Friend, here at PFLAG San Diego County we love our members and our community and hope it shows. In this Valentine’s Day month, we hope you find ways to show some love to the special people in your life. You can help PFLAG SDC spread the love by sharing this newsletter, joining us as a member, or participating in one of the offerings listed this month.
Memberships expired on December 31, but it’s not too late to renew or become a member for the first time. Your membership allows us to continue our work as allies for the LGBTQ+ community. We provide support, education, and advocacy for members of the community and their friends and families. Last year we provided $35,000 in college scholarships to LGBTQ+ students and plan to add scholarships for accredited trade or vocational schools this year. We need you! Please sign up today. And thank you to everyone who became a new member or renewed their membership last month!
Meet Your PFLAG SDC Board
Presenting the 2022-2023 PFLAG San Diego County Board of Directors: President: Tiffany Gonzalez (top left), Vice President: Annette Ottone (top right), Secretary: Sherry Cohen-Richards (bottom left), Treasurer: Nancy Colbert (bottom right). Members at large are: Henry Babcock, Carina Kazmierowicz, Bill Luna, Jeri Nicholas, Ina Price, Elizabeth Santillanez, Terrie Vorono.
PFLAG Connects: Communities — Online Support Groups For Latino, Black/African-American, and AAPI Communities
PFLAG Connects: Communities is the loving brainchild of PFLAG National. The goal is to connect people with shared experiences each month in virtual support meetings. The first endeavors are to gather people of Latino, Black/African-American, and Asian-American & Pacific Islander backgrounds to connect in a safe online environment so that questions can be asked/answered and support received from others who have been through similar experiences. The information for future meeting dates and times are on PFLAG National’s website at https://pflag.org/connects/communities.
Find more information about PFLAG Connects: Communities, you may subscribe to their newsletter: https://pflag.salsalabs.org/signup/index.html
In the January newsletter, there was information regarding PFLAG Connects: AAPI Community. The next meeting is on Saturday, February 5 at 3:00 pm PT. You can register using the link below for PFLAG Connects.
(The next PFLAG San Diego County AAPI meeting is Sunday, February 13 at 3:00 pm. See Support Groups info at the end of the newsletter)
PFLAG Connects: Latino Community. These virtual meetings are open to parents, family members, and members of the LGBTQ+ community who are Latino. Each meeting will be led by members of the Latino community who will guide you in receiving support, giving support, and finding resources to help you, your family, and your community. If interested in attending, please register using the link below. The meeting is Thursday, February 3 at 6:00 pm PT.
PFLAG Connects: Black/African American Community: These virtual meetings are open to parents, family members, and members of the LGBTQ+ community who are Black/African-American. Each meeting will be led by members of the Black/African-American community who will guide you in receiving support, giving support, and finding resources to help you, your family, and your community.
If you know someone who would benefit from these meetings, please share this newsletter with them. Please register to attend with the link below. The meeting is Tuesday, February 8 at 6:00 pm PT.
Art Of Pride: Artist Reception
Please join San Diego Pride as they host a reception for local artists. The event is February 11 from 6-8 p.m. at San Diego Pride, 3620 30th Street, San Diego. Artists include Nicole Verdes (President of Lambda Archives), Raymond Hitchcock, Gini Mann-Deibert, Aries Tjhin, Tom Tirado, Erik Benson, and John Keasler.
2022 U.S. Trans Survey 🏳️⚧️
The U.S. Trans Survey (USTS) is the largest survey of trans people in the United States. The USTS documents the lives and experiences of trans people in the U.S. and U.S. territories. The request is for all trans people ages 16 and up to complete. It’s inclusive of people of all trans identities, including binary and nonbinary trans identities. It’s no secret that transgender people face discrimination and violence throughout society, from their family growing up, in school, at work, by homeless shelters, by doctors, in emergency rooms, before judges, by landlords, and police officers.
Go to https://www.ustranssurvey.org, use the button below, or look for the link on our Facebook page and website in early February.
The USTS is the main source of data about trans people for the media, educators, policymakers, and the general public, covering health, employment, income, the criminal justice system, etc. Most importantly, is that the reports have been a vital resource, including the reports on the experiences of people of color and reports by state.
The last time the survey was taken, in 2015, nearly 28,000 trans people responded, making it the largest survey of trans people in the U.S. A lot has happened since then – and it’s time to conduct the USTS again in 2022.
