Phil Carroll

"I remember the first time I went to a Gay Social event, I was so nervous going in. About not knowing anyone and if I would be able to make new friends. While it was a very busy one filled with a lot of members, I got to meet some warm, lovely people and it’s been a wonderful time since then.

What I really enjoy is that it’s been such a gradual process with getting to know so many people, from so many different backgrounds and stories. With these events, you have your usual regulars where you get to catch up and see what they’ve been up to, as well as new entries to the group who are curious to check it out, and the opportunity there to make a new friend. Plus, I feel like it genuinely improved my social skills to chat with different people from event to event and find new ways to connect with others.

I love getting to know new members of the group who want to know more about it. It can be a little daunting entering a group where a lot people already now each other, but I find Gay Social to be such a warm group of people to be around, and in safe, friendly environments. If you put in the effort to make new connections, it’s such a rewarding gift to get to know so many people in the community.

I genuinely feel like part of my life has gotten better from joining Gay Social. Before, I didn’t have too many queer/LGBTQ+ friends. Mainly just because I didn’t know where to meet them outside of an app. Now that I’ve been a part of Gay Social for 2+ years, I feel so fulfilled to have made so many new friends and connections through the group. Even my friends outside of Social noticed that I was flourishing more from the new connections that I made from the group. I didn’t know how much I was missing a sense of community until I got to be a part of it and I hope that I can help others establish that feeling too."