Probably a lot of you met each other last week, as it was officially International Meet an Autostraddler Week and that’s what you were supposed to do, right? Right. How did that go for you? Did you meet some new friends? Did you talk about books? Did anyone promise to take you to Vegas?
I met some Autostraddlers last week, by the way. And while the location I chose left a lot to be desired, I think it went well. No one cried or made-out and everyone looked very cute / spiffy.
I double-autostraddled two laps, which was just as physically and emotionally awkward as it sounds but could’ve been worse. We were seated at the head of the table and being propped above everyone as I was, I felt very official and like the center of attention. Like I was in one of those movies where people sit at the heads of tables and are official. I was scared.
Steph and Val both brought friends who’d never read Autostraddle, and so they possibly thought I was totally weird / stupid, and that’s ok because I liked them anyway. Mo and I discovered that we both really love 8th Street Ale from Four Peaks Brewery because it’s hoppy, but not too hoppy. Jen and Diana offered to take me to Vegas because I’ve never been, and I think they were serious. Kelley, Anna and I realized that we lived so close to each other, we could probably have brunch at Cracker Barrel (but then Kelley reminded us that Cracker Barrel had a history of bigotry, so we’re gonna go to Hillside instead. I just decided that.).
The best part was that they’d met each other, these queer people. I think we’ll do this again. It wasn’t nearly as terrifying as I’d assumed, and that’s saying a lot.
I tried to take photos but the camera on my phone wasn’t working, which meant I had to ask other people to take photos for me and since Kelley had an iPhone and was seated nearest me, she agreed to snap some pictures.
I’m assuming that most of you photographed your events to some degree, as I feel that is a thing that people do, yes? You should send me your photos. I would like a gallery full of happy, smiling Autostraddlers sitting or standing near one another. I think that would be nice.
laneia [at] autostraddle [dot] com <— send the photos here
Uh, all I have to contribute to this post is that Laneia you are really hot. But I’m sure you hear that all the time anyway.
Here here I have to second that! Fabulous!
agreed. you are really, truly, super duper cute :)
Oh my god. So incredibly gorgeous!
laneia. marry me?
i love kids.. and you.
Laneia is beautiful. I think I’m in love.
i met 15 chicks for brunch on sunday and a guy asked one of us if we were part of “some kind of girl convention.” photos soon!
Everyone wished they were at our girl convention.
Fact :)
We need to figure out another meet up, I had a great time on sunday! I’d plan it out, but I don’t think I have the attention span…
Wow, there were 15 of us? o.O
I had loads of fun at brunch, good food and good company. I think my girlfriend enjoyed it as well; I was a tad nervous about bringing her. You know, it’s really hard to talk to that many people… I wanted to conversate with everyone. Oh well. I’m socially awkward anyways… But still… thanks for getting it together!
oh please we talked about video games. how awkward could that be?! I HAD SO MUCH FUN! I WANT TO DO THIS AGAIN.
fun times!! it was great to meet everyone, and thanks so much to caitlin mae and stef for making the plans!
aw…sounds like fun…hit me up next time there’s an NYC meet up…
reni.papa@gmail.com
brunch was delightful. I would like to eat with autostraddlers more often. maybe next time we should request a round table in order to converse more freely with everyone. Or maybe i will invite everyone to my holiday party. vegan pie for all!
I met about 10 girls in Sydney last week and they were all rad. But I did not take photos. Did anyone else from Sydney take photos?
I didn’t, and I didn’t see any being taken before me and the missus had to leave…
Crystal! I told you we should have taken photos! LOL
mothrefucker! i’ve been meaning to email the autostraddlers from my city for, like, a week.
I think it would be funny/ awesome if this turned into an annual convention.
i want to go to the girl convention!! make it a thing
We didn’t take any pictures in Montreal, did we? Oh well, I guess we’ll all just have to meet up again….
Hahaha, Not taking pics was definitely a typical Montrealer move to have to meet again :)
i took pictures when no one was looking….just kidding
we had coats…. that was pretty much the only difference from the other meet up pics
The best part is that I actually had my camera for exactly this purpose but only remembered when I was back in the metro going home…
Aww I’m so sad we didn’t take pictures it would have been such a feel good kodak moment. Next time guys!
everything is emily’s fault, i’ve decided.
