Make the most of GAYLA by joining activities that feed your soul. All events are optional, so leave yourself time to swim, walk the beach or woods, and just hang out.
Here is a sampling of what’s planned for GAYLA XL. Join us!
DAILY THEMES
This year GAYLA celebrates our daily pride with colors and themes inspired by Gilbert Baker's original pride flag, premiered in 1978 just weeks before GAYLA 2. Consider wearing the day's color to breakfast, decorating your hallway, or anything else that inspires you. Like everything else, daily themes are optional.
Saturday (Hot Pink) Sex
Sunday (Red) Life
Monday (Orange) Healing
Tuesday (Yellow) Sunlight
Wednesday (Green) Nature
Thursday (Turquoise) Magic/Art
Friday (Indigo) Serenity
Saturday (Violet) Spirit
Read more about Gilbert Baker's original Rainbow Flag here.
FOR EARLY RISERS
Options begin before breakfast. Dance with a Sunrise Circle. Swim with the Polar Bear Club. Or enjoy just coffee on a rocking chair in the morning sun.
- Sunrise Circle – led by Ron Willett
For those who enjoy (or need) a spiritual connection and a little stretch before breakfast, a Sunrise Circle gathers on the volleyball court at 7:00. This includes a set of simple movements from Qigong and Paneurhythmy disciplines, for connection to energy meridians of the body and the Earth. Instructions are offered on Sunday and Monday; on following days the Circle simply begins at 7:00. No prior experience needed. - Polar Bear Club – led by John Crowe & Mark Koenig
Take a plunge in the ocean, just steps from your bed. Meet on the beach at 7:00 any morning.
BREAKFAST
Coffee is available before breakfast. A full buffet is served daily 7:30-8:30 AM.
CHAPEL
A worship service is offered daily at the outdoor chapel in the pines. The service is led by the Minister of the Week. Some GAYLA brothers participate in the choir. Ferry Beach’s history is Unitarian Universalist, but GAYLA includes men of various, as well as no, faiths.
MORNING TRACKS
GAYLA Tracks are interactive courses over four mornings (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) where a group of men deeply explore a topic of interest. Here are a few of the tracks that will be offered.
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Shake Your Soul
SHAKE YOUR SOUL is fun, freeing, meditative, graceful and empowering. It is often referred to as the yoga of dance because it encourages dancing from the inside out. SHAKE YOUR SOUL relaxes the nervous system, energizes the body, and awakens the SOUL. Play, explore and move in new or familiar ways, alone or sometimes in creative communion with fellow dancers. All you need to bring is your body and a willingness to be moved, by music, by your fellow man and by your own heart. Ron McClelland Ron studied with Dan Leven at Kripalu Yoga Center in Lenox Ma and is a certified SHAKE YOUR SOUL teacher. He lives in Jamaica Plain with his husband Stephen. He loves men and movement so nothing could be better than to be back at GAYLA presenting this workshop! Hiking with a Camera See the world anew through your camera while hiking beautiful locations near Ferry Beach. Field trips may include Ferry Beach State Park, Camp Ellis, Cascade Falls, Old Orchard Beach, a local flower garden, and other locations suggested by the group. Selection will depend on tides, weather and interest. All levels of skill and experience are welcome. You may use any type of camera including smart phones, or just join us for the hiking and fellowship. David Sumner is an experienced hiker who learned photography from his father. Through co-op at Northeastern University he taught darkroom photography and worked with photography in an occupational therapy unit. Dave has led photography workshops at Ferry Beach and GAYLA, and is familiar with beautiful locations near campus. Dan Robes Originally from Cape Cod, Dan lives in Eastport ME where he hikes with his camera all year. “Yes,” he says, “even in the long, cold Maine Winters. It’s a great way to escape the stress that life sometimes brings.” This will be Dan’s 4th year at GAYLA. |
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Writing from the Heart
Writing can allow us to think, reflect and discover, and can offer us a way to experience catharsis. This is true for all of us regardless of our experience with or ability in writing.
As gay, bi, trans men, we all have had experiences that come from living in a homophobic/heterosexist world. While these experiences can be painful, often they are joyous, liberating, creative and full of caring tenderness. Our experiences can live on and become stories that we can share to help and support others.
In this track we will explore our memories and feelings through writing by ourselves and in small groups. In the writing and sharing of our stories, we will reflect on our stories. You will come away with an increased understanding of how to integrate your stories into your life so your memories can be utilized in beneficial ways for you and for others. For those who are interested, the week will culminate with an opportunity to share new work with other GAYLA brothers.
Michael Dubson is a professor of Writing and Literature at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston. He holds a Master's Degree in Composition Theory from UMass Boston and a Graduate Certificate in Publishing from Emerson College. Mike has published two books, been the editor of two Literary Magazines and has had many articles, essays, stories and poems published in various publications. He is currently working on a novel in which thirteen gay men save the world from ruin.
