Gay & Sober 2021 - Common Questions

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVENTS...

WHAT IS BEING DONE TO ADDRESS COVID -19 AKA CORONA VIRUS CONCERNS?

At the 2021 Conference, we are reimagining planning in an effort to ensure participant's piece of mind. Our team has developed a solid plan that will be in effect during the conference. This plan includes a bottle of hand sanitizer in your welcome bag, Greeters that smile instead of giving hugs, mandatory masks, social distancing, and no hand-holding at the end of the big meetings.

Click here for

complete details.

ARE TRANS, QUEER, AND BISEXUAL MEN WELCOMED AT THE GAY & SOBER MEN'S CONFERENCE?

Of Course. Please join in the fun!

ARE ALL TRANS PEOPLE WELCOMED AT THE PRIDE CELEBRATION MARCH AND DANCE ON THE RIVER ON PRIDE SUNDAY?

Yes. The Pride Celebration on Pride Sunday is for ALL LGBTQ+ people in the recovery community and allies. The Dance on the River Cruise is a part of The Pride Celebration. All are welcome!

WHAT IF I DON'T IDENTIFY AS A "GAY MAN" AND STILL WANT TO PARTICIPATE?

If you are a man and self-identify as Queer, Bisexual, gender non-conforming, or gender fluid, you are very much welcomed at the GSM Conference!

WHY IS THE GSM CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY THRU SATURDAY FOR GAY MEN ONLY?

Because we feel that there is a need for special programming that speaks to the unique experience of being a "gay man" in recovery.

MY HUSBAND, BOYFRIEND OR PARTNER IS NOT SOBER. MAY I BRING THEM TO THE CONFERENCE?

Yes. Our workshops are designed to appeal to friends and loved ones too. We invite them to dive into the experience with you. Our nightly speaker meetings and events are just as entertaining as a live spectacle. You will need to get them their own registration.

I NEED A ROOMMATE AT THE HOST HOTEL SO I CAN SAVE ON SOME MONEY.

Please contact our Housing Team at housing@gayandsober.org and they will try to match you with others needing a roommate.

Also, even though it says there is one, there is NO Destination Fee.

For more details on roommate pairing, please click here.

WHAT IF I'M COMING TO THE CONFERENCE BY MYSELF? I WON'T KNOW ANYONE.

Many participants have come by themselves and felt the same way. But what they found at the conference were friends that would last a lifetime. So long as you participate in the workshops, help out by doing service, and open yourself up to the experience...you'll be fine. We promise!

To volunteer, please contact service@gayandsober.org

IS THE GAY & SOBER MEN'S CONFERENCE THE SAME AS THE BIG APPLE ROUNDUP?

Absolutely not. GSM is 4 full days of workshops, activities, fellowship, fun and entertainment. GSM attracts participants from all over the world. GSM is highly produced, highly attended and has a high-energy vibe. It's like comparing an apple to a juicy, ripe peach.

There's nothing like it!

IF I CHANGE MY MIND, CAN I GET A REFUND?

No. However you have three generous options. 1. You may re-sell it and transfer your registration to someone else. 2. You may donate it back to our Scholarship Program for newcomers with financial hardships. 3. Or you can save your spot for the following year.

If you can't make it, please email registration@gayandsober.org and let them know which option above works best for you. You have to inform us by June 1st, 2021 to modify, transfer cancel or resell your registration.

The last day to cancel your reservation at the host hotel is also June 1st, 2021.

When placing your order, you must agree to the Terms and Conditions by clicking the box. That means that you agree that there are no refunds. We as a nonprofit are not legally required to issue refunds when we have a clear and fair policy as stated in our terms and conditions. No exceptions will be made.

For those participants that pre-paid in 2019, you had until 12/31/20 to complete and redeem your registration. Otherwise, you will have abandoned your spot. Choices!

HOW DO I MODIFY MY EXISITING REGISTRATION?

Just go to register as you normally would.

1. Go to: (www.gayandsober.org/registration)

2. Then click the WAITLIST button.

3. Then an new window will open up and you will want to click "ALREADY REGISTERED?" If doing this from a mobile device, click "Menu", then "Home", then "Already Registered?"

4. Then enter your email address and confirmation number that you were sent in your *confirmation email and your email address.

