Thank you for your interest in the Plymouth Men's Group.
The PMG is a social discussion group for gay men.
We meet weekly on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM in downtown Plymouth.
The PMG is now in it's 13th successful year. Our success is due largely in part to active participation, that is men who show up to discuss anything and everything.
We have three general guidelines which also help to ensure success of the PMG:
1) Confidentiality: What is said in our meeting room stays in the meeting room.
2) Safe and Nonjudgmental: Though people may disagree with your point of view, you are in an environment where your ideas and thoughts can be openly shared (if you want) for discussion and feedback will be addressed solely on the issue of discussion.
Active participation in discussion is neither required nor expected. Some men attend "just to listen" until they feel comfortable enough to participate.
3) Respect: Crosstalk is discouraged so that the person speaking may be heard by all and attention is paid to the one who is speaking.
Topics discussed are as varied as the men who are part of the men's group. Discussions may be simple and fun with loads of laughter or it can be very serious.
It all depends on how and where the group wants to go with any given subject. Typically, there are no prearranged topics lined up by the month. Rather, men bring in news items from the paper or internet, or we discuss something heard about on the news or talk show, or the discussion goes "popcorn" -- many subjects covered in a random style.
If there is "nothing brought in", the moderator will offer 2 or 3 items for discussion.
Our demographics are wide and varied: typically, the age range is mid-20's to mid 60's, blue and white collar, professional, students, retired, etc.
Some men are still in the closet while others are very, very far out. It's important to understand that even if you are out of the closet and are very comfortable with being gay, your participation in the PMG is still important ---your knowledge and experience in the gay world is VASTLY HELPFUL to those who are not out or who are just taking their first steps in going public with their identity.
We draw from a large area: from Marshfield and Situate all the way down to Harwich on the Cape and as far west as Brockton, the Bridgewaters, Middleboro and Wareham.
Many friendships have been made from this group, not to mention 6 or 7 long-term partnerships as well. The group is therapeutic, but not group therapy and thus not covered by insurance programs.
By this, we mean that you will find that just being with other gay men on the South Shore is nice --- it's a safe place to meet other gay men, it's local, and offer a nice mid-week break from the "straight life".
We pass a hat at the close of the meeting. Most men contribute a buck or two.
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