| Dear PFLAG Supporter, We’re getting closer and closer to Learning With Love: The 2023 PFLAG National Convention. I’m excited to share that we’ve decided to once again extend our Early Bird rates, this time through Labor Day. This is the last extension, so be sure to register now! Most exciting? The opportunity to honor some of our chapters with a PFLAG National Chapter Award. Now is the time to nominate your chapter, or any chapter; submissions are due by August 29th. The PFLAG National Chapter Awards honor the PFLAG chapters that have gone above and beyond in service of PFLAG’s vision and mission. This year's theme, "Getting off the Curb: Expanding PFLAG’s Reach," pays tribute to PFLAG’s visionary founder, Jeanne Manford, and her efforts to create lasting change through advocacy and support. Expanding PFLAG’s reach in support of PFLAG’s mission and vision encompasses a broad variety of activities and actions that the PFLAG Chapter Network regularly engages in, including reaching out to new communities, engaging chapter members with events, focusing on diversity and inclusion efforts, and so much more. This is your chance to shine a spotlight on the outstanding contributions of a PFLAG chapter—whether your own or another—that has made a significant impact for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. By nominating a deserving chapter, you will not only acknowledge the hard work of their leadership and members, but also inspire others to continue the legacy of Jeanne Manford and PFLAG. Nominating a chapter is as easy as filling out this quick form. The deadline to complete a submission is Tuesday, August 29th. All chapters in good standing are eligible for this award, so we encourage you to show your chapter pride and submit your nomination now. At least one member of winning chapters must be present to receive the award at the convention. Have questions? I’m happy to help! | | ![](/leadershiplearningssouthern_080123/8657d0af-299d-45e7-87f4-1f96ec8d224d.png) | Learning With Love: The 2023 PFLAG National Convention- Scholarship Deadline Approaching! | | Don't miss out! PFLAG National is happy to offer a limited number of convention scholarships—awarded at the $500 and $1,000 level—to support folks attending Leading with Love: The 2023 PFLAG National Convention, to be held October 19-22 in Washington D.C. Submit your application for a scholarship today! The deadline for submission is Tuesday, August 15th. We strongly encourage LGBTQ+ people, people of color, young people, leaders of PFLAG chapters formed in the last three years, and people from rural areas to apply. Questions? Reach out to Shaun Connors (he/they) at sconnors@pflag.org. | | ![](/leadershiplearningssouthern_080123/8657d0af-299d-45e7-87f4-1f96ec8d224d.png) | | Need further convincing to register for Learning With Love? Check out these testimonials from our super volunteers, the Regional Directors—PFLAGers just like you—and what they took away from their experiences. “The PFLAG National Convention is truly an amazing and unforgettable experience. Meeting and hearing from PFLAGers from all around the country gave me great ideas for programs and activities to take back to my region. I left feeling recharged and ready to advocate and support the LGBTQ+ community.” - Kevin Toovey, Pacific Northwest Regional Director “Attending the PFLAG National Convention offered me more than networking opportunities—It provided important space to connect with community counterparts, engage in education opportunities, and connect with other PFLAGers in a fun and friendly environment." - Jumel Howard, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director “The last PFLAG National Convention in person was in 2019 in Kansas City, and it was the last time I saw my colleague Drew Griffin. I am grateful to have had that opportunity. At the 2019 PFLAG National Convention we had the first Regional Meeting times as part of the convention. It was so great to see almost 30 volunteers from the Southern Region and to put a person and soul to the name.” - Chad Reumann, South Regional Director We hope you’ll join all of our Regional Directors and staff in Washington, DC to celebrate our 50th anniversary together at Learning With Love. Register today! | | Stay safe, Sachelle Brooks (she/her) | | | | ![](/leadershiplearningssouthern_080123/9c1fbb56-b75e-4bb1-968a-2dd1a90be956.png) | Sachelle Brooks | Chapter Engagement Coordinator Southern Region (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, PR, SC, TN, TX) Pronouns: she/her PFLAG National | P: (202) 558-5581 | pflag.org | straightforequality.org | | | | | | | |