California Men’s Gatherings is a learning organization, educating its members in many ways. We work to connect on an interpersonal level, learn from each other, build lasting social relationships, and grow in community.
CMG connects men to support development in each man as an integrated spiritual, social, sensual, physical, intellectual, and professional being – knowing we are always learning to be the men we want to be.
CMG welcomes all men. As most members and attendees are gay or bisexual, CMG explores what it means to be a man and what it means to be gay and bisexual, in a world that has often been unaccepting.
CMG unites men of different generations to make all our lives better. We support men in coming to terms with their past and empowering themselves in their present.
CMG strives to create a safe space to explore the questions of who we are and who we strive to be as men. We also accept that, even within a “safe space,” it is sometimes necessary and valuable to work through the emotional challenges that may arise during this exploration.
CMG embraces diversity among men, including and not limited to race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, age, body type, HIV status, physical ability, education, financial circumstances, birth gender (in the case of transmen), gender fluidity, sexual orientation, beliefs, religious traditions, and spiritual practices.
CMG promotes understanding, compassion, inclusion, trust, openness, fellowship, and collaboration. We strive to share these gifts both within our community and beyond, through the values of volunteerism, leadership, and − whenever mutually beneficial − mentoring. We believe that a volunteer’s willingness to take on leadership should be supported; learning to lead within CMG fosters leadership qualities that can benefit both the man and the world beyond our organization.
We accomplish our mission, core values and vision through statewide Gatherings, retreats, local events, and leadership experiences – striving to do so with a spirit of fun as often as possible.