Support Groups
Greater Boston PFLAG started with a small group of parents with LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) children who began meeting in private homes in Cambridge in 1978. Today we are part of a national grass-roots organization with over 500 PFLAG chapters located throughout the United States and the world. We are parents, families, friends and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons who are committed to giving support to one another.
Our support groups, which we call chapter meetings, are a great place to get to know other people with LGBT family members and friends, and to receive information and support. Meetings are relaxed and informal, and everyone is welcome. We start with a brief information/business session and devote the remaining time to support. Each person has an opportunity to speak, but no one is pressured. Discussions are completely confidential.
A variety of people attend our meetings. They range from those who have just learned that their loved one is gay and who are struggling with disappointment and concern, to those who embrace their children's or loved one's homosexuality. LGBT persons, some closeted and some out, are also participants. Attendance varies every month and can range from four to 30 people.
Greater Boston PFLAG Support Groups
Arlington
2nd Tuesday of the month, 7:15pm
First Parish Church, Sunshine Nursery School, 630 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington
Contact: Ann at pflagarlmass@yahoo.com or 781-891-5966
Group for parents of transgender and/or gender variant children of any age
Two Locations:
Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center, 130 Boylston St., Boston
Meets on scheduled Wednesday and Thursday dates from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Greater Boston PFLAG office, 85 River St, Waltham
Meets on scheduled Saturday dates from 9am to 11am
Please contact Melissa MacNish at 857-719-4237 or email melissa.macnish@gbpflag.org for more information and to receive a schedule of meeting dates. You may learn more about Melissa at http://themeetingpoint.org
Cape Ann
1st Tuesday of the month, 7:00pm
First Universalist Church of Essex, 57 Main St., Essex (the intersection of routes 133 and 22) www.uuessex.org for directions
Contact: Melanie at weeartie@yahoo.com or call 978-768-3690
Concord
3rd Sunday of the month, 7:00pm
Trinity Episcopal Church Library, 81 Elm St. (enter from River St.), Concord
Contact: Beth at bobandbethshaw@gmail.com or 978-448-3999
Easton
4th Monday of the month (if holiday, then 3rd Monday), 7:30pm
Unity Church, 9 Main St., Easton
Contact: Dianne at pflagsouth@verizon.net or 781-891-5966
Metrowest
4th Monday of the month, 7:00pm
Rice House, 309 Washington Street, Wellesley Hills
Rice House is on the campus of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Wellesley Hills
Contact: metrowestpflag@verizon.net or 781-891-5966
Andover, Merrimack Valley
4th Tuesday of the month, 7:00pm
South Church, 41 Central St., Andover, MA
Contact: merrimackvalleypflag@gmail.com or 781-891-5966
Reading
2nd Thursday of the month, 7:30pm
Loring House, 211 Summer Ave., Reading.
Loring House is on the campus of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading, at the intersection of Woburn St. and Summer Ave. Look for the rainbow flag on the porch.
Contact: Martha at pflagreading@aol.com
Other PFLAG Support Groups
Brewster/Cape Cod
3rd Monday of the month, 7:00pm
First Parish Brewster, intersection of route 6A and Breakwater Rd., Brewster
Contact: 508-255-5476 or info@pflagcapecod.org
Falmouth/Cape Cod
Last Tuesday of the month, 6:30pm
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, 840 Sandwich Road, East Falmouth.
Contact: 508-420-0696 or amy@pflagcapecod.org
Martha's Vineyard
3rd Sunday fo the month, 3:00pm
Unitarian Universalist Church, 238 Main St., Vineyard Haven
Contact: rabrown1950@aol.com or 508-627-4948
Northampton
2nd Tuesday of the month, 6:00pm
Highland Valley Elder Services, Cutlery Building, 320 Riverside Dr.
Contact: Jane at jcmalinski48@gmail.com or 413 625-6636
Springfield
4th Wednesday of the month, 7:00pm
Feeding Hills Congregational Church, 21 N Westfield St., Feeding Hills
Contact: agrace1966@comcast.net or 413-786-5061
Worcester
3rd Wednesday of the month, 7:00pm
The Bridge, 4 Mann St., Worcester
Contact: Laura at 508 631-2699 or safehomes@thebridgecm.org
Meetings of Related Organizations
Always Our Children
1st Tuesday of the month, 7:00pm
Community Room of Sacred Heart Convent (behind Sacred Heart Church), 395 Chestnut St., Springfield
Contact: www.fortunatefamilies.com or Ann 413-736-6803
Straight Spouses Group
Boston group, contact: ssn.boston@straightspouse.org or call Ivan at 978-618-6670. Other areas: www.straightspouse.org/
Transgender Group
Waltham/Tiffany Club of New England
Contact: 781-899-3230 or 781-891-9325
