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Q: What is GITA?
A: GITA is an activity oriented Gay Italian American
social club. It’s purpose is to bring like-minded
people together to have fun.
Q: What does the word GITA mean?
A: GITA, pronounced GEEE tah, is an Italian word
that means trip, excursion or outing.
Q: Why would I possibly need a Gay Italian American social club?
A: You might be gay and have been raised in an
Italian American culture and find that you have a
certain affinity for others with a similar background. You
might be new to South Florida and find it difficult to
meet others who’ve been through the same things
that you’ve been through. You might have grown up
speaking Italian and would welcome meeting others
who you would talk to. You might like Italians
and/or Italian culture and want to pursue those interests.
You might want to learn more about Italy and travel
there with people you already know. Maybe you’d
like to meet some friends to attend the opera. Or
maybe you just not have anything else to do.
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Q: What does “activity oriented” mean?
A: It means that GITA is going to provide numerous
activities so that members can meet each others
by doing the things they enjoy. Use your imagination.
Q: Who decides which activities take place?
A: Any member can promote any activity he likes
or contact another member who shares the same interests.
Q: How will I know which members share the same interests as I?
A: When you become a member you will be able to access the
profiles of other members. If you want to get in touch with
that member you can email them through GITA.
Q: Will GITA be sponsoring activities?
A: Indeed. We have members who have already volunteered
to spearhead certain events that appeal to them. For instance
GITA will be coordinating Italian tours, bicycle rides,
trips to baseball and football games, bridge classes and games,
tennis afternoons, bowling parties, movie and theatre sojourns,
beach excursions, golf outings, dances, etc. There’s got to be
something for everybody.
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Q: What if I don’t speak Italian and don’t want to speak Italian?
A: Speaking Italian isn’t necessary. If you’d like you can learn
to speak Italian by joining our Italian language classes.
Q: Will these language classes be for beginners?
A: Actually we have classes for beginners as well as more
advanced students. Classes meet on a regular basis and
are being coordinated by Mario Petri, who can be reached
at [email protected] or at 954-537-9557
Q: What if I’m not
gay or Italian American? Can I still join? Will
I be ridiculed and made to feel like a second class member?
A: Anyone NOT gay or Italian American is probably already
used to feeling a little disadvantaged. But don’t let that bother
you. You are still encouraged to become a member. Although the majority
of our members ARE Italian Americans the only requirement for membership
is an interest in Italian culture.
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Q: When and where did GITA begin?
A: GITA had its first social event on the second Monday
in May, 2003, at the Italian American Civic League in
Wilton Manors when over 90 people turned out. For the
second event GITA moved across the street to the Simply
Delish restaurant where more than 85 showed up for a
delicious buffet. In July we moved on to the larger new
Vico’s Restaurant in downtown Fort Lauderdale
where over 100 people were present for a great dinner
in a beautiful new restaurant. We now have over 200 members
and most have learned of us through word of mouth.
Q: Who was the brilliant person who dreamed up such an exciting new group?
A: We’ve determined that it was mostly Chuck Murabito
who was responsible.
Q: Wow! How did it happen? Did Chuck have a “vision”
or experience some kind of divine inspiration?
A: Actually, he had been studying Italian by himself for
more than three years using audio tapes (Pimsleur) and felt that
getting more Italian Americans together would help him with
his language program. So with the help of some friends they
spread the word and GITA was born.
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Q: Will there be regular meetings?
A: No. Only regular social events on the second Monday
of the month and then some irregular social events. For instance,
we’re looking forward to a big picnic at Birch State Park in the fall.
Q: Will there be hazing and some really neat ritualistic initiation
ceremony? Maybe something involving candles and blood?
A: Sorry, no plans for that sort of thing yet.
Q: Will there be some kind of secret GITA handshake or greeting?
A: No. Nothing official.
Q: Will I receive a fancy membership card that I can carry in my wallet?
A: Actually, we’re working on a card that will entitle you to receive discounts at
some exclusive locations. Stay tuned.
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Q: This sounds like an expensive operation. Just how much is this going to cost me? What are the dues?
A: There are no dues. Membership is free.
Q: That’s ridiculous! I feel like I should be paying something for all this fun.
A: Yes, it seems too good to be true, but it is! No dues. No membership fees.
Q: Are there any age or gender restrictions?
A: No.
Q: Who’s responsible for this website?
A: The website is maintained and hosted by
Graphic Web Design, Inc..
Q: Would they be able to help me if I wanted to have my own website?
A: Yes. I’m sure they’d be delighted.
You can contact them at:
[email protected] or at: (828)
246-0948.
Q: How come there are no meetings? Isn’t that unusual?
A: When GITA began it was organized just like any other
group. We had meetings and were about to have officers and
all the other accouterments of your basic club. It then became
apparent that the size and geographic sprawl of our community
was going to make that tedious. And some of us are impatient
and don’t have a lot of time to coordinate meetings. In addition,
we now have the internet. The internet can keep us in touch more
efficiently than was ever possible before. The vision of the group
and how it would function has changed repeatedly since the first
inspiration and first social event. And it’s still evolving.
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