Lavender Magazine

Volume 9, Issue 228 • February 20, 2004 through March 4, 2004

Outwoods Minnesota

"The day, water, sun, moon, night--I do not have to purchase these things with money." --Roman playwright Plautus (c. 254-c.184 B.C.)

Back in 1989, a Twin Cities man ran an ad in "Equal Time", a now-defunct GLBT newspaper, to ferret out other GLBT people in the area interested in outdoor activities. He received about 50 responses.

From that pool of sports-minded men and women, the nonprofit recreational club known as Outwoods Minnesota emerged.

Patrick Gfroerer, a 40-year-old who left the work world three years ago after becoming legally blind, joined the group because he likes to keep active with a variety of organizations, Front Runners and Twin Cities Gay Hockey Association among them. Although he doesn't think of himself as a "buff jock," Gfroerer does try to stay in shape.

"Most of the subscribers to Outwoods are in-shape people, and take a vested interest in their overall athleticism," Gfroerer says. "Most are outdoorsy people that like to hike, bike, camp, rock climb, and just have fun outdoors."

Outwoods hosts as many as 15 events per month. The activities, typically determined by season, range from hiking and biking to kayaking and spelunking, and in-line and ice skating to skiing and snowshoeing.

Karl Overland (left) and Patrick Gfroerer of Outwoods ice fish on Medicine Lake.
Photo by Sophia Hantzes

Because the group depends on volunteers to organize and list events, the number of activities varies from week to week.

Many of the ideas for these events manifest at meetings of the Outwoods Board of Directors, of which Gfroerer is a member.

In addition to brainstorming, the Outwoods Board promotes fund-raising, publishes the monthly newsletter, and ensures the phone line and Web site are maintained. Coordinating a presence at Pride and other special events is also part of the Board's responsibilities.

"The board is there to promote the organization and events, and compile or send out the newsletter. It's not a lot of work individually," Gfroerer explains.

The club, which has a gender imbalance of about two males to every female, remains committed to a love of nature rather than a love of sex.

This does not presuppose a group of environmental activists. Rather, it guarantees that the individuals involved most likely will prioritize fitness and health over making hookups or scouting for make-out spots.

"It's not a cruise-athon," Gfroerer assures. "But I have met some great people that have become great friends."

Patricia Graham, who joined Outwoods after moving to the Twin Cities five years ago, also has a position on the board of directors. Like Gfroerer, she is in her 40s.

Although Graham considers herself athletic, she swears she isn't a jock.

Graham thinks categorizing Outwoods's subscribers as nature enthusiasts, rather than athletes or hobbyists, would be most appropriate.

Even though her opinions on the dating scene in Outwoods are similar to Gfroerer's, Graham concedes that finding a partner can happen.

"I have found that most people who show up looking for a date at an Outwoods event usually are disappointed," Graham points out. "I do find that both men and women tend to make lifelong friends of both genders through Outwoods. That said, I did meet my girlfriend of over two years through Outwoods."

Graham goes on to say that the best events for date- or mate-finding are also the most popular: summer and winter tubing. These events, which can draw as many as 100 attendees, typically remain noncompetitive, and can be good for socializing.

In fact, most of Outwoods's activities eschew competition. The recreational club's subscribers usually choose to relax and enjoy the outdoors instead of pitting will against will--or will against grace.

"I have never witnessed any serious competitiveness between men and women," Graham attests. "Last spring, we had a fitness challenge which...awarded a prize per week to the person who had the most minutes of exercise. People did get a little competitive trying to win the prizes."

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