As LGBTQ+ automotive enthusiasts, we are in a constant search to find one of our own. Even with the advent of groups on Facebook, sometimes the nearest connection to another like-minded person who may be many miles away. Therefore, you and your beloved vehicle remain in a virtual space.
If we go back to 1981, the search for car-minded LGBTQ+ people was even more difficult considering the state of our community at that time. That year, the Gay Old Car Owners Society was established. Forty-five years later, that club has evolved into the Lambda Car Club International with 30 regional chapters across the U.S.A., representing 26 states with a roster of 1,800 members. There are around 3,500 vehicles on LCCI’s roster, dating back as far as 123 years in age.
Running this club and making sure it engages with its members take the commitment from a roster of people helping to steer it. At the top of that roster today is Patty Irizarry, the President of Lambda Car Club International. We had a chat with her and two other national board members: David Shepperd, the Director of Outreach and Jim Nepp, the Director of Sponsorships and President, Great Northern Region, to catch up with the club since our last story in 2018 and see where LCCI is at and where they are focusing on where the future will take them.
To understand the club and its mission, Irizarry stated that the “purpose of our club is the enjoyment and exchange of information on all motor vehicles combined with that social fellowship by LGBTQ plus community members and allies.” Nepp added that it is the members’ “primary kind of motivation to get to a club or club activity or an event, but then after a while, it was because of the people. So, that’s no different for the Lambda Car Club as well as friendships are made here.”
You can see it everywhere across the regions in LCCI. The connections, friendships, relationships, and camaraderie. Some say it’s because of the cars. Others set the cars aside for simply meeting new people, fellow members, and sharing common ground as car-loving LGBTQ+ folks.
Shepperd adds that LCCI had “several discussions this year that have related to our mission of being a safe space for all.” To ensure that happens across LCCI, he continued to state, “our board is really interested in that personal connection like they mentioned but by making sure that not only do we have a welcoming facade for new members but also we maintain the existing memberships friendly nature with each other.”
The club’s continued existence has spurred on some growth because of these factors. Irizarry said that LCCI is driven by growth “not only in terms of individual membership but growth in terms of regions – people who are interested in forming new regions have and can reach out to us; and growth in the utilization of social media in order to attract that very diverse LGBTQ plus membership. [Shepperd] has been instrumental as our Director of Outreach because he is providing regions with tools on how to best utilize social media and it’s working, so we’re happy about that”.
One such example of growth came from an encounter that Nepp had at LCCI’s annual Grand Invitational event in Atlanta earlier this year. The Grand Invitational is LCCI’s largest gathering of members and their vehicles attracting members from across the nation. He said that “there were four younger gentlemen who were at the happy hour before the banquet on Saturday night and they were all standing in a huddle chatting and I went up to them and asked how did you hear about [LCCI], how did you find out about us and all four had the same answer social media specifically Facebook. So, I think that just reiterates and reinforces…[that] we using social media today and in the future we’re going to continue to focus on that. [S]econdly, the culture is blended, meaning that we meet face-to-face AND we’re connected online we have Instagram, Facebook, [and] other social media tools.”
However, with everything in today’s smartphone-browsing society, the in-person connection is also important. Taking the social media interaction to bringing one’s vehicle to an event or get-together. Or, just showing up.
What challenges does LCCI have as they continue to grow? According to Nepp, one of them is centered on recruiting new members through social media or at events, as well creating new revenue streams. He also pointed out that the website and electronic backbone of the club needs to be preserved, as well.
Another set of challenges revolve around geography. A lot of the work accomplished by LCCI is at the region level. Shepperd points out that regions can be large with local events mostly concentrated in any given metropolitan area or state. “[W]e are often discussing in [region] boards how can we attract people to events in the area where they are or make the event attractive enough that they’re willing to travel to an event,” said Shepperd. The region he belongs to that covers New England tries to diversify event locations from Boston into adjoining states. These events would include social opportunities, as well as car meets.
Irizarry said it best: “The regions are everything.”
It is worth noting that their annual national event is the Grand Invitational. The 2027 event will be held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on April 19-25, 2027. Their website has more details, along with other events held by their regions
LCCI continues to grow. They’re welcoming new members across the country, partnering with LGBTQ+ communities and organizations, as well as allies. While their history was rooted in in-person events and engagement, adding a social media and online presence also adds value towards bringing people together in-person. That includes all people, no matter who they are.
If you are an LGBTQ+ automotive enthusiast, you should be a member and participate. It continues to be a welcoming place for us car-loving people.
Website: https://lambdacarclub.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LambdaCarClub
Instagram: @lambdacarclub
X (FKA Twitter): @lambdacarclub
YouTube: @lambdacarclub
All photos courtesy of Lambda Car Club International