Meetings

Monthly meetings are free and all are welcome

PFLAG Princeton, serving all of Central New Jersey, meets on the second Monday of each month. Our meetings begin at 7:00 PM and generally run until around 9:00 PM. We meet virtually using the Zoom video conferencing service. More information about our virtual meetings can be found on our Virtual Meetings page.

If you would like to join our next meeting via Zoom conferencing, you must email us using our info@pflagprinceton.org address. Simply tell us the name you will be using in the Zoom software and we will email you the link to the meeting on the Sunday before the meeting. We must have your name to recognize you and admit you to the Zoom conference room.

Be reassured that this group is a safe place for you to express your feelings OR to just listen to what others have to say.  All conversations are confidential.  At each of our meetings, we begin by checking in with each of our members as well as new parents and friends who are attending for the first time.  Often, our entire meeting time is devoted to discussion and support group activities designed to encourage old and new members to discuss issues and events which are significant in their lives, and share their experiences with the others.

As we decide on speakers and programs for meetings, from time to time we will change the listings below accordingly so that you know what to expect.  We do include time for group discussion at every meeting, whether there is also a program or not.

Complete 2024 Calendar of Meetings and Events

(Our calendar is under development so these are all place-holder descriptions – we generally have guest speakers on even months)

  • January 8th – Peer-facilitated discussion and information sharing in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting.
  • February 12th – We are joined by queer couple Maggie and Ramona who will share with us their experience followed by peer-facilitated discussion and information sharing in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting.
  • March 11th – Peer-facilitated discussion and information sharing in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting.
  • April 8thNatalie Baker (she/they), a clinical psychotherapist trained in transgender healthcare, WPATH and TPATH member with over 20 years of experience, will discuss gender and the support of our transgender friends and family.  Following Natalie we will have peer-facilitated discussion and information sharing in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting.  
  • May 13th –  Peer-facilitated discussion and information sharing in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting.
  • June 10th – Peer-facilitated discussion and information sharing in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting.
  • July 8th – Peer-facilitated discussion and information sharing in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting.
  • August 12th – Peer-facilitated discussion and information sharing in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting
  • September 9th – Peer-facilitated discussion and information sharing in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting.
  • October 14th – Peer-facilitated discussion and information sharing in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting.
  • November 11th – We will be joined by Bobbie McArdle, the mother of two transgender children, who is a WPATH Certified Gender Therapist at the Institute for Personal Growth (IPG). IPG focuses on serving LGBTQ+ individuals. Bobbie specializes in transgender adolescents and will discuss gender therapy and other services that IPG offers. Following the presentation will be peer-facilitated discussion and information sharing in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting..
  • December 9th – Peer-facilitated discussion and information sharing in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting.

Meeting Ground Rules

WE START AND END OUR MEETINGS ON TIME 
We try to arrive on time.  We end the meeting on time to be respectful of people’s time.  

WE KEEP CONFIDENTIAL ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION SHARED IN THE GROUP
What we share about our personal lives and experiences is to be kept absolutely confidential by all members.  We realize that meeting participants or the issues they discuss may not be out anywhere else.  What is said in the group, stays in the group. 

WE USE “I” STATEMENTS
We encourage all members to speak in the first person, using “I” statements, because we know that we learn when each of us shares our different experiences. 

WE DON’T GIVE ADVICE
We do not prescribe, diagnose, judge or give advice.  We offer peer support, not therapy or professional services.  Rather, we respect each member’s right to reach and make their own personal decisions. We listen, speak as to what has worked for us in similar circumstances, and help members to recognize and explore their options.

WE DON’T MONOPOLIZE THE GROUP’S TIME 
We are respectful of the need for all members to participate, by not talking for excessively long periods of time or talking too frequently. 

WE STAY POSITIVE 
Our group is here to support and encourage positive outcomes. 

WE HAVE THE RIGHT NOT TO SPEAK 

WE DON’T INTERRUPT OR ENGAGE IN SIDE CONVERSATIONS 

WE TURN OUR CELL PHONES OFF AND REFRAIN FROM USING THEM DURING THE MEETING