GayGirlNet.com, the lesbian social networking site, has just celebrated both its 14,000th member and an upgrade which brings its functionality inline with the biggest social networking sites.

The site is run as a Social Enterprise and will donate a percentage of any profits made to the two charities it supports: The Albert Kennedy Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

The site also offers registered charities free banner advertising - charities that currently advertise on the site include the NSPCC, The Dogs Trust and The Cats Protection League.

Jane Hamilton, the site’s founder, created GayGirlNet.com in February 2008 after searching for a site where she could meet other gay women but in a "networking rather than cruisey", environment. She didn't find one and so decided to start her own site.

It has more than 14 000 users from 127 countries. A woman logs onto the site every 3 minutes to meet women, make new friends, travel and chat.

The site allows women to chat, send private messages, log into a communal chat room, send Instant Messages with a Facebook style chat bar, write and share blogs, participate in polls, add photos, organise events, start groups free classifieds.

Its search tool allows users to search for women by location, relationship status, or by the keyword of their choice. The site has advanced privacy settings so members can be in complete control of what is visible and who sees their information.

The site encourages women to interact in person at special meet-ups which are currently being planned across countries all over the world, as well as in the UK.

Jane said:
"The vision of the site is to create a worldwide network of friendly women who not only offer friendship and support online, but actually meet up in real life and form genuine friendships and relationships.

"Women from all over the world are making friends and getting on a plane to visit other members. There have also been 4 civil partnerships and one baby!

"The site offers a safe haven for those lesbians who cannot take the chance of being outed for fear of prejudice, state laws, religious views and family condemnation.

"The site receives messages from women who live in countries where it's not safe for them to come out for fear of being arrested or worse. Unfortunately the United Arab Emirates banned the site."

For more information view:
GayGirlNet.com