Michelle probs stole emilys hypothetical camera anyways.
I think your award winning streak just ended.. like right there.
Don’t be hating on Emily =(
Ps. Why did it link Kodak in my comment? Oh retardation.
oh shit. HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER.
(it was a joke, my tone was a joking tone! harry potter penance!)
hah, and i was going to say that you forgot everything, and it was all your fault.
even if emily had a camera, michelle would have probably stolen it anyways WUT
HA HA HA HA
Can I come next time? I’m a proud Montrealer who loves Autostraddle :)
i tried to take pictures of all the fantastic people i met but they were very very bad. i know someone else did, though!
I thought you meant that the people were bad and got alarmed. It’s okay. I’ve since learned how to read things good.
not at all; they were wonderful! it was quite the situation.
the situation of lesbians, that is.
It’s the way that we live.
I met Rockford Jenin (whom I already knew/hung out with) and Other Elizabeth (who lives one neighborhood up from me), and Becky (who also lives one neighborhood up!), and Emma who lives in Grand Rapids but was visiting Chicago. Jenin also brought a non-Autostraddle friend who, as it turns out, lives a mere 2 blocks from me! There are also 3 more Chicago Autostraddler events planned before the end of the year (thank you, Other Elizabeth!) so for those of you who aren’t already in on the emails/google docs, hit us up!
Okay, 1. Rockford Jenin sounds a bit like a porn name to me, idk. 2. yes, meeting people was AWESOME and I totes plan to do this again, although it may be a while before I have the funds/time to drive in again. Unless one of you is willing to give me a place to sleep/cuddle for a night again (thanks Elizabeth!). Also, I can’t wait to meet more of you and hopefully, one of us will remember to take pictures since I think we all forgot the first time.
D’oh! Just to clarify, Elizabeth just gave me a place to sleep, no cuddling was involved :) That is all.
I thought Rockford Jenin sounded less like a call-in show than Jenin from Rockford ;) And I appreciate the cuddle clarification ;) Although, for the record, I did offer the right side of my bed…
I had so much fun, I definitely am planning more trips to Chicago. Sad that no one took pictures!
I sent an email for info…never got a response. Hmmph.
@ Elizabeth: I <3 being the Other Elizabeth, it makes me sound all sexy and mysterious. Or like a psycho-killer/identity-stealer from a Lifetime special movie…but, I'll take what I can get.
@ Jules: Sorry if we missed you (there were kind of a lot of emails and I know we missed a few others/things got split in half). Email me, Other Elizabeth, again, at hanson [dot] elan [at] gmail [dot] com.
the autostraddling was sweet. can’t wait to do it again.
I met an Autostraddler last week but didn’t know she was “family” until she hit me up on OKCupid yesterday. Also discovered lesbians at the coffee shop.
I am in so much happy shock right now; I love you all.
Sounds so fun. I am always late. Anyone in San Luis obispo county CA want to do a late meet and greet?
OMG !!
I CAME OUT IN SLO !!
I FELL IN LOVE !!
Girlfriend, I am sending you such awesome girl-on-girl woo woo white light right now (from 3k away)—it’ll make your freakin’ room glow in the dark!
And advise from one of your wiser, more experienced Autostraddlers….if you haven’t had sex on one of those architectural structures up in Poly Canyon yet?……you are wrong, get on it girl. (wait for the most awesome summer day ever…..show off your harness tan lines for the rest of the month….oh wait, that was me….)
That sounds freaking amazing!! Thanks for sending the energy! :D
I will be going to Poly Canyon as soon as it warms up (maybe even if its just warm for a weekend!)
I’m a slo kid! what’s your email? :)
:D
I actually logged in this time
yumelook [at] gmail.com
I just discovered this site. Great articles. I missed International Meet an Autostraddler Week, although here in Canada we may not be auto-straddling as much as our neighbours to the south. I’ll catch it next year ;) Keep up the great work!
There are more Canadian autostraddlers here than you would think!
Way more dude.
Seriously. I met 6 of them last week and we are busy making more plans. In Vancouver. mwmedia – are you anywhere near?
Way more. Seriously.
boston’s meet up was really fun and a pretty big group of us stayed at the meeting place until closing. some discussion topics included harry potter, rocket science and old school personals, so we couldn’t really go wrong.
don’t be an autostraggler, go meet some autostraddlers!