More than ever, it’s important to ensure that trans voices will shape the future.
This survey will help USTS continue to be the largest, most diverse sample across all identities. Please spread the word to ensure that people of color, older people, those who live in rural areas, immigrants, Spanish speakers, and those who are HIV+ hear about the survey.
Spread The Word About PFLAG SDC 2022 Scholarships
Including new scholarships for fine and applied arts and community college
We are proud that we are in our 25th year of offering scholarships to LGBTQ students who reside in San Diego County. In 1999, Mayor Todd Gloria was a recipient of one of two scholarships awarded that year. The application, requirements, and other scholarship-related info are on our web site: www.pflag.com/scholarships. We are awarding 16 scholarships; the deadline to apply is Monday, March 21, 2022.
The scholarships are open to LGBTQ high school seniors, full-time undergraduate, and graduate students who meet the criteria. We will consider half-time students with an explanation of the circumstances that prevents the applicant from attending full-time. The scholarships will be awarded virtually on June 4, 2022.
In 2021, we awarded a record 14 scholarships totaling $35,000. Two out of the 14 are specifically designated for community college students. New this year, we are offering two scholarships to students who feel their career choices will be better met at a recognized vocational program or accredited trade school. The goal of these scholarships is to either prepare students for employment in current, emerging occupations, or establish a strong foundation for further studies. The minimum amount for all scholarships is $2,000.
We are seeking scholarship donations; the goal is to maximize the amounts of the scholarships and to award more scholarships. You may donate any time: www.pflagsdc.org/support-our-students and either donate to the General Scholarship Fund or a specific scholarship. Your support ensures that LGBTQ students in our community are given opportunities to continue their education. We are maintaining our commitment that 100% of funds donated for scholarships goes to students. All donations are 100% tax deductible (tax ID# 33-0512868).
For more information, email scholarships@pflag.com.
You are not alone!
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ☎️
The LGBTQ+ community is diverse and made up of different experiences, identities, and challenges. However, members of the community are disproportionately at risk for suicide and other mental health struggles. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has information and resources to help support people who identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/lgbtq/
The Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. They are committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.
PFLAG SDC President Tiffany Gonzalez and South Bay Pride Executive Director Joe Burke chatting with other San Diego Pride grant recipients at the mixer held late last year. It was wonderful to be able to represent PFLAG SDC at an in-person event. A big thank you to San Diego Pride for the mixer and grant.
😍 Thank You To Our Donors! 😍
Thanks to the following who have donated to our general fund since last newsletter:
Brooke Ashworth
Terrie Billuni
Gail Doore
Brent Garduno
Nancy Gosnell
Corie Julius
Jennifer King
Jeri Nicolas
Annette Ottone
Remo Ottone
William Patten
Eva Stjernfeldt
MaryLou Strong
Jay and Jackie Trischman
Phyllis Van Wanseele
Terrie Vorono
PFLAG T-Shirts for Sale!
Make a fashion statement! For sale are PFLAG San Diego County 100% cotton T-shirts. It’s a mauve shirt with the PFLAG SDC logo on the back and a heart with the word “family” in different languages on the upper right on the front. Shirts can be purchased for $10 each. Sizes are Small through X-Large. To purchase, please contact scohenrichards@pflag.com.
Support Groups
❗️Note: some support group information has changed since last month
Support groups will continue to meet virtually until further notice. Check individual group for details. We encourage you to contact your support group facilitator at any time, as they will remain excellent resources for information. The support group locations, dates, and times will continue to be posted on the PFLAG San Diego County Facebook page. You can join in any of the digital meetings. For Zoom links, contact each support group.
Do You Shop On Amazon?
If you have an account with Amazon, you can help our chapter every time you shop. Go to smile.Amazon.com and search for PFLAG San Diego County. For every purchase, our chapter will receive .05% of the dollar amount of the order. This may not sound like a lot, but it adds up. So turn your Amazon habit into support for PFLAG!
Our Vision
PFLAG envisions a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Our Mission
By meeting people where they are and collaborating with others, PFLAG realizes its vision through: Support for families, allies and people who are LGBTQ+; Education for ourselves and others about the unique issues and challenges facing people who are LGBTQ+; Advocacy in our communities to change attitudes and create policies and laws that achieve full equality for people who are LGBTQ+.
