The Welcoming Committee blog

Shit Gays Should Know (Sports Column): The 0.03%

I was slated to introduce myself to the Shit Gays Should Know blog this week, as your weekly sports source, with a delicious little piece (…including pictures) about athletes taking their clothes off during sporting events. (Kidding…well, sort of…) Yet here we are, with the only breaking news I would even consider pushing back my half-naked athlete post for…ladies and gents, America has it’s very first openly gay male professional athlete. Kudos to Jason Collins of the NBA’s Washington Wizards - 

To put this in perspective…let me break it down:

4 Major Male Sports:

• MLB (Baseball) > 30 Teams > ~24 Players Per Roster > 0 Openly Gay Athletes
• NFL (Football) > 32 Teams > ~45 Players Per Roster > 0 Openly Gay Athletes
• NHL (Hockey) > 30 Teams > ~20 Players Per Roster > 0 Openly Gay Athletes
• NBA (Basketball) > 30 Teams > ~12 Players Per Roster > 1 Openly Gay Athlete (Jason Collins)

Approximately 3,140 players and only one is gay? .03%? I don’t think so…and this is only considering the current season (…I just don’t feel like doing any further math). Prior to this week there were 0 (…0%) and Collins has bravely changed all of that, he has made history. This man has gotten more attention in the past 24-hours than his entire career. He has followed through with a landmark move that will not define him as gay, but as a human being who took a leap of faith for the acceptance and equality of all.

Further Reading:

Twitter was there to pat him on the back (via ESPN)

Still the shadow of recent rumors that four NFL players are ready to come out: (via HuffPo)

(Buzzfeed) with this excellent info-graphic on the extensive history of openly gay women in sports.

-by Matthew James Broderick - faux Ferris Bueller, cyclist, vintage enthusiast, introverted when not extroverted, check out his portfolio/blog here: MatthewJamesBroderick.com

TWC Newbie Party. Tonight. Here are your insta-friends.

                       

Tonight, we throw our monthly newbie party in Boston for those of you who are new to the movement. Corps members Celeste, Antigoni and Fred will be there with glitter guns blazing to say hey and answer all of your questions about TWC, like:

1. How many people can I plan to make out with at Guerrilla Queer Bar?
2. Do I have to wear Flannel to Flannel Takeover Company, Third Saturdays?
3. What is GQB and how does it relate to TWC?

Whether you’re coming stag or with a busload of gays, just show up at Bella Luna in JP from 6 - 8pm and we’ll already be your insta-friends. Just promise you’ll ditch us when someone better comes along.

More details here.

TWC Newbie Party - April 30th

 

On Tuesday, April 30th, TWC’s Crew and Corps will takeover Bella Luna in Jamaica Plain (map) from 6 - 8pm to say hey to newbies and welcome them to the movement. Show up stag or bring a busload of gays. Either way, just RSVP here to let us know you’re coming and be ready to have some insta-friends.

If you’re showing up solo, don’t worry about knowing anyone. Daniel and Ashley (who look like this) will be there to answer all of your questions and hang out until someone cooler comes along.

Viva.

SuperGQB: The Graduate Student Edition

On April 19th, at 9pm, GQB (Guerrilla Queer Bar) becomes SuperGQB when all 18.953 billion gay graduate students in and around Boston come out of the woodwork to join TWC’s ranks for one night of drinking education. Get in here.

The last time we threw a SuperGQB, gays from all over the country flew in and 1,000 of you destroyed Tequila Rain. While this particular conquest will take place on the opposite side of the river, your mission remains the same: show up en masse, infiltrate a straight bar and get as many trophy husband/wives’ digits as you possibly can.

Viva.

Graduate programs on board (adding more daily):
Harvard (HKS, HLS, HMS, HBS, HGLC)
MIT (Sloan, Engineering)
BC (Law, Arts & Sciences, Social Work)
BU (Law, Theology, Public Health, other grad programs)
Tufts (Medical, other grad programs)
Boston Conservatory
Simmons (MBA, GSLIS)
Regis (MHA)
Salem State (SSW)
NE School of Acupuncture
Babson (MBA)
Brandeis (Heller School)

Don’t see your school’s name on this list but want to? Email Ashley: ashley(at)thewelcomingcommittee(dot)com

Meet TWC Corps Member Kara Smith

Former ’hood: Lexington, MA

Where She Now Slumbers: Cambridge, MA (Inman Square)

Day Job: Associate for Grassroots Mobilization, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

Not-So-Day Job: Cambridge GLBT City Council Commission; Co-organizer for the Lesbian Happy Hour Meetup and of course, TWC Corps member!

Favorite Alcoholic Beverage? Oh, God. Only one? Most likely flavored vodka soda. 

Which celebrity are you currently crushing on? Mariska Hargitay from Law and Order: SVU. Rachel Weisz is a close second. If I can get the two of them together, that would be better. 

Which Golden Girl best describes you? Blanche. She’s sassy and knows her space as a sexual creature. 

Describe yourself in one word. Passionate. 

What is something most people don’t know about you? I’m actually an introvert. 

What is typically your ritual as you get ready to go out for the night? I’ll listen to some cheesy pop dance music, and try on two to three outfits. 

What’s your ideal dream date? To me, it’s more about being with the person than what we do. An ice cream cone can be just as good as a five-course dinner. 