Uh, How did I not get an invite?!
Add me to the list? :)
literarylungs@yahoo.com
just added you!
Me too? sbucci [at] commschool [dot] org
Thanks!
could you add me as well?
salad [dot] days [dot] 10 [at] gmail [dot] com
Can you add me too? I just moved to Boston…
cboulan1 [at] gmail [dot] com
I missed it but would love to have another get-together in December/January. I should be available by then. Is that cool? Here’s my email: night [dot] reconnaissance [at] gmail [dot] com. I do realize that my email address is impossible to remember or spell correctly. I’m complicated.
It was so fun! There were so many of us that we ran out of chairs! I did commit a faux pas and asked Rachel her occupation. (dir to myself, I always read her stuff, but I didn’t put two and two together. I was like: 2 + 2= 70 or something) anyways, Rachel is as super-awesome as you would think. Yay for meeting Autostraddlers!
HI AMANDA I LOVE YOU. it’s ok i love talking about my occupation. i love everything.
lucky bitches…
Saw about 15 girls for brunch, though I didn’t get any pictures and had to leave early… well at least I know that I’m not the only autostraddle reader in new york, though possibly the youngest.
It’s good to be the youngest. I was the youngest by a long way in the first proper internet community I joined and it was probably the best thing that happened to me. I got to learn and grow and be around amazing people and all that good stuff. I miss being the youngest, boo, bring it back.
Fairly certain that there is only one other autostraddler in Vegas and even though we are facebook official we missed out on meetup week. Are there any more of you out there? And if you guys actually do make it put to Vegas hit me up! laurenoldfield08 [at] yahoo dot com
Lauren! =)
yes, apparently i AM the only other autostraddler =/
this town sucks.
Vida!!! You being the awesomeness that you are totes makes up for the lack of autostraddlers in the vicinity. They would most likely be intimidated by our respective fabulosity anyway.
any autostraddlers in mexico, or rather guadalajara?
While I don’t live in Mexico, my parents do (en DF), so I go visit fairly frequently.
I autostraddle my way through Guadalajara all the time.
I’d love to autostraddle my way through Guadalajara anyday..
i’ve done it. it usually just turns into a reverse autostraddle most of the time.
I seriously went around Autostraddle looking for in-flight safety card style graphics of the Reverse Autostraddle Move. My game is getting old, I figured those might be of help.
snnd. We can arrange that; snuffles__8 at hotmail dot com. With all the HP stuff coming up in the last days I regret a little less having Sirius’ moniker as my email account. I was young and helpless….
Laneia, I know you must hear this all the time. But WOW you are super gorgeous :)
Wish I lived in the US…I’d totally ask you out for a coffee ;)
thank you i would totally go for a coffee.
OMG. How did I not know that this was a thing, because I want to meet autostraddlers. How did I miss this, and can we please do it again soon?
I missed Autostraddle day!! Want to meet an autostraddler in NYC area, anyone?
NYC autobrunch 2: coming soon! Email Caitlinmae at gmail dot com to be added to the email list!
I’m from NYC and completely missed this! Let me know if you’re all planning to meet up again.
thank you for this! I was able to connect with some local autostraddlers. Laneia, would you ever pose for autostraddle’s calender?
THIS. but i simultaneously feel like this is asking too much / crossing the line / etc :(
I wasn’t comfortable putting my email up. Now I feel I may have missed my chance. But if anyone is near Waco, TX (or not. whatev.) email me at MR.Z_2014 [at] yahoo dot com. Let’s get acquainted.
Any Sydney Autostraddlers around?
If so would any be interested in meeting at Glitta Supernova’s upcoming night (one half of gurlesque (was Sydney’s best lezzie night), who have apparently gone their separate ways ). A night of girls doing fantastic burlesque for girls? Yes please! Watch it with wickedsmart Autostraddlers? Double yes please!
THIS FRIDAY AT THE RED RATTLER.
I’d be in, but Kaki King is playing that night.
Drop me a line – crystal [at] autostraddle [dot] com – if you want to hear about future Sydney Autostraddle meet ups.
woah that’s an attractive lady.
were there any in victoria, bc?
DUDE I AM FROM VICTORIA, BC.
