Advancing Equality Through Support, Education and Advocacy
Building on a Foundation of Loving Families
Letter From the Board:

As our kids return to school either on-line, in hybrid format or for in person classes with new social distancing restrictions, it is even more important than ever for parents, teachers, counselors and administrators to focus on the mental health and safety of our students. A 2018 HRC survey found that only about 21% of LGBTQ+ students are out and affirming at home. With more and more time being spent at home, schools need to think creatively about how to create safe and inclusive spaces in on-line classrooms, how to protect privacy and how to reach out to students. If you are a teacher, parent, friend or ally of an LGBTQ+ student, we've attached a few resources for you to use or share with your colleagues in education to meet this growing need. We want you to know that we are here to help support you through these challenging times. We offer support for you and your family, social connections with other LGBTQ+ families, and provide opportunities for engagement in advocacy and education.
Supporting One Another
  • Please join us at our monthly support meetings which are held on the 3rd Monday of EVERY month from 7-9 PM - currently being held on ZOOM. This month's meeting will inclu

  • If you are 18 and older and looking for a social opportunity with other local LGBTQ+ adults, join us every Monday from 8-9 PM on Zoom. Contact us at srvpflag@gmail.com for these invitation only events.

  • If you would like to get on the mailing list for our local 13-18 year old Zoom social, it will be held on Friday evenings from 8-9 PM, please contact us at srvpflag@gmail.com for these invitation only events.
Changing Hearts and Minds
Educating our Community
National Coming Out Day
As we approach National Coming Out Day in October, we know many businesses are holding special events and educational opportunities for their employees. If you would like PFLAG to be a part of these events, please reach out to us by e-mailing srvpflag@gmail.com.

#BEKIND21
Once again, PFLAG Danville-San Ramon Valley is partnering with the Born this Way Foundation for their #BeKind21 Challenge. This challenge helps to make kindness a habit by encouraging people to practice an act of kindness a day from 9/1-9/21. You can join this pledge HERE.

NEW WORKSHOP COMING IN OCTOBER
Supporting Your Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Family Members: 
A Grandparents' Workshop

Join PFLAG Danville-San Ramon Valley, the Rossmoor LGBT Alliance, and a panel of young adults on ZOOM for an evening of education and sharing to learn how to best support your transgender and gender nonconforming loved ones. In this workshop you will:

  • Learn LGBTQ+ terminology
  • Gain an understanding of gender identity formation
  • Learn about the importance of family support
  • Discover how you can best support your trans and nonbinary family members
  • Engage in dialogue with peers in order to support each other.
More information coming soon.


Book Recommendation:
It is important for our children who are just coming out to us, that we, as parents or caregivers educate ourselves rather than putting that burden on our children. One way to help us better understand their realities is by reading novels or biographies about people experiencing similar issues. Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin is a YA novel with a genderfluid teenager as its main character. One of our members found it a helpful read to better understand their child.
Advocating for Change
Voting:
As we get closer to our elections, we want to provide you resources that can help you with every step of the process.

  • WHEN WE ALL VOTE.ORG (to check registration status, registering to vote and requesting a mail-in ballot
  • VOTER ID LAWS (to understand what ID will be required if you vote in person)
  • VOTE411.0RG (to find your polling place and review your ball in advance)

Remember to vote in local elections as well. Our LGBTQ+ children are impacted daily by the policies and practices that are in place in our schools and in our towns. Here's an article with some information on our local elections.

You can also join PFLAG's #2020VotePlanChallenge! by making a #2020VotePlan and sticking to it in rder to make a difference for you and your LGBTQ+ loved ones. By making a plan—and encouraging others to do the same and share their plan—you’ll be increasing the odds that more people will go to the polls and cast their ballots. (Research shows that having a plan to vote increases voter turnout by 4.1%!)

Legislation:
Join NAMI CA for their 2020 Advocacy day on September 10 from 8:30-1:30. Join others in engaging state policy makers to provide better mental health outcomes for our diverse community and family members. Click HERE to sign up.
(925) 207-3599