Theme-centered Support Groups

Let’s work through it together

Identity House peer support groups are typically an 8 week closed gathering of individuals who come together, overseen by two facilitators, to talk with one another about their experiences, struggles and challenges. A peer support group is a freeing experience, as these individuals realize “I am not alone,” and hope and trust grow between them.

Support Groups FAQ →

Current & Upcoming Groups

Mondays

Queer Connections – All Identities

Starting October 2nd, 2023

This 8-week interactive support group facilitated by 2 volunteer peer counselors aims to provide an inclusive, affirmative and safe space where queer people of all identities can connect and share their experiences and challenges. The issues we will explore can include—but are not limited to—relationships, loneliness, coming out, sexuality, identity, family, career, mental health, life transitions and more, depending on the group’s interests. Our goal is to build a LGBTQ+ community where people can learn from each other, grow and feel empowered to move forward.

This is a closed group that will meet in person at The Center, 208 W. 13th St., New York, NY. The group will meet on Mondays 7:30-9:30pm ET for 8 weeks, beginning October 2, 2023.
Request to Join

Thursdays

Queer Across Cultures

Starting August 3, 2023

Queer Across Cultures is an in-person support and discussion group that will run for 8 weeks starting in August 2023. The group will provide a safe and confidential space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to connect and explore how we’ve navigated our queerness in relation to the norms, roles, traditions and expectations of different settings and communities in our lives – religious, cultural, and linguistic, among others. How do religion and culture intersect with our queer identities? How do we authentically express who we are to different people in our lives who may have different categories for understanding gender, sexuality, and what it means to be queer? What practices and traditions do we want to reclaim or adapt for ourselves going forward, when messages of suppression and rejection can feel intertwined with the spaces that feel most like home? What do we grieve and leave behind? What will we choose to reinvent? Participants can expect discussion around topics like these and beyond. This group is for anyone across the LGBTQIA+ community who is interested in meaningful exchange with others whose backgrounds might differ from their own.

This is a closed group that will meet in person at The Center, 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011. The group meets once a week for 8 weeks, on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm Eastern Time, beginning August 03, 2023.

Request to Join

Past Group Topics

Lesbians’ Coming Out
Gay Men’s Coming Out
Trans/Non-Binary
Gender Exploration
Bisexual & Pansexual
GBTQ Men of Color

Interested in one of these topics, or have a suggestion for another group?

Support Groups FAQ

How do support groups work?

Group members are able to talk with other people who are like themselves — people who truly understand what they’re going through and can share the type of practical insights that can only come from firsthand experience.
When and where are the groups?

Check this page for an up-to-date list of current and upcoming groups. The date and time for the group will be set in advance, and the location will be shared with the members once they have joined.
How do I sign up for a group?

Select the group you’re interested and fill out the Request to Join form. If there is space available, the group facilitator will invite you to a screening. Groups that are currently ongoing may be closed and no longer accepting new members. In that case, you can sign up to be notified of future groups.
Can I miss a group?

Please sign up for a group when you know you can commit to the time. We believe being present for the full 8 weeks provides the richest experience for the individual and the group as a whole. We know life happens, so if you need to miss a group please let the facilitators know. Multiple absences may lead to individuals being asked to leave the group.
What does a group look like?

Each group is run by two Identity House facilitators. Session are usually two hours long. Most groups have between 8 and 12 people but that can vary. The groups are focused on topics, which are explored during each meeting. Past groups have included Coming Out, Transgender Support, Gender Exploration, Black and Latino Gay Men, Bisexual and Pansexual Support, among others.
How much do groups cost?

Identity House is completely donation based. We suggest $25 per session, but no one will be turned away due to inability to pay. Some individuals choose to pay for the full eight weeks up front, others pay each week.
Can I join a group after it’s started?

Most of our groups are closed, meaning once it has started, no new members are added. Any groups that do accept new members after they begin will be labeled “drop-in.” If you cannot make the first session, please let the facilitators know.
Can I bring a friend?

No. In order to build trust and maintain confidentiality sessions are limited to group members only.