I AM ALSO FROM VICTORIA! I am moving back for a month before leaving for Australia.
sick, everyone i know from vic goes to australia. i go to school in ontario, but i go back every few months for some sweet island loving.
greetings, i knew there had to be at least a couple locs. i think this means we didn’t miss any action
make it a weekly convention. hell, make it a daily convention if you want.
any texans out there? specifically central texans? i feel like there aren’t a whole lot and i def want in on this meet an autostraddler business, damnit :)
I sent Laneia our photo from NYC autostraddling. I’m sorry to the girls I forgot to take a photo with. I’ll have my camera and my memory ready next time. I think we had 7 of the (actually 16) in the photo. Wheeee. Keep me posted too. NYC meetup was wonderful. Mimosas again please.
-Lauren
The Orange County, CA meet up was small, but mighty. No pics, though, sorry! Another meet up is in the works! All signs point to bowling. Yes, bowling. It will be spectacular.
Was there a San Francisco/Oakland meet-up? Are there any Bay Area Auto-straddlers?
Can we do another meet-up?
Not sure if there was one but I’m Oakland, california as well.
we’re all holed up here in tiny underground lesburrows
Do you want to do a meet up?
Hmmmm….can there be an Adelaide-Straddle….Ive noticed a number of Australians on here, but mostly from the coast??? I feel lonely now…..
OK EVERYONE HAS TO MEET AGAIN b/c i’ve only got like 3 pictures and i can’t make a gallery out of 3 pictures jesus christ.
lol i like how you kind of overlooked the fact that you have multiple people pining for you on here.. or maybe you didn’t?
Didn’t I tell you pictures are incriminating evidence lol
I will take circa 3000 pictures of the Glasgow Autostraddlers next week GIVE US TIME
but those 3 pics are fascinating and taken a fabulous person! :)
hey Laneia, how about you help me get a central texas meet up going? i feel you you may or may not know more people on here :)
I AM NOT IN CHARGE OF MIDDLE AMERICA
hahahah this
hey! it’s not central exactly, but look back in a road trip post i wrote about texas and about 100 texans chimed in in the bryan area. also austin is full of teh gay!
i did see it, i totally know daly, and you went into my friends cafe/restaurant/art gallery.
There’s wasn’t one of these happening in my country that I saw, but I’m LOVING it! :)
Because I am a procrastinator extraordinaire, I vote that all the autostraddlers in the Rochester, NY area get together and have a picture taking festival to offset the lack of pictures from other regions!
Aw man I missed it!
For next time can I come too?
Funny story — I didn’t arrange to meet up with autostraddlers, but when I went to see Harry Potter last night, my school friend and I ended up talking about RENT, and she was practically quoting the article from here. Guess I did end up celebrating meet an autostraddler week anyway
Hahaha that’s awesome
whoa another k, i’d better change my name haha
Ok, North Carolina. We’re gonna have to get on the ball. I sent e-mails and only got a few responses. I am intensely jealous of all you people who live in the same city right now.
International Meet an Autostraddler Week directly led to my FIRST DATE EVER!!! :D THANK YOU AUTOSTRADDLE!!!
This.
So jealous/happy for you right now.
THIS!
Ding ding ding ding ding! We’ve got a winner!!!
This made me grin. I’m so happy for you. :)
I was too chicken to reply during the original post but… anyone from Kuala Lumpur? I moved here 2 years ago and man it’s hard to meet like-minded folks.
We NEED AN AUTOSTRADDLER MEET UP IN THE SOUTH!!!!!!!!
Any cool chicks from Alabama?!?!?!?!
my sister lives there and i think she’s gay. also she’s like 16, but hey, she’s a smart lady, amirite. /off the record
Apparently, the entire South is going to have to convene. I think that’s the only way we can pool enough people.
@taylor that’s cool, i know a young group called BAGSLY that does alot in the community. You have to be under 21 to be involved.
@Dani I’m not sure what the South is going to do, but it needs something other than Gay Pride in Atlanta (which I totally love by the way). I know the GSAs from different colleges and high schools get together sometimes…at least Alabama & Mississippi does.
Denver, anyone?
DId you know Meet an Autostraddler Week falls in December in New Jersey? Crazy, amirite?
Totally went on a haunted pub tour (and then to the homobar) with a fellow Jerseystraddler yesterday and had a superfuntime. The rest of you Jerseystraddlers need to come down to Asbury, good times abound!