Groups

The Pride Center of New Jersey offers a number of social and support groups.

There is a suggested $3 per-person donation for most meetings.  Our groups are open to adults 18 and over, unless otherwise noted.  Please confirm group meeting dates and times on our calendar.

Arts Adventures: Provides opportunities for PCNJ members and friends to participate with others in attending a variety of cultural events (i.e. theater, museums, galleries, concerts, opera and dance). The date, time and place of upcoming events are sent by e-mail. Contact artsadventures36@aol.com to learn more.

Bisexual Social Support Group: A safe space for bisexuals to come together to discuss issues pertaining to bisexuality and to socialize. Meets 7:30 pm -9:00 pm Second Tuesday of Every Month. For info email president@pridecenter.org . Currently on hiatus, we are looking for group facilitators to take turns hosting.

Booked For Lunch: A monthly noon time book club at the Pride Center to read and discuss thought-provoking fiction. Each month the group will pick a novel to read for the next month's discussion. Click on Booked for Lunch on the Pride Center calendar on the second Thursday to learn what book we will be discussing at that meeting. You may want to pick up lunch to bring with you; listed below are options immediately adjacent to the Pride Center for delicious take out. Contact Walter at whotkowski@aol.com to express interest and let us know you'll be joining us. Meets the second Thursday of the month, Noon till 1 at the Pride Center of New Jersey, 85 Raritan Avenue, Suite 100, Highland Park, New Jersey.

ComeOUT&Play: Social networking group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgenered 20- to 30-somethings in New Jersey. While based at the Pride Center of New Jersey in Highland Park, events are scheduled throughout the entire Garden State. Regular meetings occur at the Pride Center on the first and third Tuesdays of each month (except for holidays).

Educational Forum: The Educational Forum provides an opportunity for the LGBTIQ community to take part in enrichment sessions that vary in depth and interest. Past offerings have included: Practical Spanish, Writers’ Workshop, Men’s Massage Clinic, A Guide to Financial & Estate Planning, and many more. Sessions are run periodically. Signup for the Pride Center e-news to learn about new sessions.

Games Night: Come play board games and socialize! Bring a potluck dessert and show off your talents. Meets on the fourth Saturday of each month from 7:00PM - 10:00 PM.

Gay Dads’ Support Group: A monthly group focusing on parent/child issues for gay dads. Drop-ins are welcome. Meets first Wednesday of each month, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM. Email Joe (Explorejoel@yahoo.com) for more information.

Gay Educators Group: This will be a safe place for gay folks working in education to meet other gay folks in education. This will be a social group where members can meet new people and talk. We will meet at the Pride Center for on the First Thursday of each month and the members at that meeting will plan another event outside of the Pride Center. Drop-ins and new members are always welcomed to the first meeting each month at the Pride Center. For more info contact us at cnjguy1981@gmail.com Meets on the first Thursday of each month beginning October 2011. 7:30-9:30pm.

Gay Men’s Guild: The mission of the Gay Men's Guild (GMG) is to foster the continuance of the Pride Center of New Jersey by making a positive difference in the lives of gay men, by providing a nurturing environment of understanding and respect for gay men of New Jersey. The Guild is dedicated and committed to developing and maintaining a gay men’s community.

Gay Men’s Living Out Group: The Men's Living Out discussion group provides a safe and supportive environment where gay men meet for brotherhood and support. Meets every Wednesday from 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM.

Karaoke Party: All are welcome to come and sing your favorite songs on the new, digital karaoke system. We have a vast collection of tunes, and you can bring and sing your own. $5.00 donation requested. Meets first Friday of every month, 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM.

LGBT Activist Forum: The purpose of this forum will be to discuss, educate and inform ourselves respecting issues that affect the happiness, safety and civil rights of LGBT people in our immediate world and the world at large. The group will set its own agenda for topics to be discussed and will plan occasional related educational events for the Center community through guest speakers, panel presentations and films. 8:00-9:30 PM, monthly, 3rd Monday Contact pcnjrogoff@aol.com for more information.

