Sapphic Speed Dating

Queer Community Speed Dating is a periodic Anchorage-based event series all about building queer community connections and bonding through our intersecting identities. Each cycle we do a different event catering to a different faction of the LGBTQIA2S+ community; this time we're here for the WLWs! If you're looking for new friends, this is a great place to start. And if you find a deeper connection, we love that for you.

Hosted by local queer producer, emcee, and artist, Mercedes Arciniega, this particular event specifically caters to sapphics – so: women, femmes, mascs, GNC, trans, and nonbinary folx who identify as lesbian, bi, pan, ace, queer (falling somewhere on the WLW or sapphic spectrum!) and are interested in connecting with other sapphic folx. Mercy will keep the vibe going and guide y'all through a night of casual, low-pressure, quick conversations in a cozy, fun, and safe sober space. On Sunday June 22, we're excited to team up with South Coffeehouse! Coffee drinks, tea, and mocktails will be available for purchase.

NO TICKETS AT THE DOOR! RSVPs must be made in advance in order to participate. Please check the agenda for a rundown of the event, and visit our FAQ section for details!

PLEASE NOTE: This is a private event only for registered participants. No random lingering or people-watching. It's a vibe killer. Appreciate y'all!

Just plan to meet new people and cultivate relationships within the queer community! Whether that's platonic of romantic is up to y'all. You decide what connections you're open to. Guests have the opportunity to provide identity indicators and specify what they're looking for ['just friends' or 'down for whatever'] but we ask everyone to come with an open mind and be down to make friends. Romantic connections are certainly possible if you're 'down for whatever', but platonic connections are the default.

Many of us have said it, and nearly all of us have heard someone else say: "I wish I had more queer friends" or "It's hard to meet people as an adult" or "I hate dating apps" – and we totally feel you. This is a fun and casual way to make real-life connections outside of hit-or-miss dating and friendship apps.

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NOTE: This is a safe space intended only for lesbians, queer women and trans and nonbinary folx who are of the sapphic experience ages 21+. While this event is expressly gender-expansive, we have specific parameters to ensure everyone's safety and comfort level, so we ask our male-identifying friends and non-queer folks and allies for their support by respecting the intentions of this Sapphic-specific space and the boundary therein. ['Sapphic' is an umbrella term that includes trans femmes, mascs, nonbinary folx, and cisgender women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, and/or queer.]

The structure of this event is intended to circumvent the element of pressure, so we ask guests to respect the 'mutual match' guidelines. We're all adults, but please don't make it weird and ask for anyone's number or social media info at the event or ask someone on a second date. Contact info sharing (number and/or Instagram profile) and second dates only happen if a match is mutual, and this is done privately via email from the show producers.

Everyone's comfort and safety is our top priority. We will not tolerate any aggressive, disrespectful, unwelcoming, pressuring, or otherwise unsafe behavior from anyone towards our guests. We reserve the right to remove anyone from the event and/or ban them from future events should they choose to violate these community agreements. We also reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who chooses to navigate this event in bad faith, which includes but is not limited to being dismissed from the event and banned from future events.

NO REFUNDS.

Venue and production staff will be onsite to assist if needed, and the producers are available via email anytime before or after the event. We encourage guests to contact us via to report any unsafe or unwelcome behavior (please include your name and contact info).

We appreciate everyone's respect and compliance!

Info: Guests have a 30 min window to check in, fill out a nametag [first name, sexuality/identity indicator, pronouns], grab your note card, and order your first beverage.

Info: Speed dating starts promptly at 5:30PM, and lasts for approximately 90 minutes (or less), so please be courteous of the schedule! Hate small talk? All good. Your host will guide you through the hour with conversation starter prompts. It's simple and laid back, and you'll be able to mark your matches discreetly.

Info: Dating rounds conclude and house music comes on! Turn in your note cards to the door staff and feel free to mingle and continue conversations while you finish your drinks and support the venue! We'll privately email you contact info of your mutual matches within 48 hours.

Also check out other Arts events in Anchorage.