Not alone in the Big Apple.Who says New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of is a lonely city? A gay networking group called 20something is bringing disparate queer youths together and providing them with true New York experiences. "A couple months ago we were at a cafe and saw John Cameron Mitchell John Cameron Mitchell (born April 21, 1963 in El Paso, Texas) is an American writer, actor, and director. He is best known for his motion pictures Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Shortbus. Early life and career Mitchell was born in El Paso, Texas. ," says 25-year-old member Sarah Jewell. "We were giggling but tried to play it cool." 20something is a social events group for young LGBT LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender queers ages 18 to 33. In addition to numerous citywide events, the group holds meetings twice a month at New York's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual bisexual /bi·sex·u·al/ (-sek´shoo-al) 1. pertaining to or characterized by bisexuality. 2. an individual exhibiting bisexuality. 3. pertaining to or characterized by hermaphroditism. 4. , and Transgender transgender or transgendered adj. Transsexual. Community Center. "At meetings, we start out with an icebreaker icebreaker, ship of special hull design and wide beam, with relatively flat bottom, designed to force its way through ice. When the icebreaker charges into the ice at full speed, its sharply inclined bow, meeting the edge of the ice, rises upon it, and the weight of like Mad Libs," says 26-year-old 20something president George Cofone. "It sounds corny corn·y adj. corn·i·er, corn·i·est Trite, dated, melodramatic, or mawkishly sentimental. [From corn1. , but it's a great way to start talking with someone, especially if you're shy." After the icebreaker, they split into small groups and discuss queer-related topics "from serious to light," says Cofone. "The last meeting we talked about being out in the workplace and cruising. We like to keep it fresh." 20something was started in the early 1990s by two gay guys. In 2001, some of the group's women initiated specific "4Her" events. "It's great to hang with queer men, but there are some different issues for women," admits Jewell. "It's hard in the queer community to find events where women feel comfortable. It's nice to have 20something, where everyone is close to your peer group." "I met my boyfriend at a 20something bowling event," says the group's 27-year-old meetings director, Sean Fischer. "We were friends first. We got to know each other, and it progressed into a relationship." Past events have included beach trips to Fire Island, dinners, movie nights, brunches, and bar and coffee nights. The 20something crowd is just as eclectic as the events they put on and the city that plays host to them. "The people are my own age, [but they're from] different backgrounds and do things totally different from what I do," says 25-year-old Julian Bayona. "It brings diversity to my life, and that's cool." For more information about the group visit www.20somethingnyc.com. |
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