Dear PFLAG Supporter,

Pride is in full swing and we know you’re keeping busy with tabling, events, and continuing to support your community. 

That said, I’ve got some important information to share this week. So here’s what else you’ll find in this edition of Leadership Learnings: 

• Critical SCOTUS Rulings Coming, including US v Skrmetti
• Last Call for Pride Packs
• Early Bird Convention Registration + Compassion In Action at the Convention
• Rural Think Tank Alert
• Resilience Round up: Juneteenth is in 2 days!

Critical SCOTUS Rulings Coming, including US v Skrmetti

Amidst the empowering time of Pride, we wanted to elevate information and actions regarding legal decisions we are anticipating from the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) on several cases that impact our families. These cases include Mahmoud v. Taylor and, most importantly, U.S. v Skrmetti, a lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors. We expect these rulings to hit sometime between tomorrow (the next scheduled SCOTUS Decision Day) and the end of June. (There is a small possibility that decisions will extend into July, but this is not the likeliest scenario.)

While you’ll always hear from PFLAG National in response to cases that impact the people we serve, Skrmetti has been a particular focus here, as this is the first time the Supreme Court has directly considered how the Equal Protection clause applies to gender-affirming care for minors. Tennessee is one of 24 states that comprehensively ban such care and, if the court sides with Tennessee, it could give the green light to states to deny gender-affirming care to over one-third of the trans youth living in the U.S.

On the day we receive the decision in Skrmetti, regardless of the outcome, know that it will take time for the legal experts to review the decision and share broadly the impacts; we do not want to get ahead of the legal experts, so it is important to remain patient. 

That said, we will post several times to our social media with updates, as well as send emails that you should keep an eye out for:

• We will send one email within the hour after the opinion is released. This email will give a broad overview of the decision and a response from our CEO.
• Within several hours, we will send an email out to all PFLAG chapter leaders, which will include guidance should you receive any press requests about Skrmetti.

As always, I am here to support you in whatever you need. Additionally, Laura McGinnis, our Sr. Manager, Public Relations, is available for any help needed with media requests; don’t hesitate to reach out to her for help at lmcginnis@pflag.org.

Early Bird Convention Registration PLUS Compassion in Action

Registration is open! Get early bird rates now for Learning With Love: The 2025 PFLAG National Convention.

Through workshops, panels, and presentations from PFLAG National staff, chapter leaders, organizers, and community leaders, we’ll provide insight, expertise, training, strategies, and best practices so that we can continue our work to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Early bird rates are good only through July 1, 2025, so don’t miss your opportunity to register at the lowest possible rate. Hotel information and a link to book your room will be provided in your registration confirmation.

Visit pflag.org/2025convention to register today! 

PLUS…We are thrilled to announce the inaugural Compassion in Action: The PFLAG Chapter Leader Institute, happening before Learning With Love: The 2025 PFLAG National Convention. Compassion in Action is a dedicated space—similar in style to our Rural and Urban Think Tanks—centering chapter work, rooted in chapter leader-focused ideas and tactics for growing community engagement. 

This year’s theme focuses on progress over perfection and sustaining a PFLAG chapter through thoughtful community engagement. Together, we’ll explore important topics such as aligning chapter programming with community needs, fostering leadership development, creating thoughtful administrative practices, and redefining support for evolving communities.

The Institute will take place on Friday, October 10th from 9:00 - 11:50 AM, and space will be limited to the first 75 participants who register. Therefore, in addition to registering quickly, we ask that you limit attendance to no more than two (2) board members per chapter. Attendance is included as part of your convention registration, so you must be registered to attend Learning With Love in order to participate. 

To sign up, register for Learning With Love, and answer yes to the question “Are you a part of a local chapter?” We will reach out later this summer to circulate sign ups and additional information. If you have already registered for Learning With Love and would like to sign up to receive information about Compassion in Action, please reach out to Chapter Engagement staffer Ruadhan Ward at rward@pflag.org. 

We can’t wait to be with you in person, in courageous love—and in community.

June’s almost over: Last call for Pride Packs!

Don't forget about the new PFLAG Chapter Leader-Only Swag Shop at chapterswag.pflag.org, where you can order your favorite event items in bulk at a much larger discount than our public-facing shop. You only have until June 30th to spend your $200 from PFLAG National on swag items, and to use that additional 50% off code. There will be no exceptions to this end date, as codes have been active for use since February 19th.

Here’s how it works: 

1. For the $200 credit: You’ll use your unique PFLAG Chapter ID as your code at checkout. We’ve made a visual walkthrough to help you find it, or contact your Chapter Engagement staffer for support. 
   1. Once you locate your code, connect with your fellow chapter board members, visit the shop, make your decisions about what items you’d like, then place your order using your PFLAG Chapter ID to get that $200 off. Spend it all on that order—once you use that code it will NOT be usable again.
   2. It is very important that you enter your discount code during checkout to receive the $200 off. If you fail to use that code to place your order, we will work with our providers to get you a refund; however, we will deduct from that refund the charges incurred from having to re-add the code—which are 2.9% of the order total, plus $0.30. 
2. For the 50% off: Use the code Pride2025. This code can be used on any additional orders between now and June 30th. This code CANNOT be applied to the initial order using your $200 credit. 
3. When you place ANY order, tell us in the section called “Leave a Note With Your Order” your chapter name and when your soonest event is; our team will do its best to prioritize events that are earlier (for example, our Florida chapters who celebrate Pride in March!).

Again, both codes expire on June 30, 2025, so if you have Pride events later in the year please order ahead of time to take advantage of these discounts. Shipping times might be slightly longer given the anticipated volume of orders, so please plan in advance as it may take anywhere from 7-20 days from placing your order to delivery date.

When items are out of stock, they will be noted as a “pre-order.” Note that when items are in pre-order it can take roughly three-to-four weeks to receive your order. 

If you are experiencing issues with your code, the shop, or need assistance with your order, please contact the team at branding@pflag.org; someone will follow up with you within 48 hours.

Rural Think Tank Alert!

Looking ahead to after Pride Month, it’s important to keep up the momentum and engage all the potential new PFLAGers. Consider thinking beyond support, education, and advocacy and build PFLAG community with social events. Come prepared to discuss social engagement at July’s Rural Think Tank on Wednesday July 16th at 4pm-5pm PT/7pm-8pm ET. Note that this Rural Think Tank will be one hour, not ninety minutes. If you can’t make it but would like to watch the recording, make sure you register to receive the link to watch later.

Resilience Roundup

Juneteenth is this Thursday, a good opportunity to ground your chapter work in liberation for all. PFLAG National will post about Juneteenth on our social media, so go ahead and share those posts on your own PFLAG chapter accounts! If possible, engage with Juneteenth in person as well. If there are any local Juneteenth celebrations, attend as a chapter to show solidarity and to work to build cross-movement connections (maybe you can table at a Juneteenth celebration next year!). 

I know June is a busy time, but it’s important to prioritize building an inclusive PFLAG culture—and a strong local community.

Stay safe,

Eddy Funkhouser (they/he)

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