Mission Statement
GayRomLit is a reader-focused retreat dedicated to the celebration and advancement of LGBT romance. Organized by authors, sponsored by authors and publishers, GayRomLit’s mission is to connect readers to the authors they love and the ones they have yet to fall for within a safe, supportive, affordable, and fabulous environment.
History
In 2010, Carol Lynne and Ethan Day started discussing the need for a reader weekend focused on LGBT romance, and with the help of a founding team of organizers, volunteers, authors and readers, launched the wildly successful and much-lauded 2011 GayRomLit Retreat in New Orleans. GRL’s second year brought changes, with new organizers joining the team while others had to bow out for family and career—then, in the thick of 2012 preparations, member William Neale tragically passed away. In a testament to the power and devotion of the LGBT romance community, not only did new organizers step up to the plate but the second retreat in Albuquerque, New Mexico unfolded with as much fanfare and fabulosity as the conference’s inaugural year. Having passed its trial by fire and standing on the shoulders of experience, the GRL organizer team headed confidently into the 2013 retreat in Atlanta. The following year, a streamlined team of organizers coordinated GRL 2014 and, with much success, continued to spread the love of the genre for several years to follow.
Three weeks after the conclusion of GRL 2018, our hearts were struck with the unexpected passing of one of our founding organizers, Ethan Day. He will forever be in our hearts and a part of the GRL team as we work endless hours to spread the love of the LGBT romance community.
GRL Retreat Organizers:
Carol Lynne
Teresa Emil
Reese Dante
GRL 2019-present Organizers:
Carol Lynne, Teresa Emil, Reese Dante
GRL 2014-2018 Organizers:
Carol Lynne, Ethan Day, Teresa Emil, Reese Dante
GRL 2013 Organizers:
Carol Lynne, Ethan Day, Teresa Emil, JP Bowie, Damon Suede, Heidi Cullinan, Reese Dante
GRL 2012 Organizers:
Carol Lynne, Ethan Day, JP Bowie, William Neale, Teresa Emil, Damon Suede, Heidi Cullinan
GRL 2011 Organizers:
Carol Lynne, Ethan Day, Amanda Young, Lynn Lorenz, JP Bowie
Founding GRL Organizers:
Carol Lynne and Ethan Day
Recap of GRL dates and locations
1st (official) GRL Retreat
October 13-16, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
2012 GRL Retreat
October 18-21, 2012 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
2013 GRL Retreat
October 17-20, 2013 at the Meliá Hotel in Atlanta Georgia.
2014 GRL Retreat
October 16-19, 2014 at the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Illinois.
2015 GRL Retreat
October 15-18, 2015 at the Bahia Resort in San Diego, California.
2016 GRL Retreat
October 20-23, 2016 at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
The 2017 GRL Retreat
October 19-22, 2017 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center in Denver, Colorado.
The 2018 GRL Retreat
October 18-21, 2018 at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel in Portsmouth, Virginia.
The 2019 GRL Retreat
October 17-20, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Our 10th annual GRL Retreat
October 7-10, 2021 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Missouri.
The 2022 GRL Retreat
October 19-23, 2022 at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel in Portsmouth, Virginia.
The 2023 GRL Retreat
October 18-22, 2023 at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel in Portsmouth, Virginia.