LGBTQIA+ Ages 13-17
A weekly group that offers a supportive and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ youth to explore identity.
Service Description
Glow Up & Out Loud is a weekly empowerment and support group created for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 13–17 seeking connection, affirmation, confidence, and community in a world that can often feel isolating or unsafe. Rooted in a trauma-informed, nonclinical approach, this group provides a welcoming space where young people can explore identity, celebrate authenticity, strengthen emotional resilience, and build meaningful peer relationships without fear of judgment, shame, or pressure to hide who they are. Adolescence is already a deeply formative stage of life, but for many LGBTQIA+ youth, it can also come with additional layers of stress, rejection, identity confusion, bullying, social pressure, family conflict, discrimination, or fear of not being accepted. Glow Up & Out Loud was designed to counter those experiences by creating a space centered around affirmation, joy, safety, creativity, empowerment, and belonging. Rather than focusing solely on struggle, the program intentionally uplifts queer joy, self-expression, emotional wellness, and personal growth while equipping participants with practical skills they can use in everyday life. Through weekly group sessions, youth engage in reflective discussions, creative projects, confidence-building activities, peer connection exercises, and guided conversations around identity, boundaries, relationships, emotional health, and self-advocacy. Participants are encouraged to explore who they are at their own pace while learning that their identity is not something to survive despite, but something worthy of celebration and pride. Sessions include engaging topics such as identity exploration and self-definition, queer joy and resilience, pronouns and self-advocacy, healthy boundaries, safe relationships, creative affirmation, emotional grounding, and building supportive environments both online and offline. Youth participate in activities such as identity mapping, storytelling circles, affirmation art, roleplay scenarios, community discussions, journaling, boundary-setting exercises, and collaborative creative projects that encourage both self-discovery and peer support. The group places strong emphasis on helping participants build confidence in communicating their needs, advocating for themselves, and recognizing healthy versus unhealthy dynamics within friendships, family systems, schools, and romantic relationships.
Upcoming Sessions
Cancellation Policy
Welcome to Grounded Stars! Participant Group Rules — Please Read Carefully There are no refunds. Please reach out if you need to reschedule your missed class. We're happy to help. Our group spaces are designed to be safe, supportive, and protected spaces for youth and young adults. To keep it that way, everyone must follow these important rules while participating in any class, workshop, or group session. Camera Rules Cameras must stay ON during the entire session so we can protect the group and make sure everyone is really who they say they are. If you need to step away, you must tell the facilitator in chat or on camera before leaving. You can only be away for up to 10 minutes. If your camera is off and you ignore two reminders from the facilitator, you will be removed from the session for safety reasons. Respect and Behavior Rules Always show respect to other participants and facilitators. No bullying, harassment, or disrespectful language. No foul language, slurs, or hateful speech — this is a safe zone for everyone. Be open-minded and supportive of others, no matter their background or life experiences. Privacy and Safety Rules No sharing your contact information (phone numbers, social media, email, addresses) in the group or after the group. Do not ask for or pressure anyone else to share their personal information. You must be alone on camera, with no friends or family joining your screen unless it’s a family program. They can sit beside you. You must join from a quiet, safe space with no background distractions like loud TV, phone calls, or music. Dress Code You must be FULLY dressed in public-appropriate clothing during all sessions. Time and Attendance Be on time! The session will start on time, and anyone joining late may not be allowed in. Frequent lateness, disruptive behavior, or ignoring these rules will lead to removal from the group and may impact your ability to join future programs. By joining our group, you agree to follow these rules. Repeated or serious violations will result in being removed from the group, and we will notify your guardian or case manager if needed. We want this space to feel good for everyone — let’s keep it safe, focused, and supportive!
Contact Details
9142944639
kierra@groundedstars.com
535 Fifth Avenue 4th floor, New York, NY, USA