I don't have any recent referrals, I was out of the hobby for a bit, I'm struggling to find any providers that don't ask for references. Anyone have any suggestions on who I can see that can refer me and / or doesn't ask for referrals in the detroit metro area.

Many of them have their own screening process for newbies. Don't be afraid to go through such a process. They want to be just as discreet as you and you have to respect their security ( and your's as well).

For instance, employment verification. No reasonable provider is going to risk her safety on seeing a stranger.

You can trust Anastasia on this one.

I think i've used every way which can be used by now.  The verification sites. P411 and RS2K, Work verification, previous provider referral, Being whitelisted on here.  And the one thing I think I can tell you is.. its going to depend on what the provider wants to use. Every provider is different and you'll just have to follow the process they use.  

Under no circumstance be foolish enough to give out work info.  Get verified thru the many verification sites like 411.  If a lady won't accept them, then move on to one that will.  Plenty of fish in the sea................

Gina doesn't actually follow through with verifying employment. This came out with the drama a few months ago when she wouldn't let providers link their websites through p411. If he gets a profile and has no references as he says, it is just a waste of money because most providers would want to verify him through other means.

to visit a strip club - Penthouse, Flight Club, Coliseum, etc. The prospects there have to be better than the providers who would see you without references!

I returned to these proclivities about 18 months ago. The simple solution was joining P411.  As it turned out, Gina and I knew (of) each other from about 10 years earlier when we both were active on another site. She verified my employment (a fact I confirmed with my HR employee, lol) and also called my office extension to speak to me directly... no big deal. My first meeting was with a terrific lady while I was out-of-town who understood that I was returning to hobby and took my recent P411 membership without any references. It might take you a bit of work, but P411 makes it fairly easy.