GoGayDC serves as a social hub for LGBTQ people from across the D.C. Metro area
TJ Flavell's Meetup group offers everything from charitable events to hikes, drag shows to brunches
“I established GoGayDC about 10 years ago,” says TJ Flavell. “It serves as a gathering hub that’s essentially a way to bring the LGBTQ community together and make connections.”
A twice-former president of AGLA and former head of Metro D.C.’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Flavell posts various local events on the GoGayDC Meetup page, ranging from charitable events that benefit local community organizations to weekly running and hiking meetups, to drag shows and brunches at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington.
“I like to mix it up, and have events not only in D.C. but across the river,” he says. “There was a void of information about what was going on, especially for LGBTQ people in Virginia and Maryland. There were definitely some geographic regions that just weren’t being served.”
There are currently about 50 people who Flavell has designated as “content editors.” They are able to update the website with events planned by their respective groups. Utilizing GoGayDC’s social media strings, as well as Meetup’s far-reaching popularity, events listed on GoGayDC can reach up to 10,000 people.
Flavell is especially proud of coordinating two monthly happy hours that have been very successful, one in D.C. at the Embassy Row hotel and a reoccurring “First Friday” social in Arlington at the Westin Arlington Gateway, which will next be held on Jan. 4.
Flavell is always on the lookout for additional content editors who can contribute to GoGayDC’s social calendar. He would like to help organize events where locals can socialize with out-of-town visitors who attend the myriad conferences held in Washington, ranging from Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend to CPAC.
“I welcome collaboration across the community and am open to any ideas,” he says. “They can simply contact me if they have anything else to add.”
GoGayDC’s First Friday Happy Hour Social is Friday, Jan. 4 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Pinzimini Lounge, in the Westin Arlington Gateway, 801 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, Va. There is no cover. For more listings of events, visit meetup.com/GoGayDC.
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