If it's almost Valentine's day then I like to use 'So, almost Valentine's. Do you usually have plans this time of year / any cool plans?'
Most of the time this is taken as just making small talk. What I'm indirectly asking is 'are you single?'
It's not a direct show of interest but the response can be useful information.
'Do you like / listen to (particular LGBT musicians)?'
What I'm trying to gauge here is how the person feels about LGBT topics and if I'm safe to proceed. Usually people catch on to this pretty quickly. Some even give a smile or a laugh and say 'Yes, I'm not straight' because they're aware that's what I'm trying to figure out.
Particularly funny if you both ask the same question at the same time because then it's just:
_________________
24. Possibly B.A.P.