Local socialites find fun and friendships with networking site focused on real-life gatherings

For LGBT people struggling to find friends outside bars, one website has an eloquent solution: a space where social groups and clubs can list their events to the public, and invite them to join.

Meetup.com has something for everyone — local LGBT Meetup groups include “LGBT families,” “Hiking with Pride” and “Gay Gaming.” The website is free to members, but does charge to start your own group. (Some group organizers may charge members a small fee to help cover Meetup’s dues.) Finding active groups is easy enough — Meetup uses keyword, distance and interest searches to find the best Meetups for your taste.

Lesbian Connections, founded in 2009 by merging several smaller local lesbian groups headed by Estelle and Susan (last names withheld upon request), is the catch-all Colorado lesbian Meetup group for singles and couples of any age seeking other like-minded lesbians for networking, activities, dating and friendships.

“Personally, I am an over-40 lesbian and it’s difficult to meet and network at the bars. It tends to be younger women,” Susan said. “Meetup is pretty famous for having something for everyone, whatever you’re into.”

Lesbian Connections is the largest lesbian Meetup group in the state at just under 1,200 members. Membership remains free for all ladies in this group, and all women are welcome to join. Their events range from frequent small gatherings to The GLBT Community Center’s annual rooftop party, as well as a large annual holiday party (hosted at Hamburger Mary’s last year).

Susan cautions that it isn’t a hook-up group, and though many couples first met each other through the group, she and Estelle aren’t afraid to kick out members who are simply cruising for sex.

Denver Gay Couples, established in 2010 headed by Kevin LaPointe and his partner, caters to same-sex couples who are looking to expand their social circles outside the party scene.

LaPointe joined Denver Gay Couples for the same reasons many of its members do — he and his partner moved to Denver, from Albuquerque, and hoped to rebuild their social lives in a new city. They soon found themselves heavily involved in the Meetup, and when the group’s founders moved away, LaPointe and his partner were asked to take over. LaPointe said his main task is collecting membership dues ($10 yearly from each member) and hosting planning parties at his house to schedule future events. He encourages any same-sex couples to join, and won’t charge new members until they’ve been a part of the Meetup for 4 months. Their most popular events are game nights, dinner parties and shows Downtown.

The convenience of Meetup does come with setbacks. Kevin grows frustrated by the website’s constant process of evolution, he said. The website recently stopped using PayPal, which he preferred, and replaced it with a more expensive payment system. Without competition, Kevin said, it seems as if there is no drive on Meetup’s end to become more user-friendly.

Susan said her biggest challenge comes from users: fake RSVPs, duplicate Meetup groups and lack of funding. But even with these obstacles, Kevin and Susan encourage anyone to join Meetup.