December 2019

Sat, December 7

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

PRYSM

OUTMemphis, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

PRYSM is our group for LGBTQ and Allied youth ages 13-17. This group meets once per week, and is a safe, closed environment for connection, discussion, and most importantly fun!

Each week, this group meets at OUTMemphis (892 S Cooper), during which time they engage in snacks and drinks, fun planned activities, and discussion, all with peers who understand their experience.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Do I/Does my youth need to do anything beforehand?

A: No. At the youth's first meeting, there will be a short intake form on which we ask for name and pronouns, emergency contact information, and the kinds of activities they would like to engage in.

Q: Who is in charge of the group?

A: This group is run by our Youth Services staff, as well as a highly vetted select group of advisors. These advisors have been though an application and interview process, volunteer and facilitator training, training on how to identify and prevent abuse, and an extensive background check. To see more about these advisors, visit our PRYSM web page under Programs/Services.

Q: Can parents stay during the group?

A: Unfortunately, no. Because this space is engineered to be as close to peer-led as it can be, parents are not allowed to stay for the meetings. However, parents and caregivers are encouraged to come slightly early (before youth are on site) to meet the advisors, staff members, and any presenters who might be speaking that day. If you'd like to arrange this, please contact [email protected]

Q: Can OUTMemphis pick my youth up or give them a ride home?

A: No. OUTMemphis Staff and Advisors work on a strict Youth Interaction Policy which prohibits giving rides to youth. We ask that you make sure to arrange rides to and from PRYSM beforehand.

Q: Who will be in the building during meetings?

A: During PRYSM meetings, there is always at least one Youth Services Staff member as well as two PRYSM Advisors. Other than that, the only people allowed in the building while the PRYSM youth occupy the space are any special presenters that may be there to give a presentation. No one else is allowed in the building during these times.

Q: Do I need to bring anything?

A: No. Everything needed for the meeting, including activities and food, will be provided. We do ask to know about any food allergies, diet restrictions, or other such knowledge beforehand so we can engineer the best experience possible for the youths.

Q: What should I expect at this meeting?

A: Most meetings have some sort of food (either a snack or a meal), an activity (such as arts and crafts, games, presentation etc), and discussion time.


If you would like more information, please email us at [email protected].

See you there!

Sun, December 8

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Seniors OUT For Coffee

OUTMemphis, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

Seniors OUT For Coffee is a community social group for LBTQ+ community members 55+. The group meets over coffee and light snacks for conversation and fellowship with like-minded people.

For more information, email us at [email protected].

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

FU;BU (For Us; By Us)

OUTMemphis, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

FU;BU is a peer-led community social group for same-gender loving (SGL) men of color. The primary goal of FU;BU is to foster a safe, creative, and positive space for SGL men of color.

FU;BU aims to build positive relationships with self and community through great conversation, while providing a forum for community building and socializing.

For more information, email us at [email protected]

Mon, December 9

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Colorcopia: Art Class for Seniors

OUTMemphis: The LGBTQ+ Community Center of the Mid-South, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

Colorcopia is an art class put on by artists from the Dixon Gallery and Gardens for LGBTQ folks ages 55+. Participants will learn how to recreate a piece of art in the Dixon's collection, gaining new artistic skills in the process.

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Free HIV Testing

OUTMemphis, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

Knowing your status is the first step in reclaiming your sexual health, which is why OUTMemphis offers free HIV testing every Monday and Wednesday evening from 6:00p-9:00p, no appointment needed!

The test is free, quick, and confidential. The test takes around 20 minutes and includes a confidential sexual health counseling session with one of our highly trained testing staff.

For more information, please contact us via email at [email protected].

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Perpetual Transition (PT)

OUTMemphis, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

Perpetual Transition is our core Transgender Services peer-led community group, meeting continuously since 2005. PT is a safe and welcoming space for transgender folks of any flavor, identity, expression, or gender to meet and socialize with other like-minded individuals.

PT is open to anyone who identifies as transgender or is questioning, and is a safe and confidential space to ask questions, meet other people, and form bonds with the Memphis transgender community.

For more information, email us at [email protected].

Tue, December 10

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Zentangle: Meditative Drawing for Seniors

Join OUTMemphis and Zentangle Instructor Nysha Nelson for this class series on Zentangle, a meditative drawing technique that produces beautiful works of art. This class is offered by the Senior Services Committee and is open to all LGBTQ+ and Allied persons 55+. This class is free to attend, and all supplies will be provided.

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Volunteer Orientation

OUTMemphis, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

If you'd like to join our wonderful team of volunteers, visit www.outmemphis.org/volunteer/ to get started! This orientation is RSVP only, so please sign up before attending, as slots are limited.

Wed, December 11

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Free HIV Testing

OUTMemphis, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

Knowing your status is the first step in reclaiming your sexual health, which is why OUTMemphis offers free HIV testing every Monday and Wednesday evening from 6:00p-9:00p, no appointment needed!

The test is free, quick, and confidential. The test takes around 20 minutes and includes a confidential sexual health counseling session with one of our highly trained testing staff.

For more information, please contact us via email at [email protected].

