Final December FB Newsletter

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December 2014 PFLAG Buffalo Niagara

PFLAG Buffalo/ NiagaraParents, Families, Friends and Allies United with LGBTQ People

PO Box 617Buffalo, NY 14207

716-883-0384

[email protected]

www.facebook.com/pflag.niagara

We meet because we have

learned that som eone very close

to us is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,

or Transgendered.

We try to help on e another deal

wi th th is in form at ion in a

pos it ive mann er.

Al though we do not agree at al l

t imes, we try to be

understanding.

We offer help to those wh o seek

i t , but do not force ours e lves on

others.

We str ive to mainta in anonymi ty

whi le sharing on a level that is

com fortable for al l of us.

We encourage al l to attendmeet ings for the i r own benef it as

wel l as that of the group.

I t is our hope that when each of

us reaches a point of

und erstanding and accept ance,

we real ize that this is wh en

others need us the most.

You are invited to our annual Holiday Party

Sunday, December14, 2014 @ 2:30 pm

Please RSVP to 883-0834by December 7th

(The party is in place of our December meeting.)

Generally, the sharing meetings are held at Kenilworth United Church ofChrist from 2:30-5:00. Newcomers and anyone interested will be offeredthe option of meeting privately with a PFLAG parent. Our monthlymeetings are in the library, which is near the parking lot entrance. Thefacility is handicap accessible. New Parents Meetings are scheduled asneeded at a location convenient to those involved. These self-help one-on-onemeetings deal with the concerns of parents and family members who haverecently learned that a loved one is gay.
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December 2014 Page 2

PFLAG NATIONAL ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT, NEW INCLUSIVE NAME

We must not be lulled into believing that full equality has arrived the work of PFLAG is not done, not

by a long shot!

Source-www.pflag.orgOctober 24, 2014

PFLAG Nationalthe nation's largest organization of parents, families, and allies united with

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people (LGBTQ)announced today at its annual

membership meeting the election of Jean Hodges of Boulder, Colorado, as its new board

president. She succeeds Rabbi David M. Horowitz, the previous national president, who served

two, two-year terms.

Hodges is a longtime member of PFLAG, having co-founded the Boulder chapter, and served as

its president. She rose through the ranks, serving as a regional director and then as the

chairperson of the 13-member Regional Directors Council. In that capacity, she also served as

the Vice President of the National Board of Directors.

Jean Hodges has been an integral member of the PFLAG National Boardof Directors for years,

boldly leading on a number of issues, especially regarding people who are transgender and

gender nonconforming, elevating their unique issues and educating families and allies on what

roles we all can play to ensure that PFLAG, as the national family and ally organization is a

resource for everyone, said Jody M. Huckaby, PFLAG Nationals executive director. Her

background as a PFLAG mom, educator, community organizer, citizen lobbyist for equality, and

advocate for inclusion in her faith community make her an ideal leader for this transitional

moment in PFLAGs history.

"Im honored and excited to lead PFLAG during this time of rapid social change," said Hodges

after accepting the presidency. "We must not be lulled into believing that full equality has

arrived. The challenges ahead are exciting: working for legal protections in every state, helping

to make faith communities accepting, eliminating employment discrimination for our LGBTQ

loved ones, advocating for gender-neutral spaces in schools for trans and gender-variant

children, just to name a few. The work of PFLAG is not done, not by a long shot!"
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At the same meeting, the membership voted to change the official name of the organization

from Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gaysfor which PFLAG was an acronym

to PFLAG, reflecting the organizations inclusiveness; PFLAG National is the official name of the

national organization.

Also voted on and passed was an updated mission and vision, both of which clearly define

PFLAGs unique role and value within the movement forLGBTQ equality and affirmation. The

change in name comes at a critical time for PFLAG: membership is up, the number of chapters

has grown by 30 in the last year alone, and the support, education, and advocacy that PFLAG

chapters are providing reflect the dynamic changes taking place throughout the LGBTQ

community.This new branding for PFLAG will represent more accurately our unique and

inclusive family and ally voice, a voice that has been affecting change now for 42 years, said

Hodges. The next phase of the re-branding and naming effort will be to work with the

organizations 350+ chapters to develop a new tagline, descriptor, and consistent branding

which also better represent PFLAGs inclusive mission and vision.

WHY DID WE VOTE TO CHANGE OUR NAME?

Explanation and Information from PFLAG National.

www.pflag.org

Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is a long, not entirely inclusiveand not

entirely accuratename of our organization. It leaves out important members and groups of

constituents, such as allies who are increasingly joining PFLAG. As important, the name was

silent on people who are bisexual, people who are transgender, people who self-identify as

queer, and other members of the LGBTQ community, who make up nearly one-third of our

membership, and whom we have actually been serving for a long time.

Many of our chapters have been signaling inclusiveness to their communities through additions

to the name and tag lines, while still others have been inclusive but not addressed the fact that

our shared name does not reflect that reality.


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The Board Strategic Planning Committee heard from these chapters loud and clear, while also

learning that many non-PFLAGers did not realize how inclusive we were. For example? That we

are not only trans-inclusive, but one of the first national organizations to become so.

The name people knowPFLAGwont change. PFLAG is the known quantity, PFLAG is the

trusted friend and neighbor in communities across the country, PFLAG is who we are and will

continue to be.

Why did we vote to change our vision and mission?

