Networking for justice

2/5/07Propelled by steady online snowballing, progressive networking group "Socializing for Justice" marked its spectacular ascent into Boston's consciousness last night with its largest event yet.

About 150 self-described feminists, anti-racists, queer pioneers, gender-benders, environmental agitators, lefty artists, class activists and other justice-seekers stopped by Foggy Goggle's on Boylston Street for fishbowls and lager, and left a couple hours later with new connections, friendships and a pleasant evening buzz.

"We feel that we've reached the tipping point," said Hilary Allen, SoJust's assistant organizer. "It's not about us inviting our friends anymore. The word is out there."

While the word originally emanated from a MeetUp.com site, where organizer Robbie Samuels continues to host the group, it has since found its way onto countless email lists, event-based websites and discussion chains. Five guests selected at random said they had each heard of the event from a different online source.

"Six weeks after we started there were 50 people here at Foggy Goggle and 150 signed up on the [MeetUp.com] list," said Samuels. "Now, just shy of six months, there are almost 400 people signed up and every event gets bigger. More people know about it from all kinds of spaces and places."

Mentions in the Globe's Sidekick, The Phoenix and the Metro confirm those spaces and places have moved beyond the internet, and Samuels is expecting continued growth.

"We are making an effort to put the word out beyond progressive liberal spaces," he said. "We [also] want people who don't necessarily know or identify with the groups who are already here because there is a space for them here. They don't have to already be involved."

Sarav Chithambaram, who read about SoJust's events in his email inbox through the Queer Asian-Pacific Alliance mailing list, said that despite being a liberal-thinking city, Boston is often socially conservative, making it difficult to meet people in different social circles.

"As a queer man of color or an Asian, I end up being in only queer spaces in my private life, so this is a very unique opportunity for me to come and meet so many different people," he said. "I find [SoJust events] a very unique place to meet people with progressive ideas."

Andy Beitler happened upon last night's event by chance, just three days after launching a website promoting similar goals.

"I think networking is key. everyone has these great ideas, and then Monday comes along and life gets in the way," Beitler said. "I think it's awesome that everyone has these great ideas but they're actually coming together at once."

Amy Lessler said SoJust's friendly informality gives its events a double opportunity - to network with like-minded people, and blow off steam in an understanding crowd.

"I think it's really important for people who work towards any kind of social justice to network with each other and be able to have fun with each other while they are working towards these really important causes," she said. "Because if we don't keep our heads about life we'll go crazy!"

It was a night of positive reviews at Foggy's - and not only from its guests. When the bar's wait staff found out about the suggested $2 donation, they pooled their resources and dropped a $10 bill in the jar.

"[The night] had such good energy," Samuels concluded. "About halfway through I turned around and you couldn't tell who didn't know each other.