WellesleyWeston Magazine

WINTER 2012/2013

Launched in 2005, WellesleyWeston Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored to Wellesley and Weston residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in two of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.

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How WAGLY and Other Area Organizations Support LGBT Residents looking for a supportive environment for their sons," says Lewis. "They wanted a place to meet other people, to learn, to hang out, be edu- cated." Those early discussions resulted in the establishment of a group that now attracts youth from more than 30 MetroWest communities. WAGLY calls itself "peer led, adult supported," which underscores the critical importance of having youth involved in the conversation. It is, by design, a safe setting that allows for discussion, education, friend- ship building, and stories of shared experience. "The adults act as mentors in a room. We have ministers, we have therapists, we have teachers, we have a nurse. We have intentionally found adults from all ages and professional ranges across the MetroWest area," says Lewis. In addition to social circles, WAGLY brings in outside speakers or facili- tate talks on topics such as "Coming Out to Friends and Family" or "Religion and Sexuality." Sometimes they will show a movie. And sometimes, "at the end of the day, they just want to hang out and play cards or just talk," says Lewis. The simple yet profound opportunity to hang out and talk with peers who are non-judgmental and accepting is sacred to some of the participants. "It really makes me less isolated and feel really accepted," says Noah. "It's still a straight-dominated world and when you are with a bunch of other queer kids, you don't feel like an outcast." The theme of isolation is one that is echoed by other WAGLY participants. "There 87 winter 2012/2013 | WellesleyWeston Magazine

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