Labor Day Retreat

Sept 4 - 7, 2026

Welcome to the Rowe Labor Day Men's Retreat community for men who love men, where every man is embraced, valued, and celebrated for who they are. Join us in a community of camaraderie, support, and joy.

What is the Rowe Labor Day Men's Retreat?

In 1985, as the HIV/AIDS crisis was terrorizing gay communities across the nation, The Rowe Center took the bold step of opening its doors and creating a public weekend for men who love men. Men experiencing suffering and loss found comfort and companionship. Some, estranged from parents and relatives, created new families. Some who felt abandoned by society, the nation, and sometimes even God, found the embrace of a brother, a community, and sometimes, even God. Many who were grieving also found something to celebrate.

While a great deal has changed in the nearly 40 years since, we still gather for comfort, companionship, a sense of family, and a celebration of this life together. We are the oldest continuous gathering of our kind in the nation, a place where hundreds of lives have been transformed across the decades, and a place where all who seek to join us are warmly welcomed.

We are gay, bi, trans queer, and questioning...

If you don’t see yourself in that list, we’ll add a word – COME. While a great deal has changed in the nearly 40 years since, we still gather for comfort, companionship, a sense of family, and a celebration of this life together. We are the oldest continuous gathering of our kind in the nation, a place where hundreds of lives have been transformed across the decades, and a place where all who seek to join us are warmly welcomed.

What to Expect at a Rowe Labor Day Retreat

We are peer-led and co-facilitated, with no hierarchy, gurus, or masters. Just as in the 80s, we are a group of men gathered in the forest, committed to sharing wisdom, experience, and connection.

Because the weekend is designed and created by all the men who are part of it, each weekend is unique. However, after nearly forty years, we have our traditions.

There are no “mandatory” activities during a Rowe retreat. Our retreats encourage participants to “self-curate”: you determine your own level of engagement, areas of interest, and daily activities. Some Rowe participants find themselves attending as many workshops as possible while others prefer to devote most of their time to relaxing, reading a book in the Farmhouse lounge and catching up with old friends near the snack table. The weekend is yours to create.

Opening and Closing Circles: These sessions help us connect and reflect.
Small Groups: Meet throughout the weekend for deeper connections.
Talent Show, Drag Performances, and Dancing: Celebrate creativity and joy.
Outdoor Fire Gatherings: Share stories and warmth under the stars.
Morning Yoga, Movement, or Meditation: Start the day with mindfulness.
Delicious Meals and Snacks: Enjoy nutritious food and community around the table.
Games and Nature Walks: Engage in fun activities and explore the beauty of the forest.
Workshops: Optional sessions to engage intellectually, physically, emotionally, spiritually, artistically, and creatively.

We are neuro-diverse, equitable, inclusive, and respectful.

Some men have been “out” for decades as leaders or public figures; for others, Rowe is their very first step out in public, beginning a journey of deep exploration and revelation of self. We are men of many different cultural backgrounds, races, body types, ages, and physical abilities. Some of us identify as spiritual and some have been “burned” by religion—we keep a space for all, and we share it together.

Our robust scholarship fund ensures financial constraints never limit anyone’s ability to join us. We strive to create an environment where men make authentic connections, with each other and within themselves. As a community we agree to keep our gatherings alcohol and substance-free.

We are peer-led and co-facilitated. We have no hierarchy, gurus or masters. We continue, as we did in the 80’s, to be a group of men, gathered in the forest, committed to offering each other wisdom, experience, and connection.

Meet your Co-Directors

Bill Chisholm has been teaching yoga and stress management for 30 years. He is certified in Kripalu Yoga and completed Herbert Benson’s Mind/Medicine course through Harvard. He has also done extensive study and practice in vinyasa, Iyengar, and PNF yoga. He is the former founder of Cape Ann Yoga Center and has taught stress management and yoga at the Marino Health Center in Cambridge and several other medical facilities in the Boston Area. He is a fine art oil painter exhibiting throughout New England and a passionate student of both cello and duduk.

JIM PETOSA (co-facilitator) is Professor Emeritus at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, where he directed the School of Theatre (2002-2019) and taught through 2023. He served as artistic director of New Repertory Theatre (2012-2018), Boston Center for American Performance (2009-2019), and Olney Theatre Center in the DC area. He is co-artistic director of Potomac Theatre Project/PTP/NYC (1987-present).

A member of Actor’s Equity and the Society of Directors and Choreographers, Petosa is a current board member and past president of Becket Arts Center, chair of Quincy’s LGBTQ+ Commission, and has served on the Board of Governors at United First Parish Church in Quincy, MA.