The new mission and vision are streamlined, more up-to-date, and better reflec t PFLAGs

unique role and value within the movement for LGBTQ equality and affirmation. The Board

Strategic Planning Committee, comprised primarily of parents on the Board and other

representatives of the chapter network, worked for some two

years to make recommendations on changes that will position PFLAG more accurately for a

current expression of who we are, what we are about, and what lies ahead for the next ten

years.

Additionally, much like the change of name, it better describes the inclusive nature of the work

which, in practice, weve already been doing for a very long time. I am concerned: For people

who do not know PFLAG, the full name explained who we are. The full name provided only a

partial explanation of our organization, the work it does, and whom it represents.

Clarifying who we are is crucial, because for non-PFLAGers (such as press, legislators, and

other groups) the name doesnt reflect our inclusive approach, mission and vision, which

means that someone who could come to PFLAG as a resource might not find themselves

reflected in the name. People need to know that PFLAG is a fully inclusive resource and that, in

addition to working with people who are gay and lesbian, we also work with people of all ages

who are transgender and bisexual. Most important, our descriptor needs to reflect our role as

the unique and united voice of parents, families, allies, and LGBTQ people.

So, what is our new tagline?That is the next phase of this work, and where your input will

be invaluable! In the next six-to-eight weeks, we will be gathering focus groups to collectively

create a tagline that will be a short but accurate description of who and what PFLAG is.


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Then what should I use as a tagline in the meantime?

If your chapter is already using an inclusive tagline that includes everyone in the PFLAG family,

keep using it for now. For chapters not yet doing so, until we complete the focus group

rebranding process, you can use the following as a tagline, or as a description to those who ask

what PFLAG is: Parents, Families, Friends and Allies United with LGBTQ People to move equality

forward or PFLAG is the organization for parents, families, allies, and LGBTQ people united for

equality.

What about our chapter posters, signs, business cards? Can we still use them? For

how long?

Dont panic! We know these changes will take time and resources, and we are here to help. Our

goal here at the national office is to provide toolkits, webinars, conference calls and other

training and collateral to make the process as easy as possible for you and your chapter.

Please continue to use your printed materials until you come to the point that you are ready to

order more; then we can help facilitate the changeover.

In the meantime, well start with online and digital resources, as these dont have cost

associated with them.

All of these changes, though, will take place after we get your input through the focus groups.

Are there state filings, charters, etc that need to be amended?

Possibly, but these vary from state to state. Now that the vote has taken place, the national

staff will be researching the answers to these questions, and will keep you informed and work

with you every step of the way.

Our goal will be to minimize any barriers that would prevent your chapter from doing its

important work.


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PFLAG MOM DEBI JACKSON SHARES THE POWER OF PFLAG

www.pflag.org Thursday, November 6, 2014

You may remember Debi, the mom of a trans kid who took to the stage witha video "letter"--shared onA Note to My Kid--to all who seemed not to understand or want to support herfamily.The video letter went viral, and suddenly Debi found herself with a worldwide platformto share her experiences so that others might learn from them.

In the time since that video was shared everywhere, Debi has become an active PFLAG leader,as the newly elected head ofPFLAG Kansas City!

Debi attended the PFLAG National Annual Meeting last month, to share her story, and alsoshare why she feels that it's crucial that the organization that runs this blog--PFLAG--no longeruse the name "Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays" and instead adopt itsacronym--PFLAG--as the official name of the organization.

There she shared the difference PFLAG has made in her life, as well as her passion for leadingthe KC chapter into the future. Her first order of business? Updating the KC chapterwebsite, to make sure that all families, including families like hers, know they are part of the

PFLAG family.

Debi's words will move you, make you think, inspire you!

Want to read them for yourself? Go to http://www.anotetomykid.org/.

We are interested in your reactions to this name change. Please contact us with your thoughts

and comments [email protected] atwww.facebook.com/pflag.niagara.

We may use them in a future issue. Keep in mind, all of PFLAG, including Buffalo-Niagara

PFLAG, will continue its mission of advocacy, support, and education.
http://www.anotetomykid.org/2014/07/a-letter-to-world-from-debi-about-her.htmlhttp://www.anotetomykid.org/2014/07/a-letter-to-world-from-debi-about-her.htmlhttp://www.anotetomykid.org/2014/07/a-letter-to-world-from-debi-about-her.htmlhttp://www.anotetomykid.org/2014/07/a-letter-to-world-from-debi-about-her.htmlhttp://www.anotetomykid.org/2014/07/a-letter-to-world-from-debi-about-her.htmlhttp://www.anotetomykid.org/2014/07/a-letter-to-world-from-debi-about-her.htmlhttp://www.anotetomykid.org/2014/07/a-letter-to-world-from-debi-about-her.htmlhttp://www.anotetomykid.org/2014/07/a-letter-to-world-from-debi-about-her.htmlhttp://pflagkc.org/http://pflagkc.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/pflag.niagarahttp://www.facebook.com/pflag.niagarahttp://www.facebook.com/pflag.niagarahttp://media2.kshb.com/photo/2014/07/16/16x9/KC_Mother_s_speech_about_transgender_chi_1807270000_6862502_ver1.0_640_480.jpghttp://www.facebook.com/pflag.niagaramailto:[email protected]://pflagkc.org/http://www.anotetomykid.org/2014/07/a-letter-to-world-from-debi-about-her.htmlhttp://www.anotetomykid.org/2014/07/a-letter-to-world-from-debi-about-her.htmlhttp://www.anotetomykid.org/2014/07/a-letter-to-world-from-debi-about-her.html


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Final December FB Newsletter