Did You Tell Your Mama?
A discussion about living OUT or not"
facilitated by Tim'm T. West of TMG

May 10th was just Mother's Day. Many black gay/bi/sgl men in Houston anxiously marked the day by honoring their mother independent of celebrations associated with Houston's SPLASH or Black Gay Pride. While some celebrated Mothers Day and Black Pride, others chose to honor one event and not the other. While many brothas "in the life" are/were out to their mothers (those still living as well as those who may have transitioned), we will consider a few questions:

Is an unspoken "understanding" enough to constitute being "out"? How many GBM operate under a "don't ask/don't tell" policy as a courtesy to families we assume will never understand or accept our "lifestyle choices"? Is it in fact true that "mothers always know" and are sometimes waiting for their sons to confirm (e.g., the glass closet many, ironically, GBM suffocate in)? And lastly, what about those relationships with mothers that are strained or permanently damaged because of you have "come out"? What about those relationships that have been strengthened through the "coming out" experience? What do we lose or gain by being OUT or not? Please join us for this provocative and enriching discussion.
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The Men's Gathering of Houston, the discussion and support group for African American men. From its Yahoogroups site: "The purpose of The Men's Gathering of Houston is to come together as African American Gay, Bisexual, Same-Gender Loving, and Questioning Men to dialogue about issues that are important in helping us to form healthy relationships with ourselves and others, and join in Walking The Journey Of Self-Understanding To Live A More Empowered, Awakened And Authentic Life." The Men's Gathering will meet on the second and fourth Saturday of month, 6-9 p.m. Info: tmghoustontexas@gmail.com,
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/tmghoustontexas/

DIRECTIONS TO OUR NEW LOCATION:

Driving directions to 401 Branard St, Houston, TX 77006
From A - 3400 Montrose, Houston, Texas (the intersection of Montrose @ Hawthorne)
Distance: 0.76 miles Time: 3 mins
Start at 3400 MONTROSE BLVD, HOUSTON going toward HAROLD ST - go 0.2 mi
Turn Left on W ALABAMA ST - go 0.3 mi
Turn Right on JACK ST - go 0.1 mi
Turn Left on BRANARD ST - go 0.1 mi
Arrive at 401 BRANARD ST, HOUSTON, on the Right
To B - 401 Branard, Houston, Texas