Posted on January 21st, 2021
What makes a youth program anti-racist? How do you impact the culture of a predominantly White organization? Which steps are the hardest, and which have been the most successful? We spoke with program manager Kay Gordon (they/them, pictured here) about these questions—and many others—in an attempt to share a bit about what we’ve learned as […]
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Posted on January 19th, 2021
We recently added several new adult advisors to our team. Advisors help to plan and facilitate our youth meetings and serve as role models for participants. To give you a sense of the adults you might meet at our programs, we did a virtual interview with one of our newest adult advisors, Maria. Here’s what […]
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Posted on January 7th, 2021
As part of Natick’s 2021 MLK Day observance, OUT MetroWest is running a virtual activity room. One of our activities is coloring! We’ve made three coloring sheets featuring people who were close to Dr. Martin Luther King. Each of them made huge contributions to the LGBTQ+ community either as a member or as an ally. […]
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Posted on December 29th, 2020
Thanks to feedback from youth participants and community members, we’re creating a drop-in space specifically for LGBTQ+ and ally youth who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). The group is social and supportive and responsive to youth needs and suggestions. Our first sessions were held virtually during the 2020-21 school year and were […]
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Posted on December 23rd, 2020
On Tuesday, December 29, we’re hosting a free virtual event for gender expansive children (ages preschool through Grade 5) and their families. We’ve divided this event into two parts: the first for younger children, and the second for older children. Both segments will be facilitated by gender expansive adults and will feature gender-affirming books. Siblings […]
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Posted on November 22nd, 2020
We recently added several new adult advisors to our team. Advisors help to plan and facilitate our youth meetings and serve as role models for participants. To give you a sense of the adults you might meet at our programs, we did a virtual interview with one of our newest adult advisors, Lily. Here’s what […]
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Posted on November 5th, 2020
Our seventh annual Come OUT & Celebrate gala was a festive evening full of touching tributes, powerful messages, and youth voice. We heard directly from the young people, families, and local residents who are part of our community, and their stories were truly inspiring. The virtual event opened with The Kinsey Scales’ a cappella version […]
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Posted on October 6th, 2020
Friday, October 30, 2020 On Friday, October 30, we’re celebrating the season with a virtual party for gender expansive children ages pre-K through grade 5, along with their siblings and grown-ups! The event will be facilitated by gender expansive adults and teens and will be held via Zoom. 3 to 3:45 p.m. is for younger […]
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Posted on September 29th, 2020
Saturday, October 24, 7-8 p.m. OUT MetroWest’s seventh annual Come OUT & Celebrate event will celebrate the local community and raise funds for our LGBTQ+ youth programs! This year, Come OUT & Celebrate will bring inspiration from all over the region and deliver it right to your home! Join us as we shine a light on […]
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Posted on September 3rd, 2020
Even when we’re physically distant, there are people who will listen and understand! Our meetings are all online, free, and don’t require an RSVP. Join us whenever you are able! In addition to our free online meetings, here are a few resources for when you need extra support: Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 The Trevor Project 866-488-7386 or […]
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Posted on September 1st, 2020
A note from our Come OUT & Celebrate chairperson, Angelique Tung: Ordinarily, late summer would find us planning for our annual Come OUT & Celebrate event, where we revel in the company of those who believe in the beauty and power of LGBTQ+ youth. For the past six years, this event has honored advocates and […]
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Posted on August 24th, 2020
Being an LGBTQ+ organization means showing up for racial justice. On August 16, OUT MetroWest staff, youth participants, and parents gathered on Natick Common as part of a demonstration for Black lives. We continue to attend protests and vigils across the region; staff and board members have recently been part of demonstrations in Acton, Boston, […]
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Posted on August 24th, 2020
We’re answering LGBTQ+ FAQs (Frequently Awkward Questions)! At a virtual session on August 25, we’ll go over some basic LGBTQ+ vocabulary and then dive into questions that lots of people have but feel weird asking, such as: *Can I say the word queer?*Do bisexual guys really exist?*Should straight people go to Pride?*What’s all the buzz […]
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Posted on July 13th, 2020
Trans and gender expansive high school youth are invited to join us for our virtual Umbrella meeting this Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at 6:45 p.m. Our featured guest will be Schuyler Bailar, the first transgender athlete to have competed on a Division 1 NCAA men’s athletic team. Schuyler swam for Harvard University. Umbrella alums are […]
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Posted on June 11th, 2020
We’re excited to announce that Whitney Retallic has joined us as OUT MetroWest’s new executive director. For more than 20 years, Whitney has developed programs for youth and young adults, including time as a Unitarian Universalist youth coordinator and as advisor to an LGBTQ+ student organization. Whitney brings strong experience building organizational structures, nurturing community […]
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Posted on June 11th, 2020
A few times each year, we send out an e-newsletter to community members. It’s a great way to find out about our programs, local events, and how you can support LGBTQ+ youth in MetroWest Boston. To sign up to receive these emails, click here. Want to see our latest edition? You can find it here.
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Posted on June 4th, 2020
Our mission is to build communities where LGBTQ+ youth thrive, and working for racial justice is a necessary part of that commitment. Here is a note from our board chair, Donna Tambascio, followed by more information about how we are doing this critical work. The pandemic has changed life for all of us; it has […]
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Posted on May 25th, 2020
Updated 6/10/2020: We’ve cancelled our Rolling Pride Parade originally scheduled for this Saturday in order to focus our energies on two important demonstrations. Our mission is to build communities where LGBTQ+ youth thrive. Without racial justice, this isn’t possible. So we’re showing up this weekend alongside so many of our neighbors to advance that cause, […]
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Posted on April 17th, 2020
With schools closed, many LBGTQ+ youth need places to connect with supportive peers and adult role models. Since mid-March, we’ve been offering all of our regularly-scheduled meetings online. Youth can video chat, audio chat, chat by typing, or simply listen. Remember: allies are welcome at our drop-in, Nexus, and WAGLY programs! If you are not […]
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Posted on March 30th, 2020
On Tuesday, March 31 at 8 p.m., OUT MetroWest staff members will offer a 45-minute online presentation answering frequently asked questions about LGBTQ+ topics. Are you wondering if people still say homosexual? Curious why so many kids these days are transgender? Unsure of how to use gender-neutral pronouns respectfully? This is the presentation for you! […]
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