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Meristem Women's Book Club

OUTMemphis, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

The book for this meeting is TBD.
The Meristem Women's Book Club is named after the feminist/LGBTQ bookstore that existed down the street from OUTMemphis on Cooper between 1990-1998.  

Meristem cells are the point of new growth in some plants - similar to stem cells in humans.  Meristem is named after the bookstore to honor our past and to foster hope for our future.

Each month, Meristem reads and explores a different written work by women, LGBTQ, and feminist authors and to foster a community of support with like-minded women.  

Meristem is open to lesbian, bi/pansexual, trans, and allied women of all gender identities and expressions.  

For more information, email us. 

Thu, December 12

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Seeking Serenity

OUTMemphis, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

Seeking Serenity is a peer-led community support group for LGBTQ friends and family of people in recovery for alcohol.

Seeking Serenity provides a weekly session for LGBTQ community members who support are associated with problem drinkers to convene for community, discussion, and social support from like-minded people in similar situations. While allies are welcome, Seeking Serenity is centered and gives precedent to the lives and experience of LGBTQ people.

For more information, email us at [email protected] or visit our website at OUTMemphis.org.

Fri, December 13

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Delta Trans Masculine (DTM)

OUTMemphis, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

Delta Trans Masculine is a peer-led community social group for trans and gender non-conforming folks who identify more on the masculine side of the spectrum. This is a safe place for transmasculine folks to be authentically themselves around like-minded people who share similar identities. This group is open to friends, family, partners, spouses, and supportive allies as well.

For more information, email us at [email protected]

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

GenQ

OUTMemphis: The LGBTQ+ Community Center of the Mid-South, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

GenQ is our group for LGBTQ and Allied folks ages 18-25. This group meets once per week, and is a safe, closed environment for connection, discussion, and most importantly fun!

Each week, this group meets at OUTMemphis (892 S Cooper), during which time they engage in snacks and drinks, fun planned activities, and discussion, all with peers who understand their experience.

This group is peer-led (like most groups at OUTMemphis), meaning that the facilitators of GenQ are also LGBTQ or Allied and 18-25.

This group, being a more mature age group than our other youth services, has a lot more freedom of activity, and will occasionally plan to do non-traditional things such as off-site meetings and activities. These will be discussed beforehand and approved by the group. This group also participates in our Life Hack program, a series of classes aimed at building skills and learning things necessary to being a productive member of society. This includes things like cooking classes, financial planning, anger management, interviewing skills, and many others.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Do I need to do anything beforehand?

A: Nope! Just show up!

Q: Who is in charge of the group?

A: This group is run by our Youth Services staff, as well as a group of Facilitators. These are volunteers who have gone through a training process to learn how to effectively keep a group moving and fun.

Q: I'm 25. Am I allowed to come?

A: Yes! This group is for folks 18-25, meaning that you are allowed until your 26th birthday.

Q: I'm 17. Am I allowed to come?

A: Unfortunately, no. This group is 18-25. However, we invite you to join PRYSM, our youth group for 13-17 year-olds!

Q: Can OUTMemphis pick me up or give me a ride home?

A: No. OUTMemphis Staff work on a strict Youth Interaction Policy which prohibits giving rides to guests. We ask that you make sure to arrange rides to and from GenQ beforehand. However, Facilitators and other group members are not prohibited from providing rides to each other, but that is something that will have to be worked out on a case-by-case basis between group members.

Q: Who will be in the building during meetings?

A: While this group meets during our normal open hours, the meeting itself is closed to participants. There may be staff, volunteers, or other guests in the building, but they will not be allowed to enter the space where GenQ is meeting unless they fit the demographic.

Q: Do I need to bring anything?

A: No. Everything needed for the meeting, including activities and food, will be provided. We do ask to know about any food allergies, diet restrictions, or other such knowledge beforehand so we can engineer the best experience possible for the group members.

Q: What should I expect at this meeting?

A: Most meetings have some sort of food (either a snack or a meal), an activity (such as arts and crafts, games, presentation, etc), and discussion time.


If you would like more information, please email us at [email protected].

See you there!

Sat, December 14

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Holiday Party & Open House

832 Virginia Run Cove

We are hosting a holiday party, and everyone is invited!

Head out to Summer Ave to check out our updated admin space and get to know our awesome staff and community members over spiked hot chocolate and queer gingerbread people cookies.

We will also be honoring a few volunteers who have made a tremendous difference this year. We hope you can join us for a celebratory drink and some holiday treats to honor a great year!

This event is free and all ages are welcome.

https://www.facebook.com/events/568240750667189/

Sun, December 15

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

TransParent

OUTMemphis, 892 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104, USA

TransParent is a group for parents and caregivers of transgender individuals of any age. This group is meant to be a place for people in this situation to meet others facing similar issues, to learn and grow together, and to ask questions in a safe and affirming environment.

TransParent is facilitated by Dr. KT Hiestand, a certified and licensed psychologist. Please email Dr. Hiestand to RSVP for this group before attending.

To RSVP or for more information, send an email to Dr. Hiestand at [email protected]