PFLAG Alamance Monthly Meeting 
Welcoming new people and old friends

Tuesday, February 8, 2022
7:00 p.m.

Due to the spread of the Omicron virus
in our area, our February meeting will be held on Zoom.

If you wish to join in and haven't been with us on Zoom before, just call (336-584-8722) or email (info@pflagalamance.org), giving us your FIRST name and your email address by next Tuesday (2/8/22) and we will send you an invitation. This allows us to maintain secure meetings and confidentiality. If you have previously participated in our Zoom meetings, you don't have call us.
We continue to learn that Zoom can give us the opportunity to meet together online, time to share our needs, hurts, joys, concerns and any other issues you want to share in a safe, secure environment. Need help with Zoom? Give us a call!

We should have a report from our Chapter Board about
some suggested plans for the remainder of the year!

EQUALITY NC IS HIRING AN ENC DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

The Opportunity – About Equality NC

At ENC we envision a thriving, liberated North Carolina with a powerful LGBTQ+ community united in service of racial and social justice. Our mission is to build LGBTQ+ power through advocacy, education, and uplifting the stories of queer and trans North Carolinians in pursuit of racial and social justice. Join a team that is passionately committed to advancing the collective lived equality for our most vulnerable populations and communities. Our organization has a close-knit culture in which we place a high priority on communication, collaboration, diversity, equity, and inclusion where each person is supported to thrive and grow together. Equality NC recognizes that historical and systemic inequity, especially institutional racism, is the root cause of problems we aim to solve. We acknowledge that it is impossible for us to fulfill our mission without creating an equitable and inclusive environment for our staff, partners, and people we serve. For more information about Equality NC, please visit our website.

Position Summary

We're seeking an experienced and energetic development professional who will coordinate and oversee development duties and fundraising activities. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Development and Operations Coordinator works as a collaborative member of the Development & Operations team.
The ideal candidate will be meticulously organized with the ability to prioritize, must have exceptional attention to detail with strong problem-solving skills and analytical abilities, and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


From NBC Out . . .


Jan. 24, 2022

Amy Schneider, the "Jeopardy!" contestant who recently became the show's top female earner and only the fourth person to take home more than $1 million in prize money, discussed the best part of being on the show in her first live interview.

Schneider, an engineering manager from Oakland, California, on Monday told "Good Morning America" host George Stephanopoulos that being able to represent the transgender community on TV has been a highlight of her experience.

"I think that the best part for me has been being on TV as my true self, expressing myself and representing the entire community of trans people," Schneider said. "And just kind of showing a different thing than maybe some people have seen, of just being a smart, confident woman and just doing something super normal like being on 'Jeopardy!'"

Something to Think About . . .
by Cindy Davis
Let Me Count the Ways
I wasn’t sure what to write about this month. In years past I typically dedicated the February column to Valentine’s Day. This year, aside from my feelings towards my partner, I’m not feeling especially loving. I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but I am feeling exhausted by the pandemic. I dislike what is happening in the world, I dislike what is happening in our country. When I feel deflated and dispirited, my heart isn’t very big. So it follows that I’m not in a particularly loving or romantic place. But I already mentioned this and I’m only in the first paragraph of this column! Don’t get me wrong, this place that I’m in doesn’t feel good. But what is one to do about a depth of sadness and angst that leaves one emotionally breathless?
 
“Fake it till you make it” sometimes works; it can be a helpful coping tool. Unfortunately it misses the mark for me when I find myself driving on the interstate going in the wrong direction. Never been good at small talk, I find it difficult to pretend that I am “fine” when I am most definitely not “fine”, which can be burdensome. So it’s essential that I seek out the few friends of mine with whom I can “let my hair down” and share, share, share. PFLAG always provides a reliable safety net. Admittedly, at times it’s been challenging having to meet via Zoom, (thank you, COVID-19) but the support is constant. 
 
I am so fortunate to have people in my life who fit this bill. Ultimately, I am reminded that I am not alone, that I am not losing my mind, and that my feelings do not define me. Ah, this outpouring of love is soothing. To be heard, to exchange genuine ideas, to trust and be trusted. These are priceless, incredible offerings.
 
Like many other folks, I look forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day. This year however, I’m not up for exchanging candy and cards. But I do plan to stay connected with loved ones who generously gift me with respite from my storm. If at a later date I’m longing for a dozen roses, I know where to find them.


 _Cindy Davis is a retired Licensed Professional Counselor. 
She was an advice columnist for the Times-News, and is also a PFLAG Board Member.

Cindy can be contacted at cbdpflag@gmail.com

Watch for Cindy's column each month on our Newsletter
jpeg image

Supportive Schools & LGBTQ Dignity – Know Your Rights, and How to Fight for Them
JANUARY 7, 2022 IN NEWS BY ABBY SHULER

(Friends from the LGBTQ Center of Durham have shared a link to an interestsing organization working for justice in our public schools.)

This guide was written by Abby Shuler and Craig White of the Campaign for Southern Equality. Abby Shuler is the Research Associate for the Supportive Schools Program, and Craig White is the Supportive Schools Director. 

2021 was marked by a wave of legislation targeting transgender students in state legislatures across the country – and now, as 2022 kicks off, we’re also seeing attacks at the local level: campaigns to ban books with LGBTQ+ topics and characters, protests at school board meetings about LGBTQ+ content in the curriculum, increased harassment of LGBTQ+ students, staff and faculty, and teachers being pressured to take down pride flags and remove affirming messages from their classrooms. 


From NBC Out . . .

JoJo Siwa writes loving message to her young fans 1 year after coming out

The 18-year-old entertainer celebrated a special anniversary and shared the importance of “loving everyone for who they are.”


Jan. 24, 2022, 2:15 PM EST
By Ree Hines

One year ago, JoJo Siwa shared her truth with the world as she came out as a member of the LGBTQ community. Now, the 18-year-old entertainer is celebrating the anniversary of that personal milestone and what it’s meant to her and her young fans.

“In the last 365 days I’ve felt more love than ever,” she wrote alongside the pics, which began with an image of her from January 2021. In the shot, she wore a shirt that read, “Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever.” “A year ago today I posted this picture and shared with the world that I was gay I get asked a lot ‘was coming out scary for you’… and the answer is yes of course, anything that’s different about you is scary, however… it’s what makes me… me.”
And because of that, the “Dance Moms” alum and YouTube star explained that, ultimately, she “had no fear with sharing it with the world.”

But that’s not the only question she faced after coming out.

“I also get asked a lot ‘your demographic is so young are you worried about telling kids your gay,’” she continued. “Truthfully I feel like I was put on this earth to be a role model for kids, and letting all the kids of the world know that loving everyone for who they are no matter what is something that I will always believe in and always share.”


A word to some of you we haven't seen in a while . . .
If you dont feel you need PFLAG any longer, PFLAG needs you! Your experience can make a difference.

A Reminder

PPFLAG ALAMANCE HAS A NUMBER OF RESOURCE BOOKS AND MATERIALS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE SEEKING EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL.

BOOKS and VIDEOS ARE OFFERED TO BE USED AS LONG AS NEEDED, AND BOOKLETS FROM PFLAG NATIONAL ARE YOURS TO KEEP. THERE ARE SOME NEW BOOKS ON OUR CART.

ATTEND OUR MEETING OR CONTACT US AT THE LINKS BELOW AND WE'LL GET THEM TO YOU.

P.O. Box 623,
Elon, NC 27244
Phone Number:
+1 336-584-8722
basicImage