Ethan Ide, a senior entrepreneurship student at Babson College, is passionate about fostering connection and belonging within the LGBTQ+ community.
His signature gesture—a single pink nail painted with nail polish—serves as a personal emblem of both his identity and his role as the founder of the Boston Queer Club (BQC).
The social group aims to create a welcoming environment for queer college students seeking friendship and support.
“What we’re doing in Boston is building a blueprint for community and how to create community,” Ide explained.
Growing up in Los Angeles, Ide attended an all-boys Jesuit high school, where he struggled to connect with peers after coming out as gay.
His attempts to establish a Gay-Straight Alliance club faced pushback from the school administration, leaving him feeling disconnected.
Ide found limited opportunities for socializing until he turned to dating apps, where he realized they were more suited for hookups than friendship.
Upon his arrival at Babson, he hoped to find a more vibrant LGBTQ+ community but was met with disappointment.
While Babson offered an LGBTQ+ student group and some resources through the Office of Belonging and Inclusion, the focus remained largely on educational events rather than on social engagement.
“I started to meet people who had very similar stories to me, and all of them kind of told me the same thing. And by the end, it was, ‘Ethan. You don’t understand. There aren’t people like me out there. I don’t have gay friends like you, you don’t get it,’” he recalled.
Recognizing a widespread need for community among queer students, many of whom were intimidated by existing groups, Ide felt compelled to take action.
In the spring of 2023, he conceptualized the Boston Queer Club, dedicating time to researching social needs within the LGBTQ+ community.
He interviewed 25 students from various colleges to identify their experiences and social challenges related to their sexual orientation.
Additionally, he visited LGBTQ+ spaces across Boston, conversing with staff to determine what programming was effective and what fell short.
Through this research, Ide learned that many students felt their options were limited, often resorting to dating apps for social connection.
For those under 21, local gay bars were inaccessible, leaving few options for social gatherings.
“When I talked to all these queer students, they felt like they weren’t gay enough to be in these clubs. They were super intimidated,” Ide said.
In April 2023, the Boston Queer Club hosted its first comedy show at the Cambridge Community Center, featuring a performance by a local improv group.
This event laid the groundwork for additional programming, kicking off a series of concerts and comedy shows aimed at building community and having fun.
With a committed team of volunteers from various Boston colleges, Ide’s initiative has gained momentum since its inception.
Last semester, BQC doubled the number of events, attracting an average of 30 attendees each time and significantly increasing ticket revenue.
One of the core elements of the Boston Queer Club is the “Pink Promise.”
Prospective members agree to treat all event participants with respect, empathy, compassion, and acceptance, contributing to a safe and inclusive atmosphere.
To signify this commitment, club members paint one fingernail pink, allowing them to enjoy discounted admission and other perks at BQC events.
Amid rising attacks against the LGBTQ+ community across the nation, Ide emphasized the importance of having a secure space.
“When somebody shows up to an event with a single nail painted pink, they’re making a promise to be a safe, supportive, inclusive member of our community,” he said.
“Then when you’re in a room of pink nails, you see that other people have made that promise to you.”
This summer, the Boston Queer Club has organized three events, including an open mic night and a group participation in the Boston Pride parade, which followed with a celebratory concert.
Looking ahead to the fall, Ide aims to host at least eight diverse events, introducing activities such as arts and crafts nights, a book club, picnics, and club nights.
Ide’s vision for the BQC is ambitious: he hopes to launch a merchandise line and a BQC-branded pink nail polish.
In the coming years, he envisions expanding the organization to other cities that have large college populations but limited LGBTQ+ resources.
“It’s a small but mighty organization that we’ve built here,” Ide concluded.
Through the Boston Queer Club, he has not only found a way to connect with others but also a platform to advocate for inclusivity and support within the LGBTQ+ community.
image source from：https://www.masslive.com/boston/2025/06/how-a-college-entrepreneur-built-boston-queer-club-one-pink-fingernail-at-at-time.html