Living Out Women: Living Out Women is a social group that offers women the opportunity to engage in discussions on a variety of subjects, meet-ups, trips, and lend each other help, support, and guidance. The idea is to create a place where we can meet new friends in a relaxed environment. We are open to gay, bisexual, transgendered, intersexed, queer, and the questioning community. Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of Every Month Time 7:30 - 9:00 PM Location Room 4, Contact livingoutwomen@gmail.com to learn more.

Meditation Group: Join us for a relaxing hour of guided meditation and self-actualization. All are welcome. Meets on the last Monday of the month, 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM. Contact joe121078@gmail.com to learn more.

Men’s Coming Out Group: A moderated discussion group for issues related to coming out as gay men. Men vote on the topic of the day. Meets every Wednesday at 7:30 pm. Send e-mail to njwarrior@aol.com for more info.

Metropolitan Community Church of Christ the Liberator (MCC CTL): Metropolitan Community Church of Christ the Liberator (MCC CTL) worships at The Pride Center of New Jersey. Services are held every Sunday at 10:45 AM; there is a fellowship meal after service on the second Sunday of the month, as well as other periodic social and educational events. MCC is a Christian denomination which was founded in 1968 by queer activist Troy Perry to minister to the gay and lesbian communities. The church started in Los Angeles and is now in nearly every state as well as eighteen other countries worldwide. Its ministry has expanded over the years to include the entire queer spectrum—GLBTQI and our Allies. The local branch of MCC, called Christ the Liberator, was founded in 1978 and has been located over the years in various townships of Middlesex County. The current pastor is the Reverend Dr. Thomas Bohache, whose publications include The Queer Bible Commentary (editor and contributor) and Christology from the Margins (author), both published by SCM Press of London. Everyone is welcome at MCC CTL, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, physical ability, age, or religious background. MCC CTL preaches a gospel of inclusion for all, celebrating rather than tolerating our queerness. Come and learn and grow! For further information, please call 732.823.2193 or consult the website at www.mccctl.com.

Movie Social: LGBT themed movie shown on our FABULOUS DVD Projector. Facilitated discussion usually follows film. Meets on the second Saturday of each month at 7:00 PM. Contact hagol@msn.com to learn more.

New Jersey Furs: A social group that meets in a safe space to discuss ideas. A public community, anyone is welcome to inquire or join. Most members are gay or bisexual. Meets second and fourth Saturdays at 2pm.

Overeater’s Anonymous: Mondays, 7:30pm. A program of recovery for compulsive overeaters using the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively. Open Big Book meeting. For more information, please contact Mark D. at 973-879-3038 or markdoa@gmail.com –or– Sarita at 732-233-5465.

Stitch n’ Bitch: Come Stitch with us! We meet on Monday nights from 7:30 till --, and whether you crochet or knit, you are welcome to come join us! Its all for fun and to just enjoy each others company as we crochet or knit away.

Straight Spouse Support Group: Share you story, listen to others. Meet with others whose partners have come out to them mid-marriage. Family Members are also invite to attend this group. Who else can know most about what you're addressing than other's who've gone through it or are going through it now? The Pride Center aims to provide a safe space to find support from others addressing similar issues. Meets monthly on the 2nd Thursday at 7:30 PM

The After School HangOUT: Support and Social Group for LGBTIQ youth 17 and younger and their straight allies! Come hang out with us at a save place to talk, meet new people, and have fun! It's an extension of our current Youth Drop-In that happens the Second and Forth Saturdays of the month! When: Meeting every Friday afternoon at 3:30-6:30pm

Torah Queeries: Torah study through a queer lens, using as a jumping point for discussion, the book: Torah Queeries, Weekly Commentaries on the Hebrew Bible (available through Amazon.com). Its chapters contain liberating and healing messages, inspired by and drawn from Biblical texts, on the interface of our Jewish and LGBT identities. For inquiries or to register, contact David Rogoff at dvdgrog@aol.com. $3.00 donation to the Pride Center requested at each session. Meets on the third Sunday of each month at the Pride Center, from 4:30-6 PM (Starting January 2011).

