Friend, it’s hard to believe it is March. Check out the events below, as well as the link for PFLAG SDC Scholarships, deadline March 21st.
Moving Beyond Family Struggles Summit
From March 2-5 Family Support Resources, an organization dedicated to helping transform the lives of all people suffering from family estrangement, is offering a four-day free online event, the Moving Beyond Family Struggles summit. The summit is for anyone affected by family estrangement, including individuals and first responders, and includes speakers and topics specifically geared toward the LGBTQ+ community. Each day’s sessions begin at 9 a.m. PST and are live for 24 hours. Register for free at https://familysupportresources.com/mbfssummit2022/
There’s Still Time to Apply for Scholarships💲
The March 21st deadline to apply for the 2022 PFLAG SDC Scholarships is approaching. Please help us advertise by sharing on social media using the link below or by contacting LGBTQ+ young people you know directly who could use extra money for college.
Scholarships are available to San Diego County LGBTQ+ high school seniors and full-time undergraduate/graduate students who are established residents of San Diego County. Half-time applicants will be considered with an explanation of the circumstances that prevents them 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. Last year was the first year we awarded a scholarship to a recipient in the Fine and Applied Arts field. 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 $2000.
The application, requirements, and other scholarship-related info are all on our website at www.pflag.com/scholarships.
🏳️⚧️ 2022 U.S. Trans Survey 🏳️⚧️
The survey was delayed until sometime in March; however, you can pre-register using the link below. More info will be posted on our Facebook page.
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, and also includes allies of the trans community. 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 March.
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.
✊Transgender Day of Empowerment
The Transgender Day of Empowerment will be held virtually on Friday, April 8 from 6:00-8:00 pm.
The event will include trans speakers, community awards, and the announcement of the 8th Annual Tracie Jada O’Brien Transgender Student Scholarship recipients!
For more information, contact info@sdpride.org.
It’s Not Too Early for Baseball! ⚾️
San Diego Pride’s Out at the Park will be held on Friday, May 6 as the Padres take on the Marlins at 6:40 pm. If anyone is interested in going as a group, please contact scohenrichards@pflag.com.
Tickets are $35 and will be discounted if we purchase 10 or more tickets. There is a “Tailgate Party” happy hour event in SD Pride’s decked-out space from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in Gallagher Square (formerly Park in the Park). Note that food and drinks are not included in the ticket price. Besides the pre-game gathering, the ticket price includes a seat in Pride’s section, a commemorative Out at the Park Padres hat, and a $10 donation to San Diego Pride.
Way To Go, Amy!
Amy Schneider’s incredible Jeopardy! run came to an end after 40 wins. Although people were beside themselves to see her head off into the sunset, she is taking $1,382,800 in winnings with her. Schneider confirmed that she briefly cried after losing her 41st game, but “[i]t wasn’t just a feeling of sadness, there was a sense of relief.”
Schneider, who’s the winningest woman in the show’s history, is the first openly trans person to qualify for the Tournament of Champions. She also revealed a semi-strategic decision that she made along the way, choosing how she wanted to sound on TV. In the end, Schneider went with what felt right for her, partially because she wanted to focus on her gameplay and partially because she wanted to send a message to trans women.
“I’ve got a more feminine voice when I really want to, and I’d sort of been planning on using that voice on TV,” she said. But she ultimately decided that consciously altering her voice could affect her gameplay and chose to speak in her usual register. She’s proud of that decision. As she said said, “Trans women watching can see me with my voice as it is and see me being OK with it.”
Amy Schneider speaks to Good Morning America about being on tv as her true self, “… being a smart confident woman doing something super-normal like being on Jeopardy.”
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.
😍 Thank You To Our Donors! 😍
Thanks to the following who have donated to our general fund since last newsletter:
L&S Rosenberg Family Foundation
In addition, the following individuals donate monthly to PFLAG San Diego County. A monthly donation helps provide predictable sources of funding for our programs and scholarships and we appreciate it very much!
Anna Covici
Lonnie Brunini
Maureen Steiner
Michael Wasilewski
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+.
