Dear PFLAG Supporter,

Pride is finally here and while it’s a busy month for chapters, it’s also a time for celebration. As you go out into your communities to celebrate, take time to feel the joy! Tell a loved one what they mean to you, take a photo at your event, parade, or picnic, and stay hydrated! The people you meet and conversations you have this month can spark new relationships for years to come. Stay safe, have fun, and HAPPY PRIDE!

Urban Think Tank Alert!

The next Urban Think Tank is upon us! Join us on June 12th for a facilitated discussion with other chapter leaders from urban communities about serving large and diverse communities. Whether your chapter has struggled to support your whole city or whether you have success stories about meeting diverse needs, this space is for you! 

Register for the session on Wednesday, June 12th: 4pm-5:30pm PT/7pm-8:30pm ET.

Don’t forget our social media graphics!

The Strategic Communications & External Relations team at PFLAG National has plenty of social media graphics to share, including during Pride month. LGBTQ+ representation, celebration and community love is at the heart of what Pride is all about, and can mean the world to LGBTQ+ folks in your community. Take a look at the member portal resources for chapter leaders, find them on Canva, or feel free to create your own PFLAG-branded posts on our Canva team. Don’t have a Canva login yet? You can sign up here, and access helpful how-to videos on the Member Portal.

How to be a better ally for Juneteenth

Juneteenth is marked yearly on June 19th. Here are a number of ways to learn and to uplift the day with each other and in your community.

• Take the time to learn about Juneteenth and its importance in history, especially if you haven’t learned about it in the past. Additionally, read about some of the stories and accomplishments of Black LGBTQ+ heroes and pioneers. Check out “Nine Black Queer Activists and History Makers You May Not Have Learned About In School” from Because of Them We Can (@becauseofthem); “15 Amazing LGBTQ People Whose Groundbreaking Lives Helped Shape Black History” from The Root; and “13 Black LGBTQ+ Icons Who Helped Change the World” from OUT. 
• Rewatch our video series What Makes Pride, hosted by Melissa Harris-Perry, which is dedicated to uplifting the work of LGBTQ+ BIPOC people, communities, and organizations. 
• Watch and discuss with your members some past Something to Talk About Live episodes, including episodes on recognizing Juneteenth, celebrating Black History month, and celebrating Black History all year long.
• Check out this guide on ways to honor Juneteenth on your social media channels. Visit (and share) this directory from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on tools you can use to find Black-owned businesses in your community.

Regional Roundup

I’m excited to celebrate with you this month and all year round! Please send highlights from your events so we can center your hard work in future letters and across the region. If you’d like to share photos, we’ve compiled this shared album for chapter leaders and I’d love to read your highlights over email, too!

Stay safe,

Ruadhan Ward (They / Them)

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