Dear PFLAG Family and Friends,
*Please note: You may receive this newsletter twice today due to our migration from our old email system to our new one. If you haven't already joined PFLAG's new online community you must do so to contiue receiving our newsletters and updates!
Every day, in every corner of our country, PFLAG members are working for change. As the largest grassroots organization of allies and advocates working on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, our members and supporters are on the frontlines, at the local level, providing support for parents and families, and helping LGBT people through the coming out process. And every day, PFLAG is speaking out for our families and loved ones, too. PFLAG chapters are often the only local resource available, in much of the country, for those who are fighting prejudice and discrimination.
In North Carolina, for example, our PFLAG chapter spoke out following the unexpected defeat of a comprehensive safe schools bill in the state legislature. After months of working for a bill that specifically included LGBT students, a number of lawmakers, under pressure from anti-family activist groups, suddenly switched their vote, killing the legislation. Our local supporters are rallying members to contact their lawmakers and insist the bill be re-considered and approved. And Mike Clawson, our North Carolina PFLAG state coordinator, called out the legislature in the media, telling a local television station that "legislators need to remove their blinders of discrimination . . . all children are in danger of being bullied."
 In Tacoma, Washington, the local PFLAG chapter has long stood out as a critical sanctuary for parents and families who are dealing with a loved one's coming out. On July 20, the News-Tribune highlighted the real, positive difference Tacoma PFLAG makes in the community, telling the stories of three local families who have been changed through their involvement with the chapter. Reporter Debbie Cafazzo profiled the Scheurers; the Lathams; and Sue Redkey and Dan Chushing and their daughter, Saracristina Garcia. Writing about the Scheurers, Cafazzo says that "Both Larry, now 61, and Vernene, now 55, made an immediate decision to accept their son, Jarid, for who he is. But as accepting and supportive as they were, the Puyallup couple knew they also needed support. They turned to the Tacoma chapter of a national organization called PFLAG: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays." The paper reported that, "Jarid is glad his parents are PFLAG members." He says that, "I have some gay friends who are jealous of that."
 In the nation's capital, the Metro D.C. PFLAG chapter is ensuring that communities of color have a safe and welcoming space to discuss their unique needs and challenges, too. With a 2008 Diversity Grant from PFLAG National, the local chapter recently launched a six-part series addressing LGBT issues in the African-American community. On July 24, the chapter hosted an evening discussion, with a packed house, featuring Saro Harvey and his mother, Emily. Saro, a 15-year-old sophomore who was also the focus of a Washington Post story on LGBT youth, spoke as part of the Brothers and Sisters Under the Rainbow series. His story also inspired an ABC News report on youth and safe schools, featuring Lisa Rivero of PFLAG's Safe Schools Chapter in Brevard County, Florida and supportive school administration officials who have worked closely with Jean Hodges, our Mountain West Regional Director, and a member of PFLAG Boulder.
More and more people are finding a warm embrace, and a supportive extended family of allies, at their local PFLAG chapters. And every day, they are moving conversations about important issues - from adoption rights for all couples to the anti-family "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law - from the front yards of their communities to the front pages of the news.
Here are some of the other initiatives PFLAG has taken on, at the local and national level, as part of our work to move equality forward:
 PFLAG awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships to worthy students across the country . . . and one on a military base in Japan! We were proud to grant 13 scholarships to LGBT students - and straight allies - who have demonstrated a commitment to working for equality in their schools and communities. Our scholarships, funded by the Palmer B. Carson Trust and other private donors, including the Gay, Lesbian and Allies at Dow (GLAD) Employee Network and the New York Gay Football League, make a real difference in the lives of students who are making a real difference in their communities.
 We stood up for the rights of loving same-sex couples to adopt when presidential candidate, Senator John McCain, spoke out against those rights in The New York Times. Just 24 hours after PFLAG defended LGBT families who have given safe, loving homes to foster children, the Associated Press asked McCain to respond to our statement and he issued a clarification backing away from his original comments.
 As Congress debated "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," we made sure the family voice was heard. PFLAG was proud to submit written testimony to the House Armed Services Committee as they debated the military's ban for the first time in 15 years. Noting that the law impacts not just our troops, but their families as well, PFLAG showcased stories like Nancy Manzella's. Nancy, a military mom whose son served as an openly gay medic inside Iraq, told her story - as part of a week-long blog series on military families - exclusively to PFLAG. And USA Today highlighted our work to lift the ban in a story that also featured retired General John Shalikashvili, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, whose son Brant has been an instrumental part of the fight to repeal this law.
All of us at PFLAG National are proud to be part of the incredible work our chapters tackle every day. Because of your dedication and commitment, our families are stronger, our country is better and our voices are being heard.
Together, we are moving equality forward!
All my best,
Jody M. Huckaby
Executive Director
P.S.: In October, our North Bay Chapter will join forces with other area organizations to sponsor the 2008 Northern California Conference on Transgender Health and Wellness. For two days, medical professionals, mental health professionals and transgender individuals and their families and loved ones will be able to meet and talk with experts about a wide range of issues, and learn more about support resources for transgender people in the local community. For more information, or to register, click here.
PFLAG in the News
Here are some recent news stories featuring local PFLAG chapters as well as the National Office:
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