Support

Got youth? Check out Q Chat Space

The holidays can be a challenge for anyone--but especially for LGBTQ+ youth, and most especially when they have family who might not be supportive. Q Chat Space, a program partnership of PFLAG National, CenterLink, and Planned Parenthood, is a safe, chat-based online space where queer youth can connect with each other. With safe facilitators, and no cameras, this program has been going strong and has multiple sessions each week.

Visit qchatspace.org to learn more, find a session, and help get youth connected!

Education

Three Steps to Being a Better Ally during the Holidays

As many of us spend time with our family and loved ones, we may need reminders on how best to support our LGBTQ+ family and friends. Refresh your mind on some ways to be a great holiday-time ally.

1. Learn: Check out some oldies but goodies on the PFLAG National Blog including “Going Home for the Holidays…Or Any Days,” “How to Deal With An Unsupportive Family During The Holidays,” “How to ‘Ally’ for the Holidays, and “S4E: Allies and the Holidays.” Think about ways to adapt our recommendations for virtual celebrations!
2. Watch: ICYMI, check out our most reason PFLAG Academy Online learning session from last week, What Would You Do? A Special Holiday Edition For PFLAGers and Allies. Representation matters and some people have waited their whole lives to see folks like them represented in holiday movies. Watch Happiest Season on Hulu, The Christmas Setup on Lifetime, The Christmas House on Hallmark Channel and Single All the Way on Netflix. 
3. Share: The holidays can be a very isolating time of year for some, even when we’re not in the midst of a global pandemic. Use social media to share details about supportive virtual spaces (like your chapter’s PFLAG Connects Meeting!), crisis intervention hotlines, and LGBTQ+ inclusive 12-step meetings.

Advocacy

We the People: Jan 6 Day of Remembrance and Action

As PFLAGers, we know that when we band together with our partners across race and place we can create lasting change. Throughout 2021, we have fought the actions of extremist politicians and militants who attacked the Capitol and have stormed our local school districts as they sought to strip away the rights of LGBTQ+ people, BIPOC people, women, immigrants, and more. Last year, we turned out in record numbers, made sure our votes were counted and that the will of the people prevailed. To have a government of, by and for the people, where all of our rights are respected and freedoms protected – including rights for LGBTQ+ people – we must continue the work to stop those who spread lies or incite violence as they try to claim or hold power. Begin 2022 by showing up for our rights and hosting or joining a “We the People: Jan 6 Day of Remembrance and Action” rallies and vigils. 

Sign up to host a candlelight vigil in your community on Jan. 6!

To learn how to organize in your community, participate in this training on Wednesday, Dec. 22.

Something to Talk About...Live!

No live show this week - but we'll be back in January 2022 with another year of great episodes of Something to Talk About Live!

In the meantime, check out all of our previous episodes from 2020 and 2021, on demand, at pflagnation.al/STTALivePlaylist.