Empowering the LGBTQ and HIV communities since 1989.
Learn healthy relationship skills, get support coming out, explore sexual orientation and gender identity, and connect with others.
Research shows that the biggest protective factor for LGBTQ+ people is SOCIAL SUPPORT. Support from family, friends, coworkers, classmates, supervisors, teachers, and neighbors are all crucial to LGBTQ+ wellbeing. In addition to the support listed above, building relationships with other LGBTQ+ people has also shown to increase resilience and reduce feelings of social isolation and invisibility.
On this page, you will find a list of our social support groups that are currently meeting virtually and in-person. If you are interested in joining a particular group, please email the contact listed. This person can answer any questions you may have about the group and will provide you with the Zoom link, if applicable.
If you have any general questions about our social support group offerings or are having trouble reaching the contact listed, please email community@lgbtlifecenter.org or call us at 757-640-0929.
Note: We are currently in the process of relaunching some previous groups that went dormant after COVID, as well as some new offerings! This page and our Event Calendar will be updated with those as they go live. Stay tuned!
Ace&Aro+ Affirming Space (18+)
Bi/Pan+ Social Support Group (18+)
LGBTQ+ Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Support Group (18+)
Men’s HIV Empowerment Group (18+) [Temporarily on hiatus]
Non-Binary+ Social Support Group (18+)
Significant Others, Family, Friends, & Allies of Trans People (18+)
Trans Feminine Social Support Group (18+)
Women’s HIV Empowerment Group (18+)
Ace&Aro+ Affirming Space (18+)
1st Fridays from 7:00 – 9 PM [HYBRID]
Facilitator: Remi Jäger (he/him)
Open to adults who identify as or are questioning being on the asexual and/or aromantic spectrums.
We hope to provide an accessible place for our community to connect, support one another, and talk about our successes, difficulties, joys, and struggles as Ace and Aro people.
Currently, we offer one support meeting a month, along with a few social events like board game nights, holiday parties, park walks, museum tours, and bookstore visits.
We ask new members to email the facilitator before attending.
Bi/Pan+ Social Support Group (18+)
4th Thursdays from 7 – 8 PM [HYBRID]
Facilitator: Madison Novak
This social support group is for individuals (ages 18+) who experience sexual and/or romantic attraction to more than one gender. This includes, but is not limited to, people who identify as bisexual/romantic, pansexual/romantic, sexually/romantically fluid, omnisexual/romantic, and polysexual/romantic.
All multisexual/romantic identities and experiences are welcome and will be affirmed and validated in this group. We are passionate about creating a space for local bi/pan+ folks to be their authentic selves, find and provide support, share resources, and build community.
2nd Sundays from 3 – 4:30 PM [IN-PERSON]
Facilitator: Kasha Herek (she/they)
Family Connections is a group for families with trans and gender-diverse children. We aim to co-create an affirming space to build community, provide social support, celebrate gender diversity, and have fun!
To find out more, please register at: http://heshezewe.org/contact.
LGBTQ+ Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Support Group (18+)
3rd Mondays from 6 – 7:30 PM [VIRTUAL]
Facilitator: Quinci Rockette (she/her)
qrockette@lgbtlifecenter.org
This open support group is for individuals (ages 18+) who have experienced intimate partner violence and identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This group will provide a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ survivors to come together and talk about the unique struggles and barriers that they face while also celebrating their diversity and strength. Survivors will be able to connect and learn from one another while focusing on how to move forward, with an emphasis on safety and healthy relationships.
This group is not currently meeting.
Men’s HIV Empowerment Group (18+) – Temporarily on hiatus.
4th Mondays from 6 – 7:30 PM [IN-PERSON]
Facilitator: Greg (he/him)
Please join the Men’s HIV Empowerment Group for friendship, networking, and discussion.
This group is open to all men of all sexualities. Newly diagnosed and long-term survivors are welcome. If you have questions or concerns, please call/text Greg at 804-617-1930.
