Frequently people ask members of the LGBTQ+ Task Force how they can learn about and support our community. Most of us at FPC are aware that our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex friends are threatened by right-wing groups and state governments across America. Even in Massachusetts, where gender and sexual identity rights are protected by law, hate crimes rose dramatically last year.
In today's context, showing up at a Pride month event matters. Allies at Pride show the community they are respected and loved, and it normalizes that support when some would divide us. As a bonus, the events are fun for everyone to attend!
May-June 2025 PRIDE MONTH
Email lgbtq@fpc-stow-acton.org if you want to participate with other FPC members at PRIDE month events.
FPC Workshop: What You Need to Know about the Anti-Trans Movement: June 1
This is a discussion-based workshop based on a video by Alex Kapitan's Transforming Hearts Collective. Come see the video and join the discussion about how the Anti-Trans Movement affects people of all genders. (We hope to offer a set of 3 workshops, including a repeat/update of this one in fall of 2025).
- Workshop Sunday June 1, 11:15-1 pm FPC Community Room
Nashoba Valley Pride Festival: May 18
- (organized by NASJA - Nashoba Area Social Justice Alliance board)
- Sunday May 18, 2025 1-5 pm in Bolton Town Common
- Parade from Emerson School at 1 pm, speakers, children's & Teen activiies, music, food, vendors
- nashobaareasja.org
- Instagram & Facebook @nashobavalleypride
- FPC will host a table - contact lgbtq@fpc-stow-acton.org to join us!
Maynard PrideFest: June 7
- Saturday June 7, 2025
- Pride in the Park Festival, Veterans Park & Summer St 12-5pm
- Dog parade at noon
- See webpage below for schedule of music, country line dancing, speakers and some of the great food options
- https://www.maynardpride.org
- FPC will host a table - contact / to join us!
Sudbury Pride Day: June 8
- Sunday June 8, 2025
- Curtis Middle School
- Good event to bring your youth and children.
Boston Pride for the People: June 14
- Saturday June 14, 2025, 11-4
- Boston Common & City Hall Plaza
- https://www.bostonprideforthepeople.org/
- Big focus on Boston Common including for teens, families with young kids, food trucks, etc.
Acton-Westford Pride: June 21
- Saturday June 21, 2025 12-3pm
- Free at Nara Park Amphitheater; also a good event for youth and children
- Proposing an FPC Table
- https://actionnetwork.org/events/acton-westford-pride-festival-2025
Monthly Events
ADULTS Monthly
Trans Community of New England (TCNE):
- a free Virtual Workshop on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm
- tcne.org/events/workshop-wednesdays
YOUTH and ADULTS Monthly
OUTMetroWest offers regular support groups for LGBTQ+ youth and their families
outmetrowest.org
Satellite in Acton - new in 2024
- Hosts LGBTQ+ Youth in Middle/High School for Games, Arts & Crafts on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 7:00-8:30pm (e.g. April 11, 2024) Danny's Place, 543 Massachusetts Ave, Acton
- Parallel Pflag support group for parents/caregivers
- Registration Required for both: https://www.hisawyer.com/dannys-place/schedules/activity-set/572791
UUA UPLIFT Gathering for Trans/Nonbinary+ Community
- 4th Tuesdays 8-9:30pm ET Monthly Sept-June
- Multigenerational, for ages 14+ (13 and under bring a trusted adult)
- Closed space for Trans/Nonbinary+
- See https://www.uua.org/lgbtq/transnb for the virtual link and registration
UUA UPLIFT Pastoral Care Space for Trans/Nonbinary+ Community
- 2nd Friday 8-9 pm ET Monthly Sept-June
- Adults only
- Closed space for Trans/Nonbinary+ support for navigating life
- See https://www.uua.org/lgbtq/transnb for the virtual link and registration
Upcoming Events
UUA UPLIFT Action Programs
- UUA Side with Love lists upcoming events for LGBTQ+ and Reproductive Justice Issues
- https://sidewithlove.org/upliftaction
January 2025
First Event Conference - Boston - Thursday January 30 - Saturday February 1
- Hosted by Trans Community of New England (TCNE)
- Boston Park Plaza Hotel
4 days full of incredibly valuable workshops such as how to share your story, gender-affirming voice, hair, clothing, styling, trans medicine, legal issues, trans rights, exploring bigender duality, ... fashion shows, vendors
Trans youth and Family Track - Saturday February 1
Youth & Families track including: parenting with pride panel, mental health care for trans youth, gender-affirming care, teens & youth makeup, MGH/MGB transgender health programs, queer resistance at New College, Florida, Brookline High new Queer Student Program,
- Co-hosted by Greater Boston PFLAG Includes youth, family and young adult targeted sessions
- tcne.org
- Event Schedule 2025: https://tcne.org/first-event/event-schedule/
- Event Registration 2025: https://tcne.org/first-event/registration/
- pflag.org
March 2025
Summer Camps
Check LGBTQ+ and Allies summer camp application deadlines: PFLAG Camps for Youth
Trans Youth Summit
- 2025 date: Saturday March 22rd 9am-4:30pm
- Florida Ruffin Ridley School, Brookline MA
- Open to trans/nonbinary youth 25 and under
- with separate track for parents/guardians/caregivers
- Get FREE Tickets here: bagly.org/tys
- co-sponsored by Bagly, pflag, OUTMetroWest
LGBTQ+*/TGQNB* Days of Observance
First Wednesday of February - National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
March 31 - International Transgender Day of Visibility
April 11 - Day of Silence (US)
April 26 - International Lesbian Visibility Day
May 17 - International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
June - LGBT Pride Month
June 28 - Stonewall Riots Anniversary
September 23 - Celebrate Bisexuality Day
October - LGBT History Month (USA)
October 11 - National Coming Out Day
October 26 - Intersex Awareness Day
November 2 - Transgender Parent Day
November 20 - Transgender Day of Remembrance
December 1 - Worlds AIDS Day
https://seattlepride.org/news/2025-lgbtqia-holidays-remembrances
*LGBTQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, + (Asexual, Aromantic, …)
*TGQNB stands for Transgender, Genderqueer & Non-Binary
