“I spent 12 years living in San Francisco in the early ’80s, when AIDS first struck, and I went through the death of probably 100, if not more, people — some really close friends,” recalled Bobby Edelson, workshop facilitator of Hearts in Touch, a social and spiritual group for gay men. “As a boy in [my] early 20s, it had a major impact on me to see that much death at that age. I realized that what I came out of that with was a real passion and understanding that this is it, that life is precious. To take care of myself and honor relationships is really one of the most important things I can do in my life, and if I can do that in any way to support other men and [help] other people to recognize how precious life is, [then that’s great].”

Hearts in Touch offers events and workshops for men who are looking for deeper, more fulfilling connections with other men in the context of healthy relationships. Edelson, who has been a motivational speaker for 20 years and specializes in health, spirituality and relationships, incorporates healing touch, spiritual counseling and breathing techniques in teaching ways to build and maintain healthy relationships with the self and others.

“We call it a holistic approach to relationships,” he explained. “We teach ways of being with each other. Number one through effective ways of communicating — emotionally learning the value of being more vulnerable as a better way to connect with other people.… My experience is a lot of men don’t really get a chance to go in deeper and connect and have more rewarding relationships with each other. This is a way to hang out with each other as an alternative to bars.… It’s mostly singles, but even when it’s couples I tell them that they are there for themselves.”

The next regular Hearts in Touch workshop will be held June 28-July 2, but Edelson will offer two free workshops Friday, June 7, and Friday, June 13, at 7:00 p.m.

“I do this work because I believe in the value of the work and because I love community,” Edelson concluded. “People do substantially transform their lives and turn them in a healthier, more satisfying direction through this work, and it’s exciting to be part of that.”

For more information on Hearts in Touch, call (619) 232-2142.