The spring semester of the William Way LGBT Community Center’s Way Gay U launched earlier this month, but a handful of classes remains available for local LGBTs to learn new skills and make new friends.
The 20 courses are divided into three categories — Dance, Health and Wellness and Workshops — and the latter still has five courses open for registration.
Center archivist Bob Skiba will host “Get Organized!” from 7-8:30 p.m. April 1, teaching participants key techniques they can utilize to take control of the clutter in their lives. Registration ends March 25.
There will also be two workshops focusing on same-sex relationships.
The first, “Especially for Singles” — from 3-7 p.m. April 3 with registration closing March 26 — is, as its name suggests, designed just for singles looking for love. Instructors Carolyn Thompson and Ellen Greenberg will lead the participants through personality analysis Myers-Briggs Type Indicator so they can better understand how they approach dating.
From 3-7 p.m. April 24, Thompson and Greenberg will again utilize the MBTI, but this time to help couples analyze their compatibility and generate ideas on strengthening their relationships in “Creating a Relationship that Lasts.” Registration for this workshop ends April 16.
From 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 24, Skiba will take guests on a springtime stroll through the Gayborhood, with “Creating a Space for Ourselves,” a walking tour of the area’s LGBT historical spots. Registration will be open until April 17.
Out Vietnam veteran Mike Felker will host a two-part workshop, 7-9 p.m. May 6 and 13, on the history of LGBT military service, from World War II until the current age of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The registration deadline is April 30.
Center director of services Candice Thompson noted that both the walking tour and the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” discussion are new additions to the Way Gay U program.
The center is anticipating about 120 participants this semester and continues to see the highest amount of interest in its dance classes, which this season are focusing on ballroom and country-line dancing.
Thompson noted the center added a “Country Line Dancing 102” this semester to satisfy participants who felt they mastered the beginners’ class.
“We saw people who were coming back term after term and we’d see all these e-mails back and forth, with people saying, ‘Are you going to register again?’ and ‘You’d better get your registration in.’ It’s really nice to see those conversations among the former participants because it’s great to know that the center helped to facilitate those friendships.”
Thompson said Way Gay U brings together LGBTs of all backgrounds in relaxed, welcoming environments.
“The people involved are very down to earth, so there’s nothing at all to be intimidated by. It’s a great group of people and we always see people forging great, lasting friendships,” she said. “And they’re able to do so in a gay-focused environment, which is really rare.”
Prices for the courses range from $40-$100 for center members, with slightly higher prices for non-members.
For more information or to register, visit www.waygay.org or call (215) 732-2220.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].