A Wilde Week
Explore the wit and wisdom of Oscar Wilde, gay pioneer. Using film and other media, learn about the last years of Wilde's life and his prose. The final session will be devoted to a recent reimagining of Wilde's life in mid 20th-century Dublin. This Track continues last year's popular workshop with all new material. If you didn't participate last year, no worries--it doesn't require previous study.
Joe Law has been attending GAYLA since 2012 and has presented workshop tracks at three earlier conferences. Until his retirement in 2014, he was a member of the administration at Wright State University (Dayton, OH) and Professor of English there. His serious interest in Wilde dates back probably more than 50 years, thanks to a chance late-night encounter with a 1960 movie called Oscar Wilde, which focused largely on Wilde's three trials.
How Your History Affects Who You Are Today
We come into this world aware, feeling, sexual beings. From birth on we internalize perceptions about ourselves and life. These perceptions set the stage for how we think and function, often subconsciously. One way of awareness of these perception is through group-led interaction. The benefits of doing this are to become more self-aware and creating the choice to change.
Richard Barrett During his many years as a GAYLA brother, Richard has conducted engaging and therapeutic workshops. Richard has over 30 years experience as a Psychiatric Nurse, with 15 specializing in alcohol and drug rehabilitation.
Singing With ChoralFest
GAYLA brothers are invited to join the ChoralFest for any of their workshops and activities. Morning sessions, from 10 AM - 12 PM, will focus on learning the repertoire for Friday morning's musical chapel service. Afternoon sessions focus on preparing songs for Thursday's Talent/No Talent Show. For more information, visit the ChoralFest website.
CHECK-IN CIRCLES
Check-in Circles are small groups that meet daily. They are a great way to connect with other men and build friendships.
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS
Workshops are one-time gatherings that explore a skill, art, project or topic of interest. Workshops are typically held in the afternoon.
The Changing Landscape of Pleasure & Safer Sex
Queer men were and are still inordinately affected by HIV/AIDS. Since the pandemic began, queer men's pleasure has been fraught by fear, anxiety and stigma. Furthermore, the tools available to us to protect ourselves during our most intimate moments often prioritized safety over pleasure. Still, we persisted and thankfully a new era has dawned. While condoms are still an option for safer sex, we now have tools such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), treatment as prevention (TaSP/u=u) which allow queer men to prioritize safety, pleasure AND intimacy. Indeed, we can have our cake and eat it too, ok?! In this talk we'll explore the changing world of safer sex and HIV prevention and how these tools can improve our sex lives and general well being. All your safer sex and PrEP/TaSP questions answered!
Ren Morrill does HIV prevention at the Frannie Peabody Center, an AIDS service non-profit located in Portland, Maine. Ren has a lifelong passion for safer sex, harm reduction and the magic of sexuality that began with reading Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" in high school. Ren is a radical fairy, a leatherman, and a philosopher slut to the people. Ren welcomes any and all of your questions!
AFTERNOON FUN and FREE TIME
Special Events
Afternoons are filled with workshops and special events. Activities include a spectacular T-Dance, Volleyball Tournament, Ice Cream Social, Workshops and more.
Workshops
Workshops are one-time gatherings that explore a skill, art, project or topic of interest. Workshops are typically held in the afternoon.
GAYLA Banner
Newcomers and others are invited to create a banner for each year. Get together in the Art Room during your spare time and create!
Beach Time
There are always men at the beach, swimming, flying kites and sun bathing. Bring your suit, towel and favorite beach toys!
HOSPITALITY
Each afternoon at 5:00 PM, GAYLA brothers join the entire Ferry Beach community for socializing and munchies. Non-alcoholic beverages are served, or BYOB.
OPEN 12 STEP MEETING
At 5:00 PM daily all are welcome to an open 12-Step meeting inclusive of all 12-Step programs of recovery in the Ziegler Room, Rowland Hall.
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
After dinner GAYLA brothers join others from the Ferry Beach community and the Minister of the Week for a brief circle of fellowship and reflection before the evening events.
EVENING ACTIVITIES
Each evening features a unique event.
FREE DAY
Wednesday is set aside as a day with few planned activities. Use it to relax on campus or explore Southern Maine with new friends. Full meals will be served.
QUIET HOURS
In consideration of our neighbors both on and
Writing can allow us to think, reflect and discover, and can offer us a way to experience catharsis. This is true for all of us regardless of our experience with or ability in writing.
As gay, bi, trans men, we all have had experiences that come from living in a homophobic/heterosexist world. While these experiences can be painful, often they are joyous, liberating, creative and full of caring tenderness. Our experiences can live on and become stories that we can share to help and support others.
In this track we will explore our memories and feelings through writing by ourselves and in small groups. In the writing and sharing of our stories, we will reflect on our stories. You will come away with an increased understanding of how to integrate your stories into your life so your memories can be utilized in beneficial ways for you and for others. For those who are interested, the week will culminate with an opportunity to share new work with other GAYLA brothers.
Michael Dubson is a professor of Writing and Literature at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston. He holds a Master's Degree in Composition Theory from UMass Boston and a Graduate Certificate in Publishing from Emerson College. Mike has published two books, been the editor of two Literary Magazines and has had many articles, essays, stories and poems published in various publications. He is currently working on a novel in which thirteen gay men save the world from ruin.
