Dear PFLAGers:

This was a horrible weekend for our community after five people were murdered--and more than a dozen others injured--at an LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Springs.

As we said in our statement, released on social media yesterday morning:

What happened in Colorado Springs is absolutely devastating; our hearts are with our loved ones there, including our local members of PFLAG Colorado Springs.

Make no mistake: This is what happens when vitriol against us is left unchecked, when LGBTQ+ people are slowly being legislated out of existence, and everyone from legislators to hate groups to social media users use the same vile talking points about us, every day. This is what happens. Devastation and violence.

It starts with words, and continues to lead here, every time.

Book bans.
Don’t say gay.
Violent protests at Pride.
Bans on care for trans kids.
Hundreds of pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

It always leads to this.

We hope you'll join us for an important conversation on the issues tonight; see below for more information.

Support

Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation, Rhetoric, and Violence: Beyond ‘Thoughts and Prayers’

Please join us TONIGHT, Monday, November 21st at 7pm ET/4pm PT, for a special edition of Something to Talk About Live. We'll focus on how we got here, what needs to happen next, and how to care for ourselves in dangerous times. You'll find us live on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

Our panel includes our Executive Director Brian K. Bond (he/him); Ari Drennen (she/her), LGBTQ Program Director, Media Matters for America; Heron Greenesmith, Esq. (they/them), Senior Research Analyst, Political Research Associates; and Rev. Mykal Shannon (he/him). PFLAG National’s Jean-Marie Navetta and the PFLAG National team will be live to take comments, questions, and share resources.

Please join us and let's learn more, connect dots, and find ways to take meaningful action!

Education

Three Steps to Being a Better Ally During the Holidays

Thanksgiving is coming this week, and our LGBTQ+ loved ones often need even more ally support when the holidays roll around. Here are ways to take action.

Learn: PFLAG has several holiday-themed blogs to check out, including How To “Ally” for the Holidays, Going Home For the Holidays… Or Any Days, and Straight For Equality: Allies and the Holidays. Take a look at this Yahoo! article about coming out during the holidays from last year, which featured PFLAG National’s Director for Learning and Inclusion, Jean-Marie Navetta.
Watch: Check out last year’s special holiday-themed PFLAG Academy Online learning session, 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, and The Christmas House on Hallmark Channel.
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 meetings!), crisis intervention hotlines, and LGBTQ+ inclusive 12-step meetings.

Advocacy

Tell your Senators: Vote to support the Respect for Marriage Act

Tell your Senators TODAY to vote YES on the Respect for Marriage Act.

The Senate may vote on the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) as soon as THIS WEEK. The RMA will repeal DOMA and codify into law the right to same-sex and interracial marriage, rights which could become under threat following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.

No matter WHO your Senators are, don’t let them have to wonder what you need them to do: Tell them to vote YES on RMA.

Let your senators know you support the Respect for Marriage Act: pflagnation.al/RMA2022.

Something to Talk About Live!

We're thankful for your viewership...

Our Learning & Inclusion Team is honoring Thanksgiving this Thursday, but they will be back next week with an all-new live show.

In the meantime, tune in for our SPECIAL EDITION of the show TONIGHT! See the Support section above for more details.

We are grateful to all who tune in each week, and we look forward to more great conversations.

Remember: We're here to help. Find us all at pflag.org/about/our-people.

Let’s stay safe, stay healthy--and stay connected.

We're here for you,
Team PFLAG National

I'd like to support PFLAG

PFLAG National
(202) 467-8180 | [email protected]

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