The cornerstone of The Frederick Center is its support programs. Read about the many opportunities for peer-to-peer discussion and friendship.
Worth the Wait: Held on the first and third Thursday of each month from 6:00-8:00pm at The Frederick Center. Worth the Wait is a support group and social group for LGBTQ+ identifying adults ages 18+ who have come out “later in life”. “Later in life” can mean different things for different people, and we allow potential group members to decide if they feel as though this description fits their experience. LGBTQ+ folks who come out after adolescence face unique challenges and are impacted by their identity and coming out experience daily. This support group aims to provide a safe, affirming, and helpful space to make new friends, build connections in the community, and receive support from peers in relation to their LGBTQ+ identity.
This group meets twice monthly, on the first and third Thursday from 6:00-8:00pm at The Frederick Center, 322 West Patrick Street. These groups are facilitated by The Frederick Center’s program director, who is an LGBTQ+ identifying facilitator.
Healing Pride is an open and ongoing free support group specifically for adult (ages 18+) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer (LGBTQ) survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and/or intimate partner violence. It is a partnership between The Frederick Center and Heartly House.
- Meetings are facilitated by licensed therapists from Heartly House.
- Participants must perform an telephone intake with Heartly House.
- Please call 301-662-8800 to complete the intake.
- Location and time will be shared after the intake process.
Heartly House is the only organization in Frederick County, Maryland, that provides comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. They have been providing these services since 1979. Services include: a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, individual and group counseling, victim advocate services and legal representation, medical advocacy, abuse intervention groups, and community outreach and professional education. While all services are confidential, please be advised that they are mandated by law to report child abuse, as well as threats of suicide or homicide. www.heartlyhouse.org
TransTeens is the Frederick Center’s free, biweekly support group for teens ages 14-18 who identify as transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and/or who are questioning their gender identity. The group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 6:30-8:00 pm. The first meeting of the month is in person at The Frederick Center, and the second meeting is held via Zoom. Facilitated by M. McKelvie (they/them), a transgender licensed mental health clinician from the Maryland Center for Gender & Intimacy, TransTeens is a safe, nonjudgmental space for gender-diverse teens to find community, navigate challenges, share resources, and celebrate their identities. Do you know a teenager interested in attending? Email M. at [email protected] with questions and to request to join.
TransPartners is The Frederick Center’s free, biweekly support group for partners of transgender and nonbinary people. The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 7-8:30 pm via Zoom. TransPartners is a supportive, nonjudgmental space in which to navigate the joys and challenges of relationships with gender-diverse partners. Adults 18+ of all genders welcome. Facilitated by Emma Batting, LMSW, of the Maryland Center for Gender and Intimacy. Interested in attending? Email Emma at [email protected] or with questions or to request the Zoom link.
TransFamily is a free support group for parents and guardians of transgender, non-binary, and other gender-diverse young people. This group meets twice monthly on the first and third Saturday of every month. The first Saturday is held in person at The Frederick Center, and the second meeting is held via Zoom. It is a nonjudgmental space for learning how to strengthen family relationships, navigate gender transition, and support your gender-diverse loved one. This group is for caregivers only, no children are permitted to attend. TransFamily is facilitated by Kitt Klassen (they/them), a trans-identifying therapist from the Maryland Center for Gender and Intimacy. Interested in joining or have questions? Email Kitt at [email protected].
Trans & Gender Non-Binary Community Group is free group for transgender and nonbinary adults. This group meets on the first Wednesday and the third Thursday of each month. The Wednesday meeting is held in person at The Frederick Center, and the Thursday meeting is held via Zoom. We provide a safe space to discuss topics of interest including identity, coming out, transition, supporting one another in gender exploration, and building connections with one another. Topics and activities will be determined by group interest. We are committed to respect, direct communication, gentleness, exploration, and confidentiality. This group is facilitated by Marcia (she/her), a transgender community member. Ages 18+ only. Accompanied significant others are also welcome. Interested in joining or have questions? Email Marcia at [email protected].
Youth Group Jr is a peer-to-peer community group for LGBTQ+ youth, ages 9 to 13. Youth Group Jr is held in person every Wednesday from 5:00-6:30pm in person at The Frederick Center, 322 West Patrick Street. Meetings are topic-driven, including education, support, friendship-building, skill-sharing, and more. This is a great place to make connections in a safe, affirming, and welcoming environment. Group meetings are facilitated by an LGBTQ+ identifying facilitator, and an LGBTQ+ identifying licensed social worker from the Maryland Center from Gender and Intimacy. There is no pre-registration required, but there is some quick paperwork to be filled out by a parent, guardian or adult and the attendee.
Young Adult Group is a peer-to-peer community group for LGBTQ+ young adults, aged 18 to 26. This group meets every Monday evening from 7:00-8:30pm, and alternates between in-person and virtual via Zoom. Meetings are topic-driven, including identity, education, support, friendship-building, skill-sharing, and more. This is a great place to make connections in a safe, affirming, and welcoming environment. Group meetings are always led by an LGBTQ+ identified facilitator. Need more information, or a Zoom link? Email [email protected].
Youth Group is a free, peer-to-peer community group for LGBTQ+ youth, ages 14 to 17. This group meets every Wednesday in-person at The Frederick Center from 7:00-8:30pm. Meetings are topic-driven, including education, support, friendship-building, skill-sharing, and more. Group meetings are facilitated by an LGBTQ+ identifying facilitator, and an LGBTQ+ identifying licensed social worker from the Maryland Center from Gender and Intimacy. There is no pre-registration required, but there is some quick paperwork to be filled out by a parent, guardian or adult and the attendee.
