In an unexpected turn of events, someone sabotaged a 'Date a Dem' speed dating session in Manhattan, throwing off its intended format and balance.
Single and The City organized the event for singles aged 30 to 45 to create a playful environment for like-minded Democrats to meet and possibly spark romance. However, an individual's actions drastically altered the day's plans.
The disruption stemmed from one person buying multiple tickets and failing to attend, coinciding with a Trump rally on Long Island, the New York Post reported.
The event took place on September 18 at The Rose, a venue located on West 25th Street in the Chelsea neighborhood. The organizers billed it as a casual and fun way for single Democrats to meet each other through the traditional speed dating format, where men and women rotate to converse for a few minutes with each partner.
However, an imbalance occurred when several purchased male tickets went unused. This act of sabotage led the event organizer, Amber Soletti, to later receive a phone call from an anonymous caller who taunted her for hosting the event, claiming they attended a Trump rally instead of the dating event.
Due to the skewed ratio, the event's format had to be spontaneously adjusted. Rather than the planned quick rotations, attendees formed a group discussion, enabling them to still engage meaningfully despite the lower turnout and gender imbalance.
Single and The City had to think on its feet due to the reduced number of male participants. "When I got there it was just me, one other guy, and about 10 women," recounted Keith Burgun, a 42-year-old game developer from Westchester who attended the event. This unusual situation prompted a shift from speed dating to a more collective and relaxed interaction among the attendees.
Keith, like many at the event, stressed the importance of political alignment when choosing a partner, highlighting a core reason for the event's initial appeal to him. Denisha McPherson, a 38-year-old project manager from Brooklyn, also attended and expressed a slightly more flexible stance, stating that she might consider dating a Republican, depending on the individual’s specific beliefs and characteristics.
Despite the setback at the 'Date a Dem' event, Single and The City hosted a GOP Speed Dating event a week later on September 25, which saw better success. "We figured it's probably due to Republicans having a harder time meeting like-minded singles in New York City, so this event theme is appealing to them," explained Amber Soletti.
The GOP event successfully attracted 30 attendees, indicating that political-themed dating events can indeed draw interest, provided there is no interference.
Amber Soletti, reflecting on the Democratic event sabotage, shared a particularly pointed quote from the phone call she received: "The gist of what was said by this individual was ‘F your snowflake event, we’re not coming, we’re all at the Trump rally,’” she reported. This call not only confirmed the intentional nature of the sabotage but also highlighted the deeply polarized political climate that could motivate such behavior.
The incidents have not deterred Single and The City from continuing to explore politically themed dating opportunities. Amber Soletti has scheduled another ‘Date a Dem’ event on October 16, and a GOP Speed Dating event on October 23, hoping to provide spaces where political beliefs align with potential romantic connections.
"We kind of shook our heads and said, ‘How polarized are we that someone would do something this unhinged,'" Denisha McPherson mused, reflecting the sentiments of many who were disappointed by the disruption.
Both attendees and the organizer are looking forward to more such events, viewing them as important opportunities for singles to meet others who share their political views, which for many are crucial to compatibility in a relationship.
Such events underscore a broader trend where political affiliation is increasingly coming to the forefront of dating criteria, a sign of the times that resonates with many looking for partners in today's charged political environment.
Keith Burgun’s earlier statement at the event encapsulated this sentiment well: "Somebody who supports the Republican party right now, I wouldn’t be able to have an intimate relationship with,” he admitted, reiterating the importance of shared political values for many individuals today.
This series of events — from disruption to adaptation — highlights not only the challenges of organizing politically themed gatherings but also the resilience and creativity of those determined to foster environments where like-minded individuals can connect, even in an increasingly polarized societal landscape.
