PFLAG Buffalo-Niagara

PFLAG Buffalo-Niagara Parents, Families, Friends and Allies United with LGBTQ People

PO Box 617 Buffalo, NY 14207

716-883-0384

info@pflagbuffalo.org www.pflagbuffalo.org

www.facebook.com/pflag.niagara

May Sharing Meeting May 23rd, 2:30-5:00

This is Annual Members’ Meeting with Board Voting before Sharing

Kenilworth United Church of Christ 45 Dalton Drive, Tonawanda, NY 14223

The sharing meetings are held at Kenilworth United Church of Christ, 45 Dalton Drive, Tonawanda 14223, from 2:30-5:00. Newcomers and anyone interested will be offered the option of meeting privately with a PFLAG parent. Our monthly meetings are in the library, which is near the parking lot entrance. The facility is handicapped accessible. New Parents Meetings are scheduled as needed at a location convenient to those involved. These self-help one-on-one meetings deal with the concerns of parents and family members who have recently learned that a loved one is gay.

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We meet because we have learned that someone very close to us is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender. We try to help one another deal with this information in a positive manner. Although we do not agree at all times, we try to be

understanding. We offer help to those who seek it, but do not force ourselves on others. We strive to maintain anonymity while sharing on a level that is comfortable for all of us.

Page 2 PFLAG Buffalo/Niagara

MAY VOTING FOR BOARD POSITIONS

Please note: At our next meeting on May 15, those present will be asked to cast their votes for

president and vice president of our board of directors. Our current president and vice-

president, Philip Salemi and Amy Fularz, respectively, have indicated they would like to

continue in these current roles and have the support of the board. We hope to see you at this

to have your voice heard.

PFLAG BUFFALO/NIAGARA NEWS----- CHAPTER NEWS AND INFORMATION

In April, board members were guests at the Gay Students’ Association at Niagara

University. Board members Ann and Brian Carrier, Sharon Barrett, along with our president,

Phil Salemi, Jr., shared the mission of PFLAG, its history, and how it helps educate, advocate,

and support the LGBTQ community through working with parents, family, and friends of loved

ones who have come out.

The meeting took place on campus in St. Vincent Hall at 6:30. The group had reached out

to PFLAG on its Facebook page, asking that a representative come to speak. The group was

interested in having local groups with LGBT focuses share at their meeting. They were also

interested in the issues that arise when a loved one is LGBT in a Catholic family.

The PFLAG parents shared how they manage being members of such a faith, while also

being loving and supportive parents.

PFLAG Buffalo-Niagara

PFLAG is always interested in speaking to groups, doing informational tabling, at events,

and sharing its mission in other ways when asked. Please keep this in mind; PFLAG hopes to

get many requests to speak, and PFLAG thanks Niagara University’s Gay Student Association

for reaching out.

Please follow or cut and paste this link to learn more about the Niagara Alliance and all that is

offers students on campus http://www.niagara.edu/nu-alliance/.

SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE PRESENTED SOON!

Board members met on April 29th to choose up to two worthy applicants for the PFLAG

Buffalo/Niagara Scholarships. Two awards are given annually. This is the third year of the

award, and it is always a difficult decision made after much discussion. Applicants must fill out

an application, write and essay, and attach a letter of reference. The focus of the award is to

honor LGBTQ senior high students or allies who have shared their experiences being LGBTQ,

stayed strong through difficult times, and/or who have shown strong support of others. Grades

are not the focus. Applicants also share in their essays how they have used their high school

years and will use their time in college for support and advocacy.

The two names have been chosen, but as the winners are often told, Publishers’

Clearinghouse Style, at their school’s Gay-Straight Alliance May meetings, we will not divulge

the names at this time. Please know that two very worthy seniors will be getting $500.00 each

toward their college tuition and associated costs; we hope to post the information and pictures

of these special presentations in next month’s newsletter.

Page 4 PFLAG Buffalo/Niagara

A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A LUNCH AND LEARN AT THE SAME TIME: TRANS 101

Julie Christiano

While volunteering at Veterans’ Hospital on March 28th, I was heartened to hear an

announcement over the PA system. It announced a lunchtime meeting and presentation, Trans

101. All were invited. I decided to attend.

Michelle Wolf is from the University of Buffalo School Social Work department and a

transgender advocate. Ms. Wolf presented the Trans 101 power point and led the discussion

and the opportunity for all to “lunch and learn.” There was even remote access with two

employees from other Veterans hospitals joining.

The presentation had four sections: An overview of the transgender condition and clarification

of terms used; differences between gender variant populations; an overview of how to interact

with transgender people, along with statistics, and the bathroom issue: and Michelle’s sharing

of her personal journey.

There were approximately 15 people attending and 2 online. Michelle said she was hoping

for more but that every opportunity she has to “speak to people and educate them on the

transgender condition and transgender issues is a gift.” She is thankful for the chance to

“broaden the public understanding” and the chance to help make more “friends” for the trans

community.

This opportunity came during National Professional Social Work Month. Karen Lott, an

employee and also leads the LGBT and Straight Ally Committee, which partnered with the

Veterans Health Care System for this event.

It was very nice to see that this opportunity was open to all, offered during a work day, and

a strong step in the right direction. My hat is off to all who made this possible. Michelle Wolf

would like to be contacted if others would like to have her present her very informative Trans

101 class. Please contact Julie Christiano at jchris145@msn.com contact information.

PFLAG Buffalo-Niagara

PFLAG BUFFALO-NIAGARA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Phil Salemi, Jr., President Lisbeth Ball, Director

Amy Fularz, Vice President David Barrett, Director

Brian Carrier, Treasurer Sharon Barrett, Director

Michele Perry, Secretary Ann Carrier, Director

Julie Christiano, Director

Page 6 PFLAG Buffalo/Niagara

Is it time to renew your PFLAG membership?

Lifetime Membership Membership ….........$250

Sponsoring Membership ……….……….. $100 (Business Card Advertisement ($100 per year)

Supporting Membership .......................... $50

Household Membership …………………. $30

Make checks payable to PFLAG Buffalo/Niagara and mail to: P.O. Box 617 Buffalo, NY 14207

PFLAG Buffalo/Niagara is a non-profit 501(c)3 and donations are tax-deductible.

Please note that paid membership is not needed to attend sharing meetings.

PFLAG Buffalo-Niagara, is a non-profit, all volunteer, community-based organization

not affiliated with any ethnic, religious, economic or political group. Membership is

open to all. PFLAG membership lists are kept confidential.

We hope you like reading these newsletter articles, we also share current articles on

our Facebook page. Please consider “liking” us on Facebook and reading articles all

month long at www.facebook.com/pflag.niagara