A Wilde Week
Explore the wit and wisdom of Oscar Wilde, gay pioneer. Using film and other media, learn about the last years of Wilde's life and his prose. The final session will be devoted to a recent reimagining of Wilde's life in mid 20th-century Dublin. This Track continues last year's popular workshop with all new material. If you didn't participate last year, no worries--it doesn't require previous study.
Joe Law has been attending GAYLA since 2012 and has presented workshop tracks at three earlier conferences. Until his retirement in 2014, he was a member of the administration at Wright State University (Dayton, OH) and Professor of English there. His serious interest in Wilde dates back probably more than 50 years, thanks to a chance late-night encounter with a 1960 movie called Oscar Wilde, which focused largely on Wilde's three trials.
How Your History Affects Who You Are Today
We come into this world aware, feeling, sexual beings. From birth on we internalize perceptions about ourselves and life. These perceptions set the stage for how we think and function, often subconsciously. One way of awareness of these perception is through group-led interaction. The benefits of doing this are to become more self-aware and creating the choice to change.
Richard Barrett During his many years as a GAYLA brother, Richard has conducted engaging and therapeutic workshops. Richard has over 30 years experience as a Psychiatric Nurse, with 15 specializing in alcohol and drug rehabilitation.
Singing With ChoralFest
GAYLA brothers are invited to join the ChoralFest for any of their workshops and activities. Morning sessions, from 10 AM - 12 PM, will focus on learning the repertoire for Friday morning's musical chapel service. Afternoon sessions focus on preparing songs for Thursday's Talent/No Talent Show. For more information, visit the ChoralFest website.
CHECK-IN CIRCLES
Check-in Circles are small groups that meet daily. They are a great way to connect with other men and build friendships.
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS
Workshops are one-time gatherings that explore a skill, art, project or topic of interest. Workshops are typically held in the afternoon.
The Changing Landscape of Pleasure & Safer Sex
Queer men were and are still inordinately affected by HIV/AIDS. Since the pandemic began, queer men's pleasure has been fraught by fear, anxiety and stigma. Furthermore, the tools available to us to protect ourselves during our most intimate moments often prioritized safety over pleasure. Still, we persisted and thankfully a new era has dawned. While condoms are still an option for safer sex, we now have tools such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), treatment as prevention (TaSP/u=u) which allow queer men to prioritize safety, pleasure AND intimacy. Indeed, we can have our cake and eat it too, ok?! In this talk we'll explore the changing world of safer sex and HIV prevention and how these tools can improve our sex lives and general well being. All your safer sex and PrEP/TaSP questions answered!
Ren Morrill does HIV prevention at the Frannie Peabody Center, an AIDS service non-profit located in Portland, Maine. Ren has a lifelong passion for safer sex, harm reduction and the magic of sexuality that began with reading Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" in high school. Ren is a radical fairy, a leatherman, and a philosopher slut to the people. Ren welcomes any and all of your questions!
AFTERNOON FUN and FREE TIME
Special Events
Afternoons are filled with workshops and special events. Activities include a spectacular T-Dance, Volleyball Tournament, Ice Cream Social, Workshops and more.
Workshops
Workshops are one-time gatherings that explore a skill, art, project or topic of interest. Workshops are typically held in the afternoon.
GAYLA Banner
Newcomers and others are invited to create a banner for each year. Get together in the Art Room during your spare time and create!
Beach Time
There are always men at the beach, swimming, flying kites and sun bathing. Bring your suit, towel and favorite beach toys!
HOSPITALITY
Each afternoon at 5:00 PM, GAYLA brothers join the entire Ferry Beach community for socializing and munchies. Non-alcoholic beverages are served, or BYOB.
OPEN 12 STEP MEETING
At 5:00 PM daily all are welcome to an open 12-Step meeting inclusive of all 12-Step programs of recovery in the Ziegler Room, Rowland Hall.
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
After dinner GAYLA brothers join others from the Ferry Beach community and the Minister of the Week for a brief circle of fellowship and reflection before the evening events.
EVENING ACTIVITIES
Each evening features a unique event.
- Saturday we gather for our Opening Ceremony.
- On Sunday we present a special concert by The Kinsey Sicks - America's Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet.
- Monday will feature live Family Feud Game Night.
- On Tuesday we create a moving remembrance service to honor GAYLA brothers who are no longer living.
- We’ll laugh our guts out on Wednesday with Karaoke and board games.
- On Thursday we will celebrate the week with a special dinner followed by a spectacular Talent-No Talent Show and silent auction.
- We prepare to conclude our week on Friday with a memorable and moving Closing Ceremony.
- Volunteers also organize gay-themed movies with popcorn on most evenings, for those who prefer a smaller group activity.
FREE DAY
Wednesday is set aside as a day with few planned activities. Use it to relax on campus or explore Southern Maine with new friends. Full meals will be served.
QUIET HOURS
In consideration of our neighbors both on and