Hello Bostonians! Are you as sad as I am about the dearth of good bars for queer ladies in our city? Because I’m actively sad about it on kind of a regular basis. Luckily there’s this group of people who have somehow figured out how to make our lack of a solid place to meet each other into a good thing! They’re called The Welcoming Committee — and if you haven’t yet celebrated under their pineapple you’re in luck, because the next opportunity is right around the corner.
![PREVIOUS TAKER-OVERERS](https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/TWC_takeover.png?resize=600%2C262)
CHEERS, PAST TAKER-OVERERS! (VIA THE WELCOMING COMMITTEE)
The Welcoming Committee (formerly known as Guerilla Queer Bar) is a (currently!) Boston-based movement that “takes over typically straight bars, sports games, special events, and major travel destinations for one-time-only experiences.” Basically the idea is to get enough queer people in the same place that there’s no need to spend your energy worrying about whether that girl over by the jukebox is really giving you the eye or what, and also that said jukebox is only playing Robyn.
![ALSO COOL FREE PINS SOMETIMES.](https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/the_welcoming_committee_pins.png?resize=383%2C385)
ALSO THEY GIVE YOU COOL FREE PINS SOMETIMES (VIA THE WELCOMING COMMITTEE)
So far, they’ve taken over everywhere from Montreal to the Boston Symphony Orchestra to A River In Nature Where You Can Raft. They’ve got all the amenities necessary for a 21st-century movement, including a sweet blog, an Instagram, and a team of attractive and interesting people called The Corps whose entire job is to welcome you into the fold. One time I went to one of their shindigs at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum and got so tipsy on that “we belong” feeling and those strange pear cocktails that I ended up hitting on a painting. Huge success.
![FOXY (FOR REAL)](https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/anders_zorn.jpg?resize=292%2C400)
FOXY (FOR REAL)
Like many LGBTQ happenings, some of The Welcoming Committee’s events tend to skew pretty G. So every third Saturday, they throw something specifically for queer women. It’s called the Flannel Takeover, and so far they’ve transformed everywhere from The Burren, an Irish pub in Somerville, to Allston’s Common Ground Bar & Grill (where the DJ thanked them for making it “a little less douchey”). This coming Saturday, August 17th, happens to be one of those third Saturdays, so if you’ve been looking to meet area queers somewhere more soft and comfortable-sounding than Machine, this is your chance! They don’t announce the venue until the day before, so follow the Flannel Takeover Company on Facebook, and/or join the TWC e-mail list to stay in the loop (bonus: their emails are often stuffed with choice gifs). And if you can’t make it this weekend, don’t worry — as long as there is Boston, there will be bars, and as long as there are Saturdays, there will be flannel-based gatherings within them.
Yes!! I love the Welcoming Committee. I went to my first takeover a month or two ago all by my lonesome…because I’m newish to Boston and don’t have any queer friends. The Corps was amazing and introduced me to a bunch of people right away. When I came to the next one, I suddenly had friends who covered me in glitter and danced the night away with me. It made me a really, really happy little homo.
I went to my first TWC event alone too! I introduced myself to a guy at the door perhaps somewhat awkwardly and said “Sooo, I’d like to meet some lesbians..” and he promptly replied “Oh! Let me take you to the lesbians!” I too was immediately glittered and made to feel right at home. I just moved to Boston and this was a magical way to get out and meet queers.
If you are wondering if you should go, go. If you are wondering if you should introduce yourself to The Corps, do!
CORPS MEMBER STEVE HERE HAAY
Cara, thanks for writing this article! I just wanted to shout out both commenters above (Hi Indigo!)! I’m so glad that you guys had a great time, and yes, there will be MUCH more glitter to be had tomorrow and at all future events.
Just wanted to double down on what they said: We are SUPER DUPER SERIOUS about welcoming new people. So much so that it is LITERALLY OUR NAME! We will probably accost you, but just in case, you can find out what we look like at https://twitter.com/TWCCorpsBoston and http://instagram.com/twccorpsboston and then track us down.
Snuggles and pineapples!
Anyone who did not get glittered by Steve last night totally missed out. Just sayin.
Amazing turnout. See you all next month!
O.o This is magical. I want this to happen where I am.
I just moved to Boston two weeks ago and am so excited about this! Also, yay that it’s monthly. I would’ve been so sad if I’d missed it entirely!