PFLAG Alamance Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
7:00 p.m.
It's a great time to get back in touch with old friends and meet
some new participants in our local chapter meeting. Help us
explore plans for this new year in our work of support
and education.
Elon Community Church
271 N. Williamson Ave.
Park and Enter from the rear. Plenty of parking there
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A new resurce in Alamance County
PFLAG Alamance was happy to provide food for an organizational meeting of this new support group in our area. "Transcend Alamance is a community-led initiative created to form opportunities that inspire a sense of belonging for LGBTQIA+ and gender expansive folx of any age, race, and ability in Alamance County. We provide links to local resources when available, support groups, and safe, affirming spaces to meet, engage, and be heard."
Take a look at their web site:
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There is much more work to be done for equality . . .
2021 was supposed to be the 'worst year' for LGBTQ rights — then came 2022
Even with the enactment of a historic same-sex marriage bill, advocates describe a harrowing year for LGBTQ Americans.
NBC Out
Dec. 29, 2022
Last year, the nation’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization, the Human Rights Campaign, labeled 2021 the “worst year” for LGBTQ rights in modern U.S. history, citing a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures across the country. This year, the amount has nearly doubled, the group reported.
But as 2022 comes to a close, advocates say this surge of legislation is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to the onslaught lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans have faced.
Over the past 12 months, they say, they have watched in horror as homophobic and transphobic slurs have become mainstream in political discourse and as threats of violence directed at the community have become something of the norm.
“The LGBTQ+ community is really under siege right now,” said Ricardo Martinez, CEO of LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Texas. “We’re seeing attacks that are layered and very different from what we’ve experienced in the past.”
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Something to Think About . . .
by Cindy Davis
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Sometimes my friends forget that I’m not a Counselor anymore. I don’t really mind, but I am careful to keep the boundaries in check. I don’t give advice and I don’t get other family members involved (Linda, see below) so I avoid taking sides. I remind friends that I am happy to listen, as long as they’re not seeking professional feedback.
My friend “Sally” wanted to talk about her gay daughter, who had been dating her girlfriend for two years. Her daughter, “Linda”, had recently been proposed to by her girlfriend “Amy”. Sally had some concerns because Amy has a hard time holding down a job and as a result, she cannot contribute financially to their relationship. When Linda expresses these concerns, Amy gets defensive and “ghosts” her for several days. Any efforts Linda makes to reach out and communicate go unanswered. When Amy finally does respond, she acts as if nothing has happened, and she’s warm and friendly again.
Sally expressed her fears that her daughter may be committing to a very unhealthy relationship. She doesn’t want to see Linda get hurt. It is so difficult to avoid giving advice, to believe that we know how to resolve other people’s troubles. What I tried to do was validate her fears and her worries. Ultimately, we agreed that it would, in fact, be Linda’s job to confront Amy about her apprehension, and face the possible consequences.
Sally was at once relieved. She found it important to have a sounding board. She wanted to be heard. In can be challenging to be quiet, to stay present, and not jump in and try to fix someone who’s hurting. Listening and acknowledging can be caring and kind.
Cindy Davis is a retired Licensed Professional Counselor.
She was an advice columnist for the Times-News, and is also a PFLAG Board Member.
Watch for Cindy's column each month on our Newsletter
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A article from Washington Post . . .
Note: PFLAG is a non-sectarian, non-political organization. However this powerful artlcle on an issue of non-juidgmental acceptance is so timely at this time in our country that it is being shared here.
Transgender or devoutly Christian? An Iowa teen refuses to choose.
Sid High knew some Christians hurt transgender kids who, in turn, reject Christianity. But, for him, his faith and his identity were equally important.
December 23, 2022
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Sid High left church years ago but stayed devoted to God, and so, one Sunday this fall, the teenager and his family gathered in their living room to watch a sermon on YouTube.
His three sisters dragged themselves to the couch, weekend-tired and silent, but Sid plopped down next to his parents with a goofy grin. He’d been up for hours. Every morning, he lined his bay window with prayer candles he bought by the case from the Dollar Tree, and he prayed for everyone he knew.
When the pastor of a local Presbyterian church appeared on screen, Sid adjusted the funky button-down shirt he’d found at a thrift store, and he sat a little straighter.
“Today, we’re going to hear a little story about Jesus,” the minister said. “Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem, and some people called the Pharisees come up to him, and they say, ‘Hey, Jesus, watch out. This king named Herod is after you. He wants to harm you, so you might want to run away.’”
Sid understood that kind of danger. He was 18 and transgender in a world that felt increasingly hostile for young people like him. One group of parents had sued the local school district over its trans-friendly policies, and another had managed to shut down a nearby library because it displayed LGBTQ books. Iowa’s governor had even made condemning trans kids a signature part of her reelection campaign.
People misgendered Sid at work, and teenagers posted mean comments on the TikTok page where he lip-syncs to “Pumped Up Kicks” and other pop songs. Even some of his fellow Christians were becoming more intolerant. Nearly 70 percent of White evangelicals think society has gone too far in accepting trans people, according to data the Pew Research Center released in the summer. That’s up from 61 percent five years ago.
“But Jesus was determined,” the pastor said. “He loves these people that will end up rejecting him. … Let’s have a prayer, shall we?”
Sid closed his eyes. He knew people thought you couldn’t be both Christian and trans, but as the country grew more divided, he found himself growing deeper in his faith. Maybe, he thought, he could do what Jesus had. He could move forward bravely in the face of danger, refuse to stop loving and spread a message of hope.
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A New Service of PFLAG Alamance
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Free Resouce Material . . .
PFLAG ALAMANCE HAS A NUMBER OF RESOURCE BOOKLETS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE SEEKING EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL
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Through the generosity of PFLAG Alamance suporters, we can now send you these excellent publications from PFLAG National without charge:
Our Sons and Daughters
Questions and Answers for Paremts amd families of LGBTQ+ people
Our Trans Loved Ones
Questions and Answers related to Transgender and Gender Expansive persons
Supporting Your LGBTQ+ Grandchild
Your relationship can grow even closer as your work to embrace your grandchid's identity
Just contact us and we will secure the material and send it as soon as possible (allow two weeks):
Email: infopflagalamance@gmail.com
Phone: (336) 584-8722
Mail: PFLAG Alamane
PO Box 623 Elon, NC 27244
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PFLAG Alamance's New Year has begun
Annual Dues are just $25.00
WILL YOU JOIN PFLAG 2023? Membership is never a requirement for attending and participating in our Chapter meetings and activities. Your $25 dues do help us with our local materials and is a measure of your involvement in our goal to be a force for LGBTQIA issues in Alamance County. A portion of that is also sent as your membership in PFLAG National to support the work that you can read about at their pflag.org website. Check it out!
- Bring or send your $25 check (payable to PFLAG Alamance) to PO Box 623, Elon, NC 27244.
- Include your name,
- address,
- phone and email
By acting now you will save us the cost of postage to send out invitations.
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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.
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Email
info.pflagalamance@gmail.com
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P.O. Box 623,
Elon, NC 27244
Phone Number:
336-584-8722
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