LDS Mother of Gay Children Protest the Protest

Mormon mothers of gay children are staging a candlelight vigil in Salt Lake City to oppose the LDS Church’s support of California’s proposed gay-marriage ban. The event is being co-hosted by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Equality Utah, the Utah Pride Center, the Inclusion Center, Affirmation and the Human Rights Campaign. The event will be held today at 6 p.m. at Library Square, 210 E. 400 South.

In a news release, organizers invited all allies and members of the GLBT community - Mormon and non-Mormon - to join the vigil to support civil rights.

For Those Who Support the GLBT Community

First and foremost, if you are straight, and you support the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender community, THANK YOU! Fortunately for us (the GLBT community) there are many of those on the out-side, such as our family and friends who, although are not directly part of the GLBT community, provide our community with a great deal of support.

Maybe you are one of those who are not gay, but love someone who is? Perhaps a co-worker, friend, son or daughter has recently come out to you. Maybe it’s even your parent.

If you, or someone you know, has recently been “come out” to, then perhaps the most important thing you can do is give your support. Not sure where to begin?

One organization, PFLAG or Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays can provide you with the resources you need.

To find a PFLAG chapter near you, click here.

When and If You Are Ready to Come Out

I have taught my son many things. To be honest, he has taught me much more. What I want to leave you with now is the product of these things. The most important thing in life, as far as I am concerned, is to be who you are. Unfortunately, being who you are sometimes comes at a price. I wish that I could say that the person/s whom you fear hurting the most will “come around”. I wish that I could say that all parents, relatives, friends, employers, fellow employees, all peripheral people will come to understand and accept who you are. I cannot say that; I would never give you a hope like that.

Read the rest of this amazing post at connyvandyke.wordpress.com.

I’d Like to Buy the World a…..Pepsi

PepsiCo has pushed aside boycott threats from Donald E. Wildmon’s hate and bigotry group, the AFA. and have decided to donate $500,000 to a PLFAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). The money donated to PFLAG will be used to develop and support the Straight for Equality program.  The donation allow an expansion of workplace training, support chapter-based projects and fund the creation of new Straight for Equality outreach tools.

According to Jody M. Huckaby, executive directory of PFLAG, “PepsiCo has provided PFLAG with an enormous gift, and an unparalleled opportunity, to demonstrate the power we have to create change, no matter where we are, or who we are. Because of the Foundation’s generosity and commitment, we now have the resources to produce materials for our chapters to use in their communities, and to create critically important conversations, in every corner of our country.”

PFLAG launched the Straight for Equality program, which is designed to reach the straight ally who doesn’t necessarily have a family connection in the traditional PFLAG sense back in October 2007.  The program’s focus is to reach new potential allies who share PFLAG’s commitment to equality for all.

“The challenge wasn’t just figuring out how to talk to these potential supporters,” said PFLAG national president John Cepek.  He added, “It was about finding the place where, on a national level, we could get the conversation started, and keep up the momentum moving forward.”

The PepsiCo Foundation gift, the company said, is intended to continue building and implementing the unique Straight for Equality approach to relationship building.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with PFLAG,” stated Jacqueline Millan, Director of PepsiCo Corporate Contributions.

“The Straight for Equality in the Workplace training program is unique in that it is promoting the necessary message of inclusion to untapped groups within the local community, and that is a crucial step towards building a healthy working environment.”

Winston-Salem PFLAG Seeking Nominees

The Winston-Salem Chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is seeking nominations for its fourth annual Kaleidoscope Awards, which recognize the contributions of allies to the local gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community.

Nominations are accepted in five categories: Business; Education (formerly School); Faith Community; Individual; and a new category, Community Organization. These awards focus on the changes being made by fair-minded allies, independently or within organizations, who recognize that moving equality forward is the key to achieving justice for GLBT people.

With the addition of the Community Organization Award, PFLAG recognizes that there are many civic and special-interest organizations that are inclusive and advocate for the civil rights of GLBT people but do not fit into one of the other categories. Additionally, the renamed Education Award has been expanded to recognize those who work for change within the system. Individuals (students, educators, counselors and administrators) as well as educational groups or schools can be nominated for making schools a safer place for GLBT students.

Applications are available at www.pflagwinstonsalem.org and will be accepted through Sept.15. Nominations can be submitted online via e-mail to info@pflagwinstonsalem.org, or by mail to PFLAG Winston-Salem, PO Box 15477, Winston-Salem, NC 27113.

You can also read more of this at 2journalnow.com.

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