Dear PFLAG Supporter,

Sunday, July 28th is PFLAG Parent Day, celebrating those who parent and mentor LGBTQ+ people, and for parenting people to shout out their love and affirmation for LGBTQ+ loved ones. Keep an eye on Leadership Matters next week, when we’ll share toolkits and information to help your chapter participate.

Calling All Grandparents: A PCC Meeting Just For You!

We are excited to announce the launch of a new meeting in our PFLAG Connects: Communities (PCC) program: the PFLAG Connects: Grandparent Community. PCC provides safe, virtual, moderated spaces where people with shared experiences can connect each month. PFLAG National’s communities gather people to gain support, ask questions, and learn from others—and that’s exactly what this new community will do.

Our meetings will take place for 60 minutes on the last Monday of each month, at 8pm ET/5pm PT, beginning Monday, July 29th.

As with all PFLAG support groups, there are no dues, fees, or membership required to join. For the PFLAG Connects: Grandparent Community meeting, anyone who is a grandparent of an LGBTQ+ person is welcome to attend. We’re also excited to share that this meeting will include a Gender Spectrum Breakout Room especially for grandparents of transgender and gender-diverse grandkids. 

As always, the only requirement is to register in advance so that we can provide an even higher level of safety and support to attendees. Register now, and then get ready to join us on Monday, July 29th!

Rural Think Tank - Happening TOMORROW!

We know that rural chapters have unique challenges, including navigating anti-LGBTQ+ cultural climates. Whether you have struggled to figure out how to do outreach and promote your PFLAG chapter in a hostile community or had success finding and reaching the LGBTQ+ and ally community, the upcoming Rural Think Tank tomorrow evening will provide an opportunity to discuss and share ideas. Register to attend July’s Rural Think Tank, taking place from 5pm-6:30pm PT/8pm-9:30pm ET.

Regional Roundup

It was a busy pride season and there were so many wonderful events and activities to attend. I was lucky enough to attend two pride events with chapters. I kicked off the month by attending Asbury Pride in New Jersey with PFLAG Jersey Shore! The chapter bought a float for the parade and had a large group of marchers including participants from their YAS youth group. It was amazing to see all of the love and excitement for PFLAG as we made our way toward the beach and festival to round out the day. Next, I headed to Frederick Maryland for their pride festival. I was lucky enough to table with a shared booth for PFLAG Westminster / Carroll County & PFLAG Frederick. It was a hot day in Carroll Creek Linear park and we had a great time seeing Governor Wes Moore speak, offering swag, educational materials, and fun activities for attendees. We also got to connect with our friends at PFLAG Metro DC’s Germantown community group, who were also tabling in a different spot.  

Visiting chapters during pride, and all year round is one of the most meaningful parts of this role and I’d love to try and plan to visit your events. Please let me know if there are events that you’d like me to try and attend, we’ll see if we can get it scheduled! And as a final reminder, please be sure and upload pictures to share with other PFLAGers, here’s the link to the google photo album.

Stay safe,

Shaun Connors (he/they)

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