myers on the "Style Invitational," which is basically a cult-favorite wordplay and humor contest.
Writing humor is hard. Writing humor for a major newspaper is even harder.
You have to be smart but not elitist. You have to be edgy but not "get the paper sued" edgy. Goins navigated that line with a lot of grace. His style is self-deprecating. It’s the kind of writing where he makes himself the butt of the joke so you don’t feel so bad about your own life.
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- He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- He moved into the high-pressure environment of D.C. journalism.
- He survived the transition of the Post from a traditional print powerhouse to a digital-first beast.
His identity is a piece of that puzzle, but his talent is what kept him on the masthead.
The UNC Connection
Goins frequently references his roots. At UNC, he was already honing that specific comedic voice. He worked on The Daily Tar Heel, which, if you know anything about college journalism, is basically a gladiator pit for aspiring writers. It’s where he learned to take the "is Drew Goins gay" type of public scrutiny in stride. When you're a public figure on a college campus, everyone knows your business. He carried that thick skin into his professional life.
Navigating Modern Identity in Journalism
There was a time, not that long ago, when journalists were told to keep their personal lives entirely invisible. You were a blank slate. But the internet changed the rules. Now, readers demand personality. They want to follow a "person," not a "brand."
Goins represents that shift. By being open about being gay, he didn't "bias" his reporting; he enriched it. When he writes about the awkwardness of a first date, it doesn't matter if that date was with a man or a woman in terms of the emotion—the sweat, the silences, the "should I text them back" anxiety—but the specific context of being a gay man in the professional world adds a layer of truth that readers appreciate.
It's also worth noting that D.C. is a small town in a big city's body. People see him out. He’s part of the community. There is no "scandal" here because there is no "secret."
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Common Misconceptions
Some people assume that because he worked on "Date Lab," he must be some kind of romance expert or "Hitch"-style matchmaker. Honestly? If you read his stuff, he’s the first to tell you he’s just as confused as the rest of us.
Another misconception is that his career is defined solely by his orientation. While he’s a prominent gay voice in media, his work spans everything from political satire to complex editing projects. He’s a journalist who happens to be gay, not a "gay journalist" whose only beat is LGBTQ+ issues. There’s a big difference there.
The Washington Post Legacy
His tenure at the Post coincided with some of the biggest shifts in media history. We’re talking about the Jeff Bezos era. The "Democracy Dies in Darkness" era. Through all that heavy, serious, world-changing reporting, Goins provided the necessary levity. He was the "palate cleanser."
You’d read 3,000 words on a Senate subcommittee hearing and then turn to Goins to remember that life is also about bad puns and awkward social interactions. That’s a vital service.
The Verdict
Is Drew Goins gay? Yes. He is.
But if that’s the only thing you know about him, you’re missing out on some of the sharpest humor writing to come out of the East Coast in the last decade. Whether he’s dissecting the weird habits of D.C. residents or reflecting on his own life, he does it with a level of honesty that is rare in a world of filtered Instagram lives and curated PR statements.
If you’re looking to follow his work or understand his perspective better, the best thing you can do is dive into the Post archives. Look for his work in the Sunday Magazine or his contributions to the humor contests. You’ll find a writer who is comfortable in his skin and even more comfortable making you laugh at his expense.
Actionable Takeaways for Readers
- Read the Archives: Go back and look at his "Date Lab" contributions or his humor essays in the Washington Post Magazine. It's a masterclass in tone.
- Support Local Humor: In an era of AI-generated content (ironic, right?), human humorists like Goins who share real, lived experiences are more valuable than ever.
- Look for Authenticity: When questioning a public figure's identity, look at their own words. Goins has never been shy about his life; the answers are usually right there in the text.
- Follow the Evolution: Writers like Goins often move between roles—from editing to writing to creative consulting. Keep an eye on his byline as it pops up in new spaces.