Welcome!
Who are the Billys?
The Billys is a heart-centered community woven together by shared values and by our shared experience as gay, bi, and queer men. We strive to be present and mindful with ourselves and each other as we gather four times a year in extraordinary rural venues in Northern California, and now in collaboratively created, rich online venues. Each gathering is a work of art, carefully crafted by Billys to take us to places of joy and playfulness, intimacy and openness, creativity and self-expression. We embrace everyone with deep welcome and radical acceptance.
What are our values?
Heart Circle is our central ritual and consensus is our process; they embody our values. Ongoing Heart Circles keep us connected and in community in online events through the current pandemic. We encourage ourselves to be present and mindful by advocating an environment free of drugs and alcohol at our gatherings. We envision the creation of a world based on principles of nonviolence, sustainability, cooperation, service, and the building of deeper wisdom through shared perspective.
Upcoming In-Person Gatherings
Winter Gathering
Come Together! Come Together in Celebration, in Compassion, in Community, and in Creativity. Come Together in Celebration with your Billy Brothers and Kin for The Billy Winter Gathering at Saratoga […]
Spring Gathering 2022
Spring Gathering at Saratoga Springs Retreat Center in Lake County, Ca. Would you like to add your vision to co-creating this event?
Upcoming Online Events
Saturday Heart Circle
Please join us for Heart Circle, where we “sit” gently together, holding space for each other and sharing deeply. Heart Circle is where community is forged, and it is the […]
Sunday Afternoon Delight
“From Drag Queen to Rabbi (and Everywhere in Between)" A Conversation with Irwin Keller; Rabbi, Teacher, Writer, Musician, Activist, and Hope-Monger, Facilitated by John Torres Join us for a far-reaching conversation about queerness, […]
Saturday Heart Circle
Please join us for Heart Circle, where we “sit” gently together, holding space for each other and sharing deeply. Heart Circle is where community is forged, and it is the […]
Winter Gathering COVID Safety Protocols
Dear Billys, Like you, we’re THRILLED at the thought of gathering to say au revoir to 2021, and bienvenue to 2022. Naturally, we want to be together in a way
COVID Protocols for the Fall Gathering
Fall Gathering 2021 has been CANCELED All participants will be required to be fully vaccinated to attend this gathering. Verification will be requested as part of registration. The protocols
Billy Values and Trans Inclusion
We (Dewey and Eric) would like to share some thoughts about making our Gatherings safer and more welcoming for our trans brothers. We’re talking now primarily to Billys who, like us, are not transgender. We certainly are not experts on the trans experience—we’re just two Billys who believe strongly that inclusion makes the Billys a stronger, better community.
COVID Safety at the Summer Gathering
INTRO As the summer gathering approaches and the dream of returning to Saratoga Springs is becoming a reality, we recognize you may have questions about the COVID policies we’re putting