Cats or dogs? Dogs. I do like pussy…cats though. 

How would you describe a TWC event to someone that’s never been to one? Really fun. The right mix of debauchery and friendliness. Good times. You should come!

What does TWC mean to you? Community. It means seeing how many of us are part of the GLBT community, how we can take anything over, and have some drinks. 

What is the most awesome aspect of being a Corps member? Being able to meet people and make them feel welcome. I loving thinking I can make somebody’s night better. I love TWC. I’ve had such a great time at their events, and want to make that happen for others. When you see me, come say hi. 

__
Kara was interviewed, liquored up, and annoyed by fellow Corps member Fred Durso, #4042. To meet the rest of the Corps, go here.

#DestinationTakeover: Montreal - June 22nd & 23rd

Today we announce a bigger, badder and warmer version of #DestinationTakeover: Montreal. And until April 30th, we’re giving you $75 off.

We descend on our first international takeover on June 22nd for two days and one night of insanity. Strap in. We’ll have seats and beds for 200 travelers. Bring a passport. Because they’re cool. And you’ll need it.

Check out the full Montreal takeover website here. But for the #DestinationTakeover fanatics, here are a few highlights:

1. Until April 30th, take $75 off by using promo code: “StormingCanada” here.
2. Montreal’s version of GQB knows about our trip and will be joining us for our evening conquest.
3. Luxury and economy accommodations are available. That means something for everyone.
4. Group captains (people who are bringing 7 or more friends) travel for free. Get that intel here.

Questions? Comments? Glitter? Email Ashley: ashley(at)thewelcomingcommittee(dot)com

The Abba Concert Takeover

TWC Dancing Queens,

It’s finally here. The moment that you’ve been manicuring, bedazzling and coiffing for. Abba, The Concert, is performing live on April 14th. As if our absence would be inappropriate, the Wilbur has set aside a section for TWC. Go here, enter code “TAKEOVER”, and select seats in the “Balcony Right.” SOS. Lay all your love on me. Ok, we’re done.

Tickets sales cut off this Sunday (4/7) at midnight or when they sell out.

Viva!

Ticket link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/010048A2813D4948?did=twc

Guerrilla Queer Bar, April: Tommy Doyle’s

                                   

Tomorrow night, before you storm Tommy Doyle’s in Harvard Square (map) for three floors of unfettered GQB at 9pm, we have two tasks for you:

1. The Corps will be hosting a pre-party at John Harvard’s (map) from 8 - 9:30pm. All of them (click here for Corps porn) will be there. It’s a perfect starting point for folks coming alone to GQB and those looking to stalk Corps members. Yeah, we said it.

2. Since tomorrow’s GQB is also the official Harvard LGBT Spring Fling after party, we suggest you do some studying with this week’s “Stuff” Gays Should Know”: The State (Get it?) of Gay Marriage in America. We’re proud to announce that S.G.S.K. is being taken over by Dan Riviello (author, magician, part-time heartthrob, full time CJ Cregg).

 

Shit Gays Should Know: The State (get it?) of Gay Marriage in America

Repeat after me, “Same-sex marriage is legal in 9 states and the District of Columbia.” Since some of the Supremes couldn’t remember that last week, we thought we should at least make sure the gays could. Say it again. “Same-sex marriage is legal in 9 states and the District of Columbia.” If you remember that, this post has done her job.

And for the overeager tiger mom offspring, let’s take a look at some other numbers worth knowing:

A handful of states allow gays to legally marry (see above - yay equality!), some offer civil unions (aka the “skim milk” of marriage), and others have domestic partnerships (really glittery BFF bracelets). Here’s a quick run-down of the state of gay marriage in America:

• 9.5 states perform legal same-sex marriages
  Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Washington, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. (this is the .5, since it’s not a state but a district or whatever that means)
• 6 states offer civil unions to same-sex couples
  Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island
• 4 states have domestic partnerships
  California, Oregon, Nevada, and Wisconsin (although limited)
• 1 state does not explicitly allow or prohibit same-sex marriage
  New Mexico…um, wtf?  Forget it.  It’s hot as hell and all sandy but there’s no beach? Ain’t nobody got time fo dat!
• 38 states ban same-sex marriage either through legislation or by constitutional amendments
  Too many to list, obvi it’s none of the 9.5.

So there you have it. Lock the doors, lower the blinds, fire up the U-Haul, and start using numbers when talking about marriage.

More info/a really gay graphic timeline of same-sex marriage from the LA Times: http://graphics.latimes.com/usmap-gay-marriage-chronology/

-by Dan Riviello – author, magician, part-time heartthrob, full time CJ Cregg. You can follow him on Twitter at @drivi86.

Meet The Corps on Friday at John Harvard’s (before GQB)

Yesterday we introduced the world to the new face of TWC. Meet “The Corps” and its new shiny website: thecorps.squarespace.com

You’re probably all like, “Why isn’t The Corps hosting a pre-party at John Harvard’s from 8-9pm before this Friday’s GQB in Harvard Square?” And we’re all like, “Done.” (Please join them there.)

But legit, these kids are amazing. When TWC hit its 18 millionth member (read: 13,000) it became clear that Ashley and Daniel, though GORGEOUS, could not spread enough love (and shade where necessary) at TWC events. So we recruited The Corps. And it was good. Real good. On their site you can contact them. Which we encourage you to do…frequently and with reckless abandon.