BAGLY moves to Community Church of Boston

After holding its weekly meetings for 25 years at Beacon Hill's St. John the Evangelist, the Boston Alliance of Gay and Lesbian Youth (BAGLY) will move its meetings to the Community Church of Boston in Copley Square on July 11. Grace Sterling Stowell, executive director of BAGLY, said the organization made the transition to the space because it is more centrally located than St. John's, and BAGLY wanted to move out of the largely residential Beacon Hill neighborhood. She said over the years much of the real estate around St. John's has been turned into condos or private homes, and one factor that prompted the move is that residents have filed noise complaints when BAGLY youth have gathered on the street outside St. John's before and after meetings. She said the move to Copley Square should eliminate that problem.

"Being in a more centrally located space that opens out to Copley Square would be a very different environment," said Stowell.

Another reason for the move is that the Community Church of Boston, a non-sectarian congregation, has youth programming focusing on social justice issues, and she expects BAGLY and the church to find opportunities to collaborate in their youth programs.

Stowell added that BAGLY is grateful for St. John's support over the years, and she said the church opened its doors to the organization at a time when few churches would have welcomed an LGBT youth program.

"We love St. John's. They've been great to us. We thank them and appreciate them for their 25 years of support," said Stowell.

BAGLY's last meeting at St. John's was held June 27, and there will be no meeting on the July 4 holiday.

Stowell said the first meeting in the new space, July 11, will serve as the organization's 27th anniversary party as well as an open house. BAGLY youth, alumni, staff, board members and others who have been affiliated with the organization over the years are invited to celebrate the organization's history and check out the new space.

BAGLY's anniversary party and open house will be held July 11 at the Community Church of Boston from 5-9 p.m. For more information on the anniversary party or on BAGLY's move contact Alicia Greene at 617.227.4313 or [email protected].