Cherry: A New Digital Haven for the Queer Sapphic Community

In 2021, Sophia Schiaroli, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, began organizing casual “Gay Girl Walks” in Philadelphia to connect with the local queer sapphic community.

What started as a simple idea quickly blossomed into Philly Gay Girls+, a thriving social group offering events like picnics, yoga sessions, and even farm visits.

With over 6,000 members and chapters in cities such as Washington, D.C., Dallas, Denver, and Chicago, Philly Gay Girls+ has become a major source of connection and community for queer sapphic individuals.

Now, Schiaroli is expanding her vision with the launch of Cherry, a groundbreaking app designed to foster deeper connections within the queer sapphic community.

Unlike traditional dating apps, Cherry is not just about romantic matches—it’s about creating friendships, finding local events, and building a safe, inclusive space for everyone, including women, trans, and nonbinary people.



The Need for Cherry

Schiaroli’s experience with Philly Gay Girls+ revealed gaps in existing platforms like Instagram and Geneva when it came to meeting the unique needs of the queer sapphic community.

While these platforms allowed for some interaction, they often lacked the targeted tools to facilitate meaningful, lasting connections.

Cherry seeks to address this by creating a dedicated platform where members can discover events, meet new friends, and connect with like-minded people—all while maintaining a strong focus on safety and inclusivity.



Building Cherry

Cherry is a collaborative effort, built by an all-queer team that includes members from Philly Gay Girls+.

Schiaroli’s team has been working tirelessly to develop the app, with a prototype set to undergo testing with select users in early 2025.

The app’s launch is targeted for mid-2025, but to accelerate its development, Schiaroli and her team launched a Kickstarter campaign in late November 2024.

The campaign aims to raise $75,000 by January 1, 2025, to fund critical steps like further development, testing, and marketing.

Supporters can contribute to the campaign and learn more about Cherry by visiting the official Kickstarter page: Cherry: The Queer Social App.



A Vision for the Future

Cherry isn’t just an app—it’s a movement.

By creating a digital space that prioritizes the unique needs of queer sapphic individuals, Cherry offers the potential to transform how this community connects and grows.

It aims to provide tools for real-world engagement, fostering relationships that extend beyond the screen.

This is particularly significant for queer people living in areas with limited LGBTQ+ resources, offering a much-needed sense of belonging and support.

As the countdown to its launch continues, Cherry represents a beacon of hope and innovation, signaling a brighter future for the queer sapphic community.

Join the movement, support the campaign, and be part of this exciting journey at Cherry: The Queer Social App.