5. Click "OK"

6. Click "Modify"

7. Click "Next" to take you to Item Selection

8. Make your changes, then click "Next" till you click "Finish".

*if you need us to resend your confirmation email, just ask us.

IS GAY & SOBER FOR PROFIT OR A NONPROFIT?

Yes. Gay & Sober Inc. is a registered 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization. There are no paid positions. Everyone is a volunteer.

ARE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE?

The first round of Scholarships were awarded on March 5th. The second round on December 25th. And the final round on January 8th. We awarded 50 scholarships this year. There are no more scholarship applications. To learn more please click here.

I PREFER AN APPROACH SUCH AS PEER SUPPORT OR SMART RECOVERY. IS THIS OK? WILL I BE ACCEPTED?

The short answer is yes. GSM is not your typical Roundup. That's why it's called a conference. The entire weekend is designed to appeal to broad spectrum of attendees. All of the activities and workshops are about health & wellness. Not just the 12 Steps. The big nightly meetings are fashioned in the style of Alcoholics Anonymous, but take what you like and leave the rest. We've selected the best of the best for the speaker meetings and the star entertainer immediately following the Saturday night meeting is something you don't want to miss.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATES

April 5th, 2021

Gay & Sober has been closely following all developments as they relate to COVID-19 and the reopening of New York City. As of today, the in-person conference will be happening during Pride Weekend in New York City. We are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to meet for the following reasons: 1. the phenomenal national rollout of the all three vaccines, 2. domestic travelers no longer needing to self-quarantine upon landing in New York, and 3. the trajectory of New York State's phased reopening. For the most part, (with the exception of Broadway), city life has returned to normal. Mask wearing is the new normal in New York City. Many if not all residents wear them all the time - often as a sign of mutual respect. Though we have yet to make a formal announcement, the path to participation at our in-person event will most likely include proof of vaccination and/or a recent negative COVID test for every participant.

Unfortunately, for our friends outside of the US, the vaccine rollout is not going as well. Many countries have restricted travel to the United States. Those restrictions may not lift in time for international registrants to make it to the conference. Gay & Sober Inc. has committed to do right by these participants and will address concerns and accommodations on a case by case basis. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

For everyone else, we encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as you can and stay safe so we can finally embrace you in the greatest city in the world! Please click here to review our latest on Health & Safety.

Cordially Yours,

Christian Parker

Chief Executive Officer

Gay & Sober Inc.

May 8th, 2020

Gay & Sober has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 developments over the past several weeks, and in light of the current New York shutdown, other government agency recommendations and social distancing measures that will carry on well past the summer, we have decided to POSTPONE the 2020 Gay & Sober Men’s Conference and Pride Celebration until June 24th thru June 27th of 2021.

It has always been our mission to ensure that your sobriety, health, and safety are our top priority during this decision-making process. Although this was a difficult decision to make, we feel that it was the most prudent one. We want to express our deepest gratitude to our loyal patrons and participants, and we guarantee you that next summer’s GSM2021 VARSITY will be the most memorable conference/roundup you’ve ever experienced. As most of you know, there is just nothing like Pride weekend in New York City.

TICKET HOLDERS: To make the transition as smooth as possible, we will automatically transfer your current GSM 2020 registration to the new June 24th - 27th, 2021 dates and honor the registration fee you have already paid. All 2020 scholarships awarded will be honored in 2021 as well.

HOTEL ROOMS: If you booked your hotel room reservation for GSM2020, there is no reason to contact the hotel to change or alter your existing reservation. This has already been taken care of for you. The Westin Times Square has moved your reservation to June of 2021 with the same check in/out days that you had already selected. You may get an auto-cancel email from the hotel; please disregard it.

All room rates will stay the same.

All GSM registrations are Non-Refundable; however, if you cannot attend the June 2021 Conference, you can donate your registration to our scholarship fund to help those less fortunate attend or transfer and/or resell your registration to someone else. You have until Dec 31st, 2020 to notify us in writing of your wish to transfer and/or resell your registration.

Everyone here at Gay & Sober wishes all of you
and your families the best, and we look forward to welcoming
you back to the greatest city in the world in June of 2021.

With Love & Service,

Kevin Michael

Chief Operations Officer

Gay & Sober Inc.