How Chelcea Stowers Turned Her Biggest 'Flop' Into a Thriving Lesbian Community Network

The Lesbian Social Detroit founder reflects what she's learned, the couples who have found love at her events and what's next for the org

Kelli Dunham

Published: July 15, 2026 | Last Updated: July 22, 2026

News Michigan Entertainment

In 2023, Pride Source profiled Lesbian Social Detroit founder Chelcea Stowers, a photographer who noticed a lack of quality lesbian nightlife events in the city and decided to do something about it. She was building something many queer women had been missing: a consistent way to find one another outside of dating apps, occasional Pride events and the increasingly rare lesbian bar.

What started as a pop-up party with hopes of creating a safe space downtown has grown into a recognizable force in Detroit's nightlife scene. At the time, Lesbian Social Detroit was gaining momentum through pop-up events that brought hundreds of women together at venues across Metro Detroit.

Since then, both Detroit's LGBTQ+ community and the ways LGBTQ+ people connect have continued to evolve. Pop-up events have become more common, new community organizers have emerged and Lesbian Social Detroit has expanded beyond nightlife into other forms of connection. The organization now hosts regular events at some of Detroit's most visible venues, including a residency at the Godfrey Hotel's IO Rooftop Lounge in Corktown.

As the organization celebrates bringing together more than 10,000 women through its events and is set to celebrate its ninth anniversary in November, we caught up with Stowers to talk about what she's learned from building community, the challenges of sustaining a grassroots organization and her hopes for the future.

A couple at a Lesbian Social Detroit event. Courtesy photo

When we last talked with you, you described your first event in 2017 as a “flop,” and it happened the day your grandma died — that sounds incredibly hard. What helped you develop the resilience to keep trying?

My grandmother was a huge part of my life, and I didn't want to give up and stop there because I knew she wouldn't want me to. The location of my first event wasn't the most desirable location, and it was my very first event. With attendance being super low, I went back to the drawing board and connected with my mentor, John Neely, who helped me get into venues in downtown Detroit.

What in your background helped you develop the skills to make Lesbian Social Detroit an ongoing success?

I started throwing events in high school, and that's where my love developed. I have always enjoyed bringing people together. I had a dance group called the MOET Girlz and we would have dance battles against other dance groups, and that's when I first got the title of being a party promoter.

What was the most urgent reason you created Lesbian Social Detroit?

With Detroit's resurgence, I wanted the community to be a part of that and take up space to let people know that we're here — and that the community exists! I wanted to create an experience by hosting pop-up events at different locations to introduce the community to new venues in the city and to keep the experience fresh.

How have Lesbian Social and your reasons for running it evolved as the lesbian community has continued to change?

Lesbian Social has grown into a platform that connects with the community in different ways. Not everyone wants to go to a nightclub or lounge, so I've explored different ways of bringing community together, such as a yoga series. I want to continue expanding on ways to connect. Pop-up events have become extremely popular. Previously, there were weekly club nights; now, there is a community of curators who organize events monthly.

A Lesbian Social Detroit event — Lesbian Social Detroit event. Courtesy photo

What's been the hardest part of sustaining something like this long term?

Having no outside financial backing. Lesbian Social has been self-funded since being created, and there is so much more I want to do for the community. There are so many events that I want to make happen, but limited funding is the issue.

What have you learned about leadership from running these events?

I've learned that you will make mistakes along the way; it's how you recover that makes the difference. Wearing many hats, sometimes you may not get it right every time, but you need to be able to acknowledge that, revisit what you could have done better and make a conscious effort to continue creating safe spaces for women to connect. I feel I have that responsibility. Being an introvert and being in a leadership role has been an adjustment because I'm putting myself out to the masses, and I deal with social anxiety, so being able to find balance has been key.

What's been the most rewarding thing you've witnessed happen at one of your events?

The most rewarding thing is when couples come up to me and say "Thank you, we met at Lesbian Social." Even friend groups have been formed at The Social. I love love, so it warms my heart to hear testimonials. I never thought I would be able to bring together over 10,000 women through my events.

Lesbian Social Detroit event. Courtesy photo

What would you want people to know about what you've been making happen?

I want people to leave a Lesbian Social event and be excited that they made a new friend or met a potential love interest. Lesbian Social is also big on collaboration, so being able to work with other groups and organizations in the LGBTQ+ community is something I want to do more of this year.

What are your biggest dreams for Lesbian Social Detroit?

My biggest dream is to open a permanent space in the city. I want it to be community-driven — a hangout spot or somewhere that feels safe to go after a long day and you want to unwind.

Keep up with Lesbian Social Detroit's event calendar at @lesbiansocialdetroit on Instagram.