I never attended a party where people were not aware of my situation.
That way others would search me out and engage in conversation for their entertainment and mine also.
Sometimes I would wind up with a partner, usually a girl and other times not.
Other guests always knew who I was and that I was not gay.
I did leave a party with a male escort on occasions but it was with a group and the poor guy only went because he could not find a girl.
On these occasions I did not mind being second best. :-)