A free community space for late-identified neurodivergent adults to connect, share lived experiences, and explore the intersections that shape our identities.
These meet-ups are not coaching sessions or group therapy. They're informal gatherings where people can talk about their journeys, reflect on their experiences, and find companionship with others who “get it.” Each meet-up centers a specific intersection of identity, such as being over 40 or part of a cultural minority, while recognizing that each person brings a unique combination of experiences, perspectives, and identities.
SAFE Unmasking™ and Acceptance and Commitment Coaching influence the tone of these gatherings through curiosity, care, and self acceptance. The goal is to create a space where people can speak openly about masking, identity, belonging, and daily life without pressure to perform or explain.
Whether you're navigating late identification, exploring your identity, or looking for connection, these meet-ups offer a community where your story is valid and your voice matters.
If you are seeking support, community, and a place to be yourself, you're welcome here.
Note: When you register for your first meetup, you’ll be asked to create an account on Paperbell, the platform I use for my coaching practice. You only need to do this once. For future meetups, you’ll simply enter the same email you used before and Paperbell will send you a code to finish the registration.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out through the "Contact Me" section on the homepage. I’ll be happy to help.
June 2026 Intersectional Meetups: Boundaries and Belonging
For many late-identified neurodivergent adults, boundaries can feel complicated. We may recognize that something isn't working, feel overwhelmed by competing needs, or find ourselves saying yes when we mean maybe, later, or no.
Boundaries are often misunderstood as walls, ultimatums, or ways of pushing people away.
What if boundaries could be something different?
What if they were a way of staying connected to yourself while remaining in relationship with others?
What if they helped create more room for authenticity, wellbeing, and choice?
This month, we'll explore Boundaries and Belonging through two intersectional spaces: Over 40 and Unmasking and Multicultural and Unmasking. Each group centers a distinct lived experience while recognizing the shared challenges many neurodivergent adults face when learning to identify, communicate, and honor their needs.
Together, we'll explore questions such as:
These gatherings are grounded in a befriending approach, a practice of compassionate presence popularized by Chad Varah of the Samaritans movement. Together, we create space for conversation and shared understanding without pressure to fix, advise, or reach conclusions. A place to explore the questions, experiences, and challenges you're navigating, listen with curiosity, and connect with others who may recognize parts of your experience.
You're welcome to share, offer support, or simply be present. There's no right way to participate, and your autonomy around how you show up will always be respected.
Next Meetup: June 23, 2026 - 8pm EDT (New York), 5pm PDT (Los Angeles)
Late identification can bring a lot to the surface. Maybe it explains years of burnout or masking at work. Maybe it shifts how you understand your relationships, your needs, or the roles you were expected to play. It can feel confusing, freeing, validating, overwhelming, or all of the above.
In this space, you can talk about the realities of unmasking later in life, navigating identity changes, moving through aging as a neurodivergent adult, or processing the grief and relief that often show up together. Sharing experiences with others who get it can help you feel less alone and build a sense of community that many people missed earlier in life.

Next Meetup: June 24, 2026 - 8pm EDT (New York), 5pm PDT (Los Angeles)
Language, immigration, religious expectations, cultural norms, family roles, ethnicity, disability, and community pressures can all influence how you learned to mask, what feels unsafe to show, and what unmasking brings up now.
In this space, you can talk about the layers that make unmasking complex. Maybe you were raised to prioritize the group over the self. Maybe you learned to stay quiet, blend in, or avoid drawing attention. Maybe showing your needs never felt acceptable, or being different carried real risks. These experiences can make late recognition of neurodivergence feel confusing, validating, or emotionally heavy in ways others may not fully see.
Here, you can share what feels true for you, connect with people who understand these intersections, and explore what authenticity looks like in your context.
Late identification as an LGBTQIA+ adult can stir up a lot. Maybe it helps explain years of masking to stay safe, playing certain roles in family or community, or shifting yourself to fit into spaces that were never built with you in mind. Maybe it changes how you understand your identity, your needs, or the way your queer and neurodivergent experiences overlap. It can feel clarifying, disorienting, empowering, emotional, or all of the above.
In this space, you can talk about what authenticity looks like now, how intersectionality shapes your lived experience, and what it means to unmask while also navigating queer identity, community expectations, and safety. You can share the realities of shifting self-understanding, explore what changed and what stayed the same, and connect with others who hold similar layers.
These guidelines keep our monthly meet-ups safe, respectful, and supportive for everyone. Please read them before attending.
Join in the way that feels right for you. You may use your webcam, speak, type in the chat, use reactions, or simply listen. All forms of participation are valid.
What is shared here stays here. Please protect the privacy of everyone in the group.
Recording audio, video, or screenshots is not allowed. This helps keep the space safe for genuine connection.
Treat each person with care and respect. We honor diverse lived experiences, identities, and communication styles.
We approach each other with openness, not correction. Lived experiences may differ, and that diversity is welcome.
Sharing personal experiences is encouraged. Offering advice is optional and should only be given when someone clearly requests it.
We don’t evaluate or label each other, nor do we require or prioritize formal diagnosis. Access to diagnosis varies, and self-identified neurodivergent people are fully welcome and respected.
Use “I” statements and avoid assuming someone else’s reality. Every story is unique.
Be mindful of how much time you take when sharing so others have space to speak. Support will be offered to help keep contributions to about five minutes or less.
We honor each person’s self-identification regarding neurodivergence, gender, sexuality, culture, and lived experience.
These meet-ups offer conversation and community. They are not a place for crisis support, mental health treatment, or coaching sessions.
Take breaks, step away, or log off at any time. Your well-being comes first.
Disclaimer: Content, coaching services, and materials provided by Mark H. Durgee (The Unmasking Guy) are for educational and personal growth purposes only and are not a substitute for therapy or medical care. Mark is a professional coach, not a licensed mental health provider. All content is for personal use only and may not be copied, sold, or altered without permission. By using this site, you agree to the terms and to legal jurisdiction under Mexican law. For licensing contact mark@markdurgee.com. If you're in crisis seek local emergency support.
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