2011 AUGUST NEWSLETTER

At its July meeting, OCC PFLAG began its study of transgender issues with the excellent film, “Faces & Facets of Transgender Experience,” produced by the Boulder, CO PFLAG chapter. Interviews with many transgender children and adults and their families put faces and stories with the relatively rare experience of our transgender friends.

Our speaker in August was The Rev. David Weekley, a Methodist pastor from Portland, has been an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church since 1984. He is also a Transgender man. He quietly served his congregations for twenty-eight years before sharing his story and spiritual journey with his congregation, denomination, and the world – the story of a Christian, an ordained minister, a loving husband and father. His book, In From The Wilderness, challenges Christians and all spiritual seekers to consider the truth of gender identity and sexual orientation as God given-gifts to be celebrated and embraced among all other gifts.

We look forward to future meetings with other transgender guest speakers and discussions. Resources for transgender individuals are scarce in rural areas, so our PFLAG chapter works to help connect members and friends to organizations with expertise and sensitivity to their needs.

2011 JULY NEWSLETTER

400 Signatures in Lincoln County!

Hope you’ve seen our Marriage Equality ad with almost 400 names in the July 1 issue of Oregon Coast Today–it’s been very exciting to see it in print and to share it with lots of people. We’re making a poster of the ad which will be displayed around the county–and we can add more names before it’s printed. If your name is not yet on the ad–please send an email to pflagocc@gmail.com by July 11 and we’ll add it before printing the posters. PFLAG Ad 070111

Article & Editorial in July 3 Oregonian

Did you see the article in the July 3 Oregonian about three gay couples with church ties who support marriage equality–and the editorial that urges churches to take a leading role in the struggle for equality? Here’s the link: http://www.oregonlive.com/O/index.ssf/2011/07/same_sex_couples_who_find_marr.html

Gay Soldier’s Family Supports Marriage Equality

Here’s an inspiring article from CNN about a gay soldier and his family’s dedication to marriage equality–my favorite Fourth of July story this year!

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-07-02/us/gay.soldier.andrew.wilfahrt_1_gay-soldier-gay-rights-combat-outpost?_s=PM:US

2011 JUNE NEWSLETTER

Saturday, June 18 was Pink Dot Day in Singapore–celebrating Freedom to Love! Watch, then share this short video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrIB5Ojbqns&feature=related AARP has devoted a page to the LGBT community – this is progress! http://www.aarp.org/relationships/friends-family/aarp-pride.html?cmp=RDRCT-PRID_MAY10_011 And an article about supporting LGBT children – http://www.aarp.org/relationships/family/info-03-2011/support_gay_children.html Save these dates…. Mon. June 27 FREE HIV/AIDS Testing All Day at Health Dept. on Nye St. National HIV/AIDS Testing Day Wed. June 29 7 PM at St. Stephen’s Church in Newport Dessert Potluck to celebrate our Marriage Equality newspaper ad and showing of film, “Edie & Thea”, the story of a 40 year engagement. Sat. July 9 PFLAG Table at Newport Saturday Market Sign up for a shift–8:15 to 10:30 or 10:30 to 1:15 Wed. July 13 7 PM at St. Stephen’s Church in Newport PFLAG Meeting Transgender Faces and Facets film by Boulder PFLAG Chapter Posted in Coming Up, LGBT in Lincoln County, LGBT in US, LGBT International, LGBT Seniors, Marriage Equality

What’s Coming Up this Summer? Oregon Central Coast PFLAG Upcoming Events, Summer 2011 June 8 PFLAG Meeting Marc Adams, Heartstrong Heartstrong’s mission is to provide information, support and hope to LGBT students in religious high schools and colleges who have no role models or adult encouragement. June 11 PFLAG Table at Newport Saturday Market Information table staffed by PFLAG members and volunteers from Lincoln County’s Welcoming Churches June 24 PFLAG’s Marriage Equality Ad in Newport News-Times PFLAG members have collected over 300 signatures of those who support Marriage Equality to be published during “Wedding Month” July 9 PFLAG Table at Newport Saturday Market Information table staffed by PFLAG members and volunteers from Lincoln County’s Welcoming Churches July 13 PFLAG Meeting Transgender Faces & Facets Beginning our community information and discussion about the least common and most misunderstood aspect of gender identity with a film produced by the Boulder PFLAG Chapter August 10 PFLAG Meeting Transgender Speaker David Weekley, Methodist Clergyman from Portland will be guest speaker August 13 PFLAG Table at Newport Saturday Market Information table staffed by PFLAG members and volunteers from Lincoln County’s Welcoming Churches August 21 PFLAG Annual Family Picnic 1-4 PM at Beaver Creek Park, Newport