• KendahlLandrethandpartnerJordanMyrickofTheDatingGaymeperformatTheLGBTQupidSoiree
    Kendahl Landreth and partner Jordan Myrick of The Dating Gayme perform at The LGBT Qupid Soiree. Photo by Vern Hester
  • DesignercupcakesbyAmazcakes
    Designer cupcakes by Amazcakes. Photo by Vern Hester
  • DesignersweetsbyAmazcakes
    Designer sweets by Amazcakes. Photo by Vern Hester
  • VideointerviewerLunastrikesapose
    Video interviewer Luna Ocampo strikes a pose. Photo by Vern Hester
  • SpeedDatingonValentinesDay
    Speed Dating on Valentine's Day. Photo by Vern Hester
  • thecastcrewandvolunteersbehindblank
    Cast, crew, and volunteers. Photo by Vern Hester
  • thegaysegmentintheimprovisationalportion
    Gay segment in The Dating GAYme. Photo by Vern Hester
  • TinaArfaeeperformingintheimprovisationalsegment
    Tina Arfaee performing in The Dating GAYme. Photo by Vern Hester
  • hostessSapphireFelicianoandfriend
    Hostess Sapphire Feliciano and Matthew Huston. Photo by Vern Hester
  • minigoodiebags
    Mini goodie bags. Photo by Vern Hester
  • SpeedDatingattheLGBTQupidSoiree
    Speed Dating at the LGBTQupid Soiree. Photo by Vern Hester
  • fromleft_KimIhemeandTinaArfaeeperformimprovatTheLGBTQupidSoiree
    From left, Kimberly Iheme and Tina Arfaee perform improv at The LGBTQupid Soiree. Photo by Vern Hester
In celebration of Valentine's Day, Chicago based film and media production company Second Glance hosted The LBGT Qupid Soiree. The event, which was focused on spinning attitudes on this particular day, was presented at The iO Theater on February 14 and featured interactive games, a speed dating marathon, a raffle, resources, improvisational performances, dialogues in an interview format, previews of upcoming Black LGBTQ films, a DJ, a photo booth, onsite HIV/STI testing and a midnight masquerade after party.

The event offered the challenge of several events taking place simultaneously and focused on romantic love for all sexualities while creating a safe space for people to mingle and meet. There was also a strong resource element to the soiree with health, wellness, self-care, financial and film and media organizations represented.

In a press release for the event Second Glance founder Anthony Williams said, "The mission of the LGBT Qupid Soiree is to provide a place for singles to feel loved on Valentine's Day. During Black History Month, Second Glance Productions honors its African American LGBTQ population, as studies show an influx of hate crimes and murders of that particular population. The event is also reflective of the need for community resources and builds HIV/STI testing only one week after National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7."

Williams later said in the same press release, "Love is love and we're sprinkling some fun in the love potion this Valentine's Day."

Among the night's festivities, the two improvisational performances which took place in the Freemont Theater were packed as Los Angeles comics Oscar Mendoza and life partners Kendahl Landreth and Jordan Myrick of The Dating Gayme partnered with local improv artists to skewer speed dating (they offered a "gay version" and a "lesbian version") with volunteers from the audience. Also packed was "The Confessional Unload Room" which featured taped interviews answering questions on love and red flags. While these events were going on hostess Sapphire Feliciano led multiple individuals through the speed dating segment which was ongoing for the four hours of the soiree.

Sponsors of The LGBT Qupid Soiree included Impulse Chicago, The AIDS Foundation of Chicago, ViiV Healthcare, Vee L. Harrison, Howard Brown Health, The Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus, Black Alphabet Films, Task Force, Creative Cypher, The Health and Wellness Circle, The Davis Theater Chicago, Sojourn Restaurant, and U.S. Poker Casino Parties. Custom made Valentine's Day treats were provided by Amazcakes.