Triangle Circle Players: Triangle Circle Players is a new community theater production company being formed by Darren Nye, which will focus on LGBTIQ topics. They will have their first public meeting at The Pride Center of New Jersey on Tuesday September 20th from 7pm till about 10pm. Darren is looking for other leaders to join the Board of Trustees, as well as actors and a production crew. To get the company off the ground, Darren's goal is to produce and direct "Avow" by Bill C Davis. Those interested in volunteering to be part of the Board, the Avow creative and/or production team, or actors interested in auditioning, should visit www.TriangleCirclePlayers.org for more information or write to casting@trianglecircleplayers.org. Meets on the third Tuesday of each month beginning September 2011. 7-10pm.

TrueSelves: 3rd Sunday, 4 -6 PM. A facilitated support group exclusively for and about transgender-identified individuals, regardless of where on the transgender spectrum you believe you live. TrueSelves is a safe place where you can share your feelings and experiences in an open, non-judgmental and accepting atmosphere. For more information please contact StephanieBattaglino, stephaniefyh@gmail.com . TrueSelves does not meet during the months of July and August.

Tuesday Night Men’s Social: Social, educational, rap, potlucks, for everyone. Meets second & fourth Tuesdays @ 8:00 p.m. Email njrj@aol.com for info.

U.P.P. ( United People Positive): U.P.P. (United People POZ) is a forum for HIV+ gay men and their supporters. We offer a safe space to meet, find support, make friends, and get to know each other. Brotherhood, solidarity and supporting our community is our main focus. E-mail Wayde for more information at wtoman@hotmail.com. This group meets every second Friday and fourth Thursday of the month 7:30-9pm.

Under the Rainbow: Both a discussion group and a social group for young GLBT people ages 18-23 The group meets the 4th Saturday of each month from 4:30PM-7:30PM. There are discussions about anything from coming out to relationships. It's a safe place to make new friends. Please contact bassoonbaffoon@gmail.com for more details.

Women Coming Out Support Group: This group provides a supportive environment for women who are at any stage of the coming out process. Women of all ages who consider themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual, or questioning are welcome. Ages 18 and over. Meets on the third Thursday of every month, 7:30PM to 9:00PM. For more information contact leighpafford@yahoo.com or pegs76@gmail.com .

Writers’ Group: Creative writing and discussion group. Meets every Thursday, from 7:30PM - 9:00PM.

Yoga for Men: No yoga experience or level of flexibility required. All levels welcome. Bring a yoga mat and a hand towel. Led by Steven A. Russell (DYRT), he seeks to enable others to find a body of vibrant health, a mind free from restlessness, and a soul that radiantly sings from the core of existence. He combines his experience as a yogi and a musician, working with breath, vibration, concentration, and movement, to present uplifting and relaxing yoga classes. Steven has been practicing yoga for over ten years. He is a certified teacher of Dharma Yoga, having studied with Sri Dharma Mittra in NYC. All are welcome to attend his classes, from the beginner to the experienced. Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 7:30PM-9:00PM. Email steven@stevenarussell.com for more information.

Young Men’s Social Network: A social/ support group for men 18-40. Meets every 1st and 3rd Monday at 8:00 pm. We talk about sex, love, sexuality, family life, pop culture, relationships and other related topics. Afterwards we socialize at a restaurant/diner in the area. For more information e-mail shy.matsi@gmail.com . Meets 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 8:00-9:30pm. Begins Sept. 5, 2011.

Youth Drop In: For LGBTIQ youth and their straight allies ages 17 and under. Meets second and fourth Saturdays at 1:00 p.m.

“Out of the Box” Open Mic Night: Out of the Box Open Mic Night is an open-mic for ALL TYPES OF PERFORMERS poets, singers, comedians, tragedians, musicians, jugglers, etc, etc, etc. hosted by Pandora Scooter and Stephen Jones. It's held on the THIRD FRIDAY of EVERY MONTH from 8:00 to about 10:30 PM at Stage Stars, 13 South Third Avenue in Highland Park, NJ. Light nosh and low octane beverages served. Admission: $5 donation/ $3 for students. Info: outoftheboxinfo@mac.com or 732-718-0134.