The Friendship Circle - Friendship, Connection and Community

Every Monday evening I get the opportunity to be the facilitator for the Gay Adult Friendship Circle at the Encircle house in Salt Lake City, Utah. Anywhere from three to ten young adult men meet together and we have an open space for conversation and connection. I use this structured time to help facilitate a productive conversation about challenges, questions, and fun topics relevant to the queer community and each of the individuals who attend. I was asked to be a facilitator about two years ago and during the pandemic I had the opportunity to run these meetings online via Zoom. Once Encircle opened back up to allow the general public in its doors I switched back to having the in person Friendship Circle meetings.

Since the summer of 2021 I have been able to hold these meetings regularly for an hour and a half each week and have enjoyed connecting with and meeting new young adults who are searching for fellowship and community within the LGBTQ+ circle. Encircle itself is a resource center for youth and young adults to find the connection and community that is so often lacking as well as providing opportunities for counseling and therapy that are so essential for the mental and emotional health of each and every member of the LGBTQ+ community and youth who are plagued by the confusing social stratum in which they are placed.

Throughout my time as a Friendship Circle Facilitator I have had countless opportunities to have open and honest discussions with individuals and with my group about sexual health, general health for queer individuals, and other social determinants of health that often go undiscussed within the LGBTQ+ sphere. I hope to be a resource myself for these youth and young adults to find meaningful and impactful ways to their individual health outcomes. In our Social Determinants of Health course I had the opportunity to share a few of my experiences from my volunteer opportunities at Encircle and I look forward to helping people of all ages and sexual orientation find the quality health care they deserve.