Non-Binary+ Social Support Group (18+)
4th Wednesdays from 7:00 – 9 PM [VIRTUAL]
Facilitator: Remi Jäger (he/him)
nonbinarysocialgroup@gmail.com
The Non-Binary+ Social Support Group is for adults who identify and/or express their gender outside of the gender binary. This includes, but is not limited to, people who identify as non-binary, genderfluid, genderqueer, Two-Spirit, and agender.
We are passionate about creating an accessible space for local non-binary+ folks to be their authentic selves, find and provide support, share resources, and build community. Currently, we offer one support meeting a month along with a few social events like board game nights, holiday parties, park walks, museum tours, and bookstore visits.
We ask new members to email the facilitator before attending.
Significant Others, Family, Friends, & Allies (SOFFA) of Trans People (18+)
2nd Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8 PM
Facilitator: Jennifer Burroughs (she/her)
People who are transgender or gender non-conforming often have families that can benefit from a peer support group. SOFFA offers a nonjudgmental, safe emotional space to talk with others who have similar experiences.
Facilitator, Jennifer Burroughs says, “SOFFA helped me feel like I wasn’t alone.” Co-facilitator, Carolyn Caywood adds, “Even though we transitioned a decade ago, I treasure talking with others who understand.”
Please share our welcome with anyone who needs it. We promise privacy and confidentiality, a (virtual) sofa and a shoulder.
Trans Feminine Social Support Group (18+)
1st Thursdays from 6:30 – 8 PM [VIRTUAL]
3rd Thursdays from 6:30 – 8 PM [IN-PERSON]
Facilitator: Stephanie Martinez (she/her)
This group is a peer-facilitated social support group in Hampton Roads for transgender women and transfeminine people (ages 18+).
Regardless of your unique journey, we can all support each other in a safe, caring, and validating environment. Our purpose is to provide support but also receive feedback to grow and move the group in directions needed most. Our group will evolve and remain fluid to give as much support to the community as possible.
Transition leads people down varying paths/phases, and each are more easily accomplished with support. Regardless of your path, YOU ARE TRANS ENOUGH!
Women’s HIV Empowerment Group (18+)
2nd Wednesdays from 12 – 2 PM
Facilitator: Ruth Fordham (she/her)
Women who attend this group express their experiences using the following words: Involvement, Empowering, Informative, Phenomenal, Educational, Togetherness, Encouraging, Community, I A M S K = I am my Sister’s Keeper…
Any Woman, transgender and cisgender alike, who has a need for this group PLEASE join us!!
Empower us with your Voice!!! You’re not alone. We’re here for each other. We look forward to meeting you!!! Become a part of the LGBT Life Center’s Women’s HIV Empowerment Group!!!
Women Loving Women Support Group (18+)
3rd Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8PM [IN-PERSON ONLY]
Facilitator: Kristina Vander Meer (she/her)
This social support group is for women and woman-aligned individuals (ages 18+) who experience sexual and/or romantic attraction to other women and woman-aligned individuals. This includes, but is not limited to, people who identify as Lesbians, Sapphics, WLW, and Same-Gender Loving Women. This is an opt-in community: all queer women+ are welcome, no questions asked! We are here to be our authentic selves, find and provide support, share resources, and build community.
YOUth Matter: an LGBTQ+ Youth Group (12 – 18)
1st & 3rd Wednesdays from 6:30 – 9 PM [IN-PERSON]
Facilitator: Nicole Pixler (she/her)
NicoleP@standupforkids.org
YOUth Matter is a social support group for local youth (aged 12 – 18), who experience marginalization based on their gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation. It is a space for LGBTQ+ youth to be their authentic selves, find and provide support, share resources, and build community.
The meeting usually consists of introductions/icebreakers, a group share-out/discussion, and games/activities. Once a youth attends their first meeting, we can get them connected to our Discord server, if desired. It’s a chance for folks to stay connected/engaged between meetings.