Update: The bottom of this story has been updated with more awards the city has received this year from LA Weekly.
Tribe, West Hollywood’s gay men’s discussion group, recently won LA Weekly’s “Best Gay Men’s Discussion Group 2013” award.
The group, created by West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tem John D’Amico, offers gay men a place to meet and discuss challenges such as coming out, HIV/AIDS, homophobia, fighting for marriage equality and dating.
Averaging around 50 attendees a month, Tribe meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the West Hollywood Library at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. between Santa Monica and Melrose.
“Tribe was initiated to fill the gap between what is and what can be for gay men in WeHo,” D’Amico said. “We look closely at ourselves and the world around us with an eye on where we want to be.”
Tribe is moderated by WeHo residents Mikel Gerle and Brendan Rome.
“Gay men are not born into their own tribe the way others are. When it comes time to navigate dating, mating and social oppression, our bio families, no matter how well intentioned, do not have the life experience to council us on those issues,” Gerle said. “WeHo Tribe brings together a diverse trove of experience from gay men that allows us to benefit from wisdom only a person’s peers can provide. Our primary mission is to leverage that shared experience and foster internalized dignity in all the men who attend.”
The group provides a meeting place outside of nightclubs and AA meetings.
“Social media has enhanced our lives, however, the benefits of verbal, face-to-face communication are front and center at Tribe,” said Rome.
The city also announced Friday that it was awarded a Core Values Award by the International Association for Public Participation for its 2013 Community Study, which explored demographics, community health issues, housing conditions, transportation needs, social services needs, communications needs and overall quality of life in West Hollywood.
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Later Friday, the city announced additional “Best of LA 2013” awards won by West Hollywood.
They are:
- Best Dodgeball League – WeHo Dodgeball
- Best Nightclub – Hooray Henry’s
- Best Octopus Dish – RivaBella
- Best New Seafood Shack – Connie & Ted’s
- Best Marijuana Dispensary – Alternative Herbal Health Services
- Best Gay Bar – The Abbey
- Best Sunday Supper – Lucques
- Best Deluxe Spin Class – Flywheel West Hollywood
- Best Hotel Room for The Doors Fans – Room 32 at the Alta Cienega Motel
- Best Next-Gen Northern Thai – Night + Market
- Reader’s Choice Best Adult Store – The Pleasure Chest
- Reader’s Choice Best Bar for Day Drinking – The Abbey
- Reader’s Choice Best Blues Club – House of Blues
- Reader’s Choice Best Dance Club – The Abbey
- Reader’s Choice Best Dodgeball League – WeHo Dodgeball
- Reader’s Choice Best Gay Bar – The Abbey
