Eden Strader is a party-planning powerhouse.
At just 29, she’s already lived many lives: raised Mormon in Utah, married young, divorced, came out as queer, and redefined herself—again and again. Though she left both the church and her marriage behind years ago, Strader never let go of one thing: her passion for creating spaces where people can show up, feel seen, and connect.
Her biggest Chicago party to date–The Shane Lookalike Contest (yes, that Shane from The L Word), held on March 26 at Lost Never Found, 3660 N. Clark St.–brought several hundred sapphics to the bar, most cheering raucously for the contestants.
After a stint in New York City, where she hosted sapphic parties, Strader landed in Chicago this past summer and didn’t waste time getting to work. In October, she packed over 50 people into her apartment for High School Night. This playful, cathartic event reclaimed the awkward, alienating high school years so many queer folks endured. There were games like spin the bottle and seven minutes in heaven, but the real magic was in the energy: open, goofy, affirming.
Since then, Strader has been building something bigger. She’s formed GARDEN OF, a group dedicated to throwing themed sapphic events that extend beyond the usual nightlife circuit.
“I think in queer spaces in general, there’s a huge culture of getting together, getting drunk, hooking up—and not that there’s anything wrong with those things—but I think a lot of people are itching to meet friends and build community,” Strader said.
That’s why her parties are centered around themes.
“Themed parties give people an icebreaker,” Strader said. “They make it comfortable to approach people you don’t know.”
The Shane Lookalike Contest, co-hosted by queer influencer and model Madeline Ford, reflected Strader’s ongoing intention to create inclusive spaces.
“We encouraged people to show up who don’t look like Shane,” she said. “We’re trying to recognize the fact that we chose a white, cis woman as the competition’s icon. But, not everyone needs to be a white, cis woman to enter.”
There were bold Shanes and shy Shanes and everything in between. One contestant, Gina Grabinski, who looked like Shane’s doppelgänger, mentioned that she’s sometimes asked if she’s Kate Moennig.
The winner, Anya Cronin, was chosen by a thunderous cheer from the crowd. She embodied that playful, sultry Shane spirit.
“It’s a good feeling to win,” Cronin said. “I’m happy to be around so many sapphic people. I love being a lesbian.”
GARDEN OF partners with a different nonprofit for each event. For this one, they teamed up with the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, with raffle proceeds supporting the organization’s vital work.
In a moment when queer spaces feel increasingly under threat, Strader is creating something joyful and expansive, where friendship is just as important as flirtation, and silliness is sacred.
“Themes bring a levity to the queer community,” she said. “And we need that right now.”
Shane Lookalike Contest photos by Ronit Bezalel
