POSTPONED due to too few pre-registrations

If you're interested in being part of a future event, please contact Quinn
 
 
: an LGBTQ+ mixer to meet new folk ...

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

home · register · FAQ · contact

What is MeetOut?

It's a way for LGBTQ+ folks to actually meet each other--not just be together in the same room!--in small groups, playing no-pressure social games. If you're an LGBTQ+ person who is looking for new friends or romantic possibilities, this event is designed for you, especially if you find it hard to meet and connect with people at regular events (but also if meeting people is easy for you).

Everyone at the event will have a nametag that will also show their pronouns (if desired) and a little color-coded information about what kinds of people they're looking to meet.

Where, when, and how much is it?

Time: Sunday, November 17th, 2pm-5pm

Location: 703 Pine Street, Burlington (in the event space adjacent to Pizza 44 and Queen City Brewery)

Cost: Pay what you can! Suggested contribution is $15-20

The event location

Pre-registration by Saturday, 11/16 is required so that we can prepare your materials!

Who is it for?

All LGBTQ+ people in the area aged 18 to 80+ who are looking to meet friends and/or potential dates!

Who is it not for?

This event isn't for

All this said, you don't have to provide a label for yourself. If you identify somewhere under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, you're invited.

Who is putting this event on?

MeetOut is organized by Quinn Reid (she/her), host of the podcast All the Genders. She and a number of her friends have all felt like they want to make more connections with local LGBTQ+ folk, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. Making unusual stuff happen is kind of her thing, to be honest.

MeetOut was also brought to life by some great volunteers and advisors, including Siuan McGahan (graphics) and Ell Longenecker (decorations).

What should I wear?

Wear anything that makes you feel comfortable or happy or that expresses who you are! From jeans and t-shirt to formalwear to cosplay, it's all welcome.

You're absolutely invited to add any accessories or bling you'd like to wear to express your identity.

What if I'm only looking for friends?

Then this event is for you! There's no assumption of romantic interest: you can just choose to have only the friendship happy face on your tag, and everyone will know you're looking for friends only.

How is MeetOut different from most other social events?

Normally at events, even if there are people you might be interested in getting to know, you have to pick someone, find a moment when you won't be interrupting, go up to them, introduce yourself, and find a topic of conversation. Not everyone is comfortable doing that! Additionally, with that approach, you meet only people you single out without necessarily knowing much about them.

MeetOut is a little different. It's organized around a series of easy social games that are designed to be no-pressure, fun ways for everyone in the group to get to know a little bit about each other. We do our best to make the topics ones that help others there learn who you are.

We'll play these games in groups of 6-8 and change up groups for each game, so you'll get a chance to be in small groups with a wide variety of people. You'll know which groups you're in for each activity from a personalized schedule we'll print for you when you arrive.

If you find someone you want to connect with, there will be unstructured time after the games to go say hi. Contact cards will be provided, so if you want to make a connection, you can offer a contact card containing whatever contact information you'd like to include. If you do want to approach someone, in most cases you already will have met them playing a game in a small group and will have something to talk about.

How are the games "no pressure"?

For each game, you'll be assigned to a particular table with an assigned group. Then the MC will explain the game, and you'll get any materials you need. All of the games are very easy to play, and each one will offer a chance to share a little bit about yourself. You can decide whether you want to share something straightforward or something more deeply personal. Everyone else will be doing the same thing. You won't have to do any public speaking, and you won't be put on the spot and expected to, for instance, draw something or figure out a charade. The games are designed specifically to be comfortable both for introverts and for extraverts.

Then, for the next game, you'll be assigned to another group at another table and can meet some different people. Your table assignments will be on a piece of paper you'll get when you arrive.

What if I don't click with anyone in my group?

No worries--on to the next group! We'll have something on the order of four or five games, and you'll be in a different group for each one.

Is it like speed dating?

No, not really. It's in small groups rather than one-on-one; the game and topics are provided, so you don't have to come up with something to talk about; and there's no assumption that you're interested in romance (though if you are, people will have a general idea of what kinds of people you're interested in from your nametag).

Is this a good event for poly people?

Yes, it's meant to be very poly-friendly for LGBTQ+ people! However, it's not for straight, cisgender polyamorous folks.

One of the symbols you can get on your nametag is a red "infinity heart" poly symbol, to specifically convey that you're interested in poly connections. It's an individual choice whether to include that symbol or not.

What are the nametags? Does everyone wear one?

Everyone at the event will be wearing a lanyard with a nametag showing their name (first name, chosen name, or nickname), pronouns (if desired), and a few symbols that show what kinds of people they're looking for. You can have any or all symbols on your nametag (minimum of one).

Interested in friends
Interested in dating female-presenting people
Interested in dating male-presenting people
Interested in dating people of other genders (for example: nonbinary or agender)
Polyamorous

The symbols on your nametag don't describe you. Instead, they're about who you're looking for. The idea is that when you look at someone's nametag, you can immediately tell whether they might be looking for someone like you.

Why have contact cards? Can't I just give somebody my phone number or Instagram handle?

You'll get some personalized contact cards when you arrive. They contain whatever contact information you tell us to include when you register, which could include things like your full name (or not), telephone number (or not), social media handles (or not), e-mail address (or not), etc. There are no requirements about what you have to include. Each card also has a picture of you (if you decide to provide one) on the back, to help ensure someone who receives your card knows who you are. The cards are given only to you, so the only people who'll get them are people you give them to.

However, you don't have to use the contact cards if you don't want to! Feel free to swap phone numbers or leave the event together or to connect in any way you like. The reason to have the contact cards is to have an easy, low-pressure option for offering to connect further.

Why do I need to register and pay in advance?

We'll need your information by the registration deadline for a few reasons. One is just that we need to have a rough idea how many people will be attending. Another is so we can come up with the best combinations of people for the social games to maximize you meeting people you might be interested in. Also, we'll need your information to make your nametag and contact cards, which will be printed in advance.

Payment in advance is partly to pay for creating your nametag and contact cards (money we have to spend even if you were to not show up!) and partly to make sure you're really invested enough to attend. People don't always value or commit to free things the way they do things they pay for, and your contribution allows us to pay for the space and materials.

What if I can't afford the suggested contribution amount?

No worries--just pay what you can! If you're able to pay the suggested contribution amount, or even better to pay a little extra to help support the event and encourage more of them, you'll help defray the costs of materials and the venue. The event is run by unpaid volunteers. (Speaking of which: if you might like to help, please get in touch with Quinn. I'm sure we can use you to help make the event better!)

How do I pay to attend?

After filling out your registration form, send payment to @quinnconceivable through either PayPal or Venmo. If you really can't use either one of those, you can contact Quinn to make other arrangements.

Is this a money-making event?

Hahahaha! No, it's all-volunteer and not-for-profit. If there's any money left over after paying for the venue and supplies and things, it will go either toward a future MeetOut event or be donated to the Vermont Pride Center.

Is this a series? Will there be more of these?

This is the first MeetOut event, so we'll have to see how it goes. If it draws enough participants and people like it, we're interested in making it into a series. If you're very keen to see this happen, any of the following would help. Please do help us get the word out! Maybe you'll tell a friend who'll tell a friend who turns out to be exactly the person you've been hoping to meet!