The Welcoming Committee blog

Shit Gays Should Know: The Tragedy of The Trade

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:47:00 -0400

One of the few things I loath about professional baseball is the instability of a team, which is often being restructured through trades. The trading of players between teams is an unavoidable circumstance of the business. Similar to itching being an unavoidable aspect of growing a beard, or ordering Chinese food at 2 AM being the unavoidable result of getting drunk (…OK, maybe that’s just me, but you get the point). Trades happen, and when trades happen to players that you have committed your heart to, the emotional fallout can be ugly.

I am normally a composed and level-headed individual, friends sometimes even use the word “sweetheart” to describe me (…even though a piece of my soul dies each time they do). But when rumors started swirling earlier this season about the possible trade of my favorite Red Sox player Jacoby Elsbury…I started to get loopy. Do not for one moment think I won’t chain myself to a ticket turnstile in protest of this event actually happening…because I will.

Just take a look at this smile and try to muster the strength to say you wouldn’t be heartbroken to lose him too -

The Montreal Takeover, as told by Tina Fey

Fri, 10 May 2013 19:24:00 -0400

You’re alarm goes off on Saturday, June 22nd, and at first you’re like:

But then you remember it’s #DestinationTakeover: Montreal day and you’re all:

Jumping into the shower, you begin to think

Upon arriving at South Station you climb on the bus…

find a spot, sit down next to your new friend

And then TWC starts handing out beers & survival kits

So you look to the your new insta-friend in the seat next to you and

After arriving and checking into the hotel, you & the roomies decide that the party needs to get started early

Oh sweet, TWC just stopped by the hotel room to drop off some booze!

Alright, now you have to choose between the walking tour, food tour, and bar crawl…

You decide…

leave the hotel and storm the city. Once you’re done, you head back to your room and start getting all dolled up to go out with the Montreal GQB gays

You hit the pre-game bar

Then you decide to eat dinner cause you start thinking…

Phew. You ate. Time to hit the city.

You look around and see some eye candy

and continue the dance party. Closing time rolls around and your brain is deciding if you can handle the second nightlife shift. Oh hell, #YOLO right?

As soon as you hit the next bar you start dancing. And you’re pretty sure you look like this:

But you might look a little more like this

But it’s cool cause normally people would be all:

But you’re on a TWC takeover, so its NBD

Then you get some pics from your friends back in Boston to show you how their nights are going

And you realize how grateful you are that you got on the bus

Then the lights come up at 4am and you decide you should probably head back to your hotel with the rest of the troops. On your way home you stumble on a late night pizza place

And thank goodness you ate it cause you go to bed and wake up without a hangover. So you’re all

But as you and the rest of the group are going to leave you remember how hard you danced last night

You find a spot to eat and everyone starts talking about the night before

After finishing up, you explore the city for a while

and then head back to load the bus

Back on board, maybe you listen to some music, maybe you play Candy Crush, maybe you just take a nap

But it’s ok, cause you know there will be other #DestinationTakeovers with The Welcoming Committee

And then on Monday morning, you’re friends gchat you to find out what happened in Montreal, and you’re just

because what happens in Montreal stays in Montreal.

Tickets? Itinerary? Lodging? Click and you shall receive.

Shit Gays Should Know: HUGE NEWS - Brittney Griner came out. And? crickets?

Thu, 09 May 2013 10:51:00 -0400

Last week you may have heard about NBA player Jason Collins coming out publicly (…and if not, you should probably dig your head out from wherever it is buried). And while Collins’ achievement was unprecedented and courageous, the moment completely eclipsed the fellow coming out of WNBA #1 draft pick Brittney Griner -

Not to say that any closet crashing is more special than another, but here we are talking about an athlete who is just beginning her pro career and tempts to be one of the best the game has ever seen. In four years at Baylor University, Griner won a national championship and broke numerous school and NCAA records (…including a college career 736 defensive blocked shots…a record in both men’s and women’s college basketball).

Arguments to the downplay of Griner’s news include reasoning that gay women are more accepted in athletics and that the WNBA is not as prestigious as the NBA. Which, in all fairness, may be true…but it’s a shame that this story isn’t as highly celebrated or appreciated. The gay community needs to rally behind one coming out story as it rallies behind all of them. And if there’s one thing men’s sports should be taking serious notes on about the dynamics of women’s sports…it is acceptance.

For a little more Brittney:

Griner addresses her coming out in the New York Times

NBA owner Marc Cuban trying to get in some slimy PR on Griner’s behalf (via ESPN)

And here she is recording only the second dunk in women’s basketball NCAA tournament history

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

20% off Bartschland tickets, a 7,000 square foot pop-up party, this Saturday

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:10:38 -0400

This Saturday night, at 10pm, the Revere Hotel is throwing a 7,000 square foot pop-up party in conjunction with nightlife queen Susanne Bartsch. After New York Magazine called Bartsch “the ringmaster presiding over a lawless carnival,” the Revere quickly realized a lack of our presence would be almost inconceivable.

So without further ado, allow us to present discounted tickets for TWC members to “One Night in Bartschland.” Use “TWCREVERE” to get 20% off here.

We’re also throwing a pre-party down the street. Join the rest of the troops there by clicking here.

Viva!

Shit Gays Should Know: When straights come to visit, Pt 1

Wed, 08 May 2013 10:02:00 -0400

It’s that time of year when the weather is finally nice in Boston. Your best straight buddy wants to visit (yay!) and you need to take him out while he’s here.

Panic.

“OH.EM.GEE. Where the hell am I going to take him!? Can’t go to Estate…or Guilt…or HOB…Club Café? Maybe he’ll think Jacques is…entertaining?”

