In July 2021, I was detained by police officers for practising homosexuality. I believed my future had ended and that my parents would be left with only shame. The officers offered to release me in exchange for a bribe. I had no money. No hope. My only possession was my phone, I handed it over. Under my country's law, Section ***, homosexuality carries a penalty of death or up to 30 years imprisonment. I could not risk either outcome. I consider myself fortunate that it was police officers and not religious vigilantes who detained me. The latter have been known to use lethal violence that I can not imagine to myself. This transaction — exchanging personal property for safety — is a common survival strategy for gay men in my community, but not everyone is lucky enough, I was lucky enough. I did take down my profile picture and alter my name for safety.

Noor is a licensed therapist & certified transformational coach, specializing in parts-based work, drawing on Inner Relationship Focusing (Focusing), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Inner Bonding. He'll be guiding us through an inner journey with our "gay part" — offering a brief introduction to this framework, guiding an inner journey, and opening the space for personal reflection and group sharing. Please bring a journal or notebook, and come ready to meet your gay self across the landscape of your history! This can be a genuinely healing and connecting experience. Noor will be offering this in both meetings next week — so, if you plan to attend both, know that each visit may open different doors or invite you deeper. Who is joining?

Are you struggling with figuring out who you are when you go to workout? I’ve created a short field guide to help you navigate (with a little help from Claude). Happy Friday! https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/630ed130-0acb-4345-b4e3-574cbce602ef

Either we can do a Hot Seat Session where 3 members get 20min each to share their matter and get some feedback from the group Or we can talk about - How not to turn into a lonely bitter Betty (what to do about it) If you want a 20min Hot Seat, comment below with your matter and reserve your spot. If no one wants a hot seat we’ll talk about the bitter Betty! 😎 Talk to you guys soon!

Name one thing you're proud of yourself for this week!