Fairfield County LGBTQ+ support group expanding
WESTPORT — Teens in town now have a new place to explore their identities, share emotions, make new friends and meet adults who are supportive of them after COVID stalled the effort a few years ago.
Westport recently became the latest location for Lighthouse, a support group within Kids in Crisis for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies in Fairfield County. The Westport group attempted to form right before the start of the pandemic, but was put on pause. The group restarted about three months ago, said Phoebe Oler, the Lighthouse program manager.
“The primary benefit of the meetings is that there’s awareness that they exist,” Oler said. “For youth, knowing that there are organizations, other people who care about them and support them is something that they really need to know and hear and feel.”
Meetings are held in Greenwich, Stamford and Westport at different points throughout the week. Westport meets on Mondays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Toquet Hall; Stamford on Tuesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Fish Church; and Greenwich on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Christ Church.
“Having an in-person space to meet other kids who are like you is really important right now, especially after COVID,” Oler said.
Oler said they are looking to expand to Wilton and beyond.
“A typical meeting begins with a structured check-in, similar to an adult support group, where we go around and see if there’s anything people want to share about their week or what’s going on in their lives that’s difficult, or that they’re celebrating,” said Denise Qualey, managing director for Kids in Crisis.
Then, the meeting becomes more social, including doing activities, eating or cooking, and creating art, Qualey and Oler said.
Anyone in seventh through eighth grade is welcome to show up, without any commitment, Oler said. There are also opportunities for adults to participate, like during Jan. 30’s “A Night of Queer History” event in Westport.
Oler said the event is an effort to raise awareness about Lighthouse and Toquet Hall, which is a local teen center.
“We wanted to do something that invited everybody, LGBTQ people and allies and all ages,” she said. “We thought this would be a good chance for kids who do have supportive parents or adults in their lives to come to an event together.”