No. Shit.

Chances are you’ve experienced this before. If not, trust me, you will the older (read: gayer) you get. Let’s be honest, unless it’s a GQB, most of us haven’t hung out in a straight bar since we embraced our attraction to the same sex and love of all things which could be loosely interpreted as “brunch.”

Calm yourself. I’m here. Below is a foolproof itinerary for your super straight weekend. (This time we’ll cover the horror of a straight frat boy coming to town. I’ll cover other prototypical visitors (family, best girl friend, etc.) in future posts.)

1. Friday = Fenway: Pray to all that is holy that the Red Sox are in town. Lets assume they are.

First step, buy some cheap bleacher seats (he’ll think it’s cool and it won’t cost you much). Second, find/borrow a baseball cap, throw on that one pair of cargo shorts you saved in case you ever go hiking, and get ready to drink really bad, overpriced beer. Start at Cask ‘n Flagon before the game, get a few drinks in, then head inside for the first pitch. (Pro tip: While he’s drinking beer, you can chug Smirnoff Ice or Twisted Tea as they are sold at the ballpark!)
After the game, spill out onto Lansdowne Street and head on over to Lansdowne Pub (trying to make this easy for you to remember in your Smirnoff/baseball-boredom-induced coma). Sure this place is oppressively straight, but it isn’t a dive and has a dancefloor attached. Let’s be honest, NOTHING is more disturbing/entertaining than watching drunk straights grind…so you’re welcome in advance.

2. Saturday = Straight Club: Prepare yourself for house music, sweaty straights, and bros who end up drunk and fighting in downtown Boston…Basically what it’s like to be on the Real World without the fame.

Invite some girlfriends and gays over who are willing to take one for the team and go out with you (this will show you who your TRUE friends are) and start the drinking early. Once you’ve all got a good buzz, head to Down Ultra Lounge. Yes, you’ll likely hate this place, but it’ll make your straight buddy think Boston has a club scene. He’ll down tons of Redbull & vodkas and, with any luck, might just get drunk enough to ask you to take him to his first gay bar! Also, did I mention sweaty straights and bros who end up fighting…Might not be so bad after all…
Get some pizza on your drunk stumble home. You deserve it, and straights won’t judge you for eating that late at night like gays will.

3. Sunday = Stop: As in stop thinking so hard.

You just expended LOTS of energy and patience taking them to a sports bar and/or some dark smelly club with pulsing lights…Embrace the hangover, lounge around, and grab some breakfast sandwiches from Dunkin. If you’ve made it this far, chances are your buddy has had a great time and you’ve already done enough.

Want more info? Check out OutGrade.com to search for bars, restaurants, and clubs and see how rainbow-friendly they are.

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

Ask Us Anything. Right now

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

TWC,

Crew & Corps are on Facebook (here) until 1pm E.S.T. today for a Facebook chat (#LoveFest) to answer any questions you might have about what we do at TWC each and every day. Start leaving them in the comments below this photo and we will jump in to respond igaydiately.

Viva!

Insta-friends for tonight's guerrilla queer bar

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:00:53 -0400

Coming alone to GQB tonight? Wondering who you’ll hang out with when you arrive? Worry no more! The Corps will be holding court from 10pm-midnight in the arcade room on the 1st floor of Jose McIntyre’s. (Yes, there’s actually an arcade room.) Show up, head to the “Corps-ner,” and you’ve got insta-friends.

Viva La Corps-ner!

$50 off Destination Takeover Montreal

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:01:16 -0400

The troops are rallying. The buses are filling up. Montreal’s GQB army is anxiously awaiting our arrival. On June 22nd we take our first international city by storm for 2 days and 1 night. Find out more about our takeover plans here, or just hit the ticket page here and use “busloads” to get $50 off until next Tuesday (5/7) at midnight.

Or wanna go for free? Check this out.

Viva la Montreal!

Guerrilla Queer Bar Boston: Jose McIntyre's

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:00:57 -0400

Tomorrow night at 9pm, we gather the troops and engulf one of Boston’s douchiest straight bars: Jose McIntyre’s (map).

And for those of you interested in rallying beforehand, we’ll be throwing a takeover pre-party across the street at Granary Tavern from 8 - 9:30pm. Get the glitter guns ready. It’s almost time for battle.

Viva la troops!

Shit Gays Should Know (Sports Column): The (New) Uniform

Thu, 02 May 2013 09:43:00 -0400

I have a lot of gay friends that shy away from watching sports, and though I fight the constant battle of sparking their interest, nothing I’ve said or done has changed much of their attitudes. Yet…behold…I may just have the evidence I need to turn these standpoints around.

Welcome to the world of NAKED SPORTS!

Ok, not totally naked…but professional athletes seem quite keen these days on taking their pants/shorts off during competition.

During a recent European Tour golf tournament golfer Andreas Harto removed his pants to play a shot from the bank of a water hazard (0:44 mark for his adorable half-naked shimmy across the green…)

Bonus Points (Golfer Henrik Stenson with a similar shot via 2009) -

And if that wasn’t enough…you may want to sit down for the next video of soccer/futbol player Mirko Vucinic (But back off…because this man is my future husband, so all of you can just give up that dream now) Enjoy! -

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

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:40:00 -0400

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.

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

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:30:15 -0400

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

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:01:15 -0400

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

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:01:13 -0400

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

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:19:00 -0400

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

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:07:51 -0400

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

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:33:00 -0400

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

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:05:44 -0400

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

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:02:00 -0400

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)

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:02:00 -0400

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.