Notes - Pacific Northwest PFLAG Conference Call - January 5, 2010

On the call were Caesar Hernandez from PFLAG National; Terri Noble from
Oregon State Council; David Bentley from Friday Harbor, WA; Rosemary Ford
from Bellevue, WA; Mary Ann Nelson from Lower Columbia, WA; Gabi & Alec
Clayton from Olympia, WA; Kathy Reim from Skagit County, WA; Barbara
Clark-Elliott from Seattle, WA; Barbara Aitken from Vancouver, WA; and
Matt from Bellingham, WA.

REMINDERS:

Chapter Leaders may contact Kathy Reim with questions and ideas by
email at <kreim@earthlink.net> or by phone at 360-856-4676.

Our Regional Web Site is http://www.pnwpflag.org. Be sure to send info
on upcoming meetings and events to Terry Rhines <Trhineswa@aol.com> so
that he can get the info on our state web site for others to see. Also
be sure to check the site for interesting events in other communities.

CALL AGENDA ITEMS THIS MONTH:

1.  Update on National Happenings

Caesar Hernandez reported that there are three major issues on the
horizon nationally.
        PROPOSITION 8 TRIAL:  The trial challenging Prop 8 begins next
week. It will be asserted that Prop 8 denies couples the right to marry.
The argument will then be presented that the state doesn't prevent
couples from marrying, it only prevents them from marrying persons of
the same sex. The counter argument will be that civil unions in California
are not a legal substitute for marriage. Many observers doubt that the
trial will be successful. The issue may have to go to voters in 2012.
        LGBT HEALTH:  Studies show that LGBT folks are at higher risk
for health issues than the general population, especially for alcoholism,
drug abuse, and HIV/AIDS. Possible causes for this higher risk include
lack of insurance and higher stress due to harassment.
        MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN IOWA:  Due to the requirements for passing a
constitutional amendment, marriage equality in Iowa is safe until at least
2014. There are several steps each with time requirements necessary to
pass an amendment.

Caesar also stated that he is still gathering information from Brooke
Smith regarding liability insurance for chapters. There may be the
possibility of covering all chapters through a state council. They are
checking with the Illinois State Council to see how they handle their
insurance.

This issue was brought up last month because some chapters are facing
potential loss of prospective board members who won't serve without
board and officers insurance which generally costs about $1000 per year.
There is also some question about whether there is a difference in
getting state-wide insurance for chapters that have their 501(C)3 status
through National PFLAG and those who have their own independent 501(C)3
status. More discussion of this issue will take place on a future call
where more information has been gathered.

2.  Chapter Updates (including Goals for 2010)

Friday Harbor, WA -- David Bentley said that the only goal in his chapter
at this time is a concert by Captain Smarty Pants (a sub-group of the
Seattle Men's Chorus) at the San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday,
March 20. The chapter is underwriting the concert.

Bellingham, WA -- Matt reported that July 7-10 is the 10th Anniversary
Pride Event in Bellingham. His chapter wants to be more involved in
Pride. They are also looking for a new president for the chapter.

Vancouver, WA -- Barbara Aitken shared that her chapter is showing the
movie "Straight Laced" at their next meeting, and may show it publicly
later in the year. They would like to show it at some schools since the
movie is focused on high school students.

Skagit County, WA -- Kathy Reim reported that their chapter is being
supportive of the 3rd Annual Over the Rainbow Festival at a local high
school. The festival is put on by the local GSA and their teachers. On
that Friday night  there will be a showing the movie "Hannah Free" at
the Lincoln Theater. This movie is about GLBT elder rights. On Saturday
the Festival will have several workshops for attendees. Her chapter's
focus in 2010 is Trans issues.

Seattle, WA -- Barb Clark-Elliott told us that February 20 is the
Seattle Board Retreat. They are going to start a quarterly event
separate from their monthly support meetings. These events will have
speakers, panels, and other activities so that the public can come
and learn about PFLAG issues without having to attend a support
meeting. She also said that on January 18 her chapter will be at
the GSA Summit. They are working now with youth in the South End.

Olympia -- The Claytons shared that their chapter is still working on
their diversity project. They will screen the movie "Brother Outsider"
on Bayard Rutstein for Black History Month in February. They will also
have resources for LGBT African Americans available at the screening.
They also screened the movie "Straight Laced" and highly recommended
it to other chapters. Their chapter also has several new board members.

Bellevue, WA -- Rosemary Ford reported that her chapter is hoping to
fund another scholarship or two through the Pride Foundation. They will
also have some of their founding members come to a meeting to tell about
what it was like in the beginning. At another meeting, a King County
Sheriff's Deputy and her domestic partner tell their stories. Rosemary
also said that the chapter was very successful with wrapping gifts at
the Barnes & Noble bookstore. They displayed a PFLAG sign while they
 wrapped gifts.

Lower Columbia -- Mary Ann Nelson shared that her chapter will have
another storytelling meeting in January. This will be like the October,
2008 meeting which featured the story telling information from "Hearts
on Fire." Their board meets this month to plan 2010.

Oregon State Council -- Teri Noble reported on the work of her council
in the coming year. New chapter development will include efforts using
grant money to reach families of color. They will also work with Basic
Rights Oregon, the Community of Welcoming Churches, and some rural
organizations to develop a chapter on the North Coast  and Astoria area.
They hope to do chapter development and discussion in preparation for a
possible 2012 campaign regarding marriage equality. Her council is also
working the State Schools Association to educate schools about bullying
laws. PFLAG presentations will include a group of lawyers who will talk
about laws regarding bullying, a group of parents who will share their
family experiences with bullying, and some counselors who will speak to
how bullying effects victims.

3.  Publicity Discussion
        Kathy Reim reported that on a recent trip she saw ads in Bend,
OR in their alternative newspapers. She suggested that all chapters
consider placing ads in their community alternative papers. She pointed
out that this might be a good job for a new chapter member who wants a
small job or to learn about publicity. Kathy encouraged us to give the
usual details about time, place, etc., but also suggested that we add
a line or two that give a warm fuzzy feeling to the ad.
        Matt said that the Bellingham chapter uses ads in local
alternative papers. He added that they've also gotten good publicity
by marching in mainstream parades in the community, like the Sea to
Ski Parade.
        Barb Clark-Elliott shared that her chapter's support meetings
are  advertised in the Seattle Gay News classified ads. They also have
a chapter member who contacts the smaller community newspapers with
information on meetings. In addition, chapter members are getting
involved in government commissions and mainstream community events as
well as the Greater Seattle Business Association.
        Gabi and Alec Clayton talked about using their web site and
newsletter. Because the Olympia chapter's newsletter is published every
other month, Alec puts out and "Alert List" on the alternate months.
This list alerts PFLAG members and allies of upcoming events of interest.
They also put PFLAG events on community calendars as well as calendars
of ally groups.
        Rosemary Ford stated that the Bellevue chapter puts ads in
local papers. However she also spoke to the importance of asking new
people who come to meetings and events how they found PFLAG. This can
help chapters learn which publicity seems to be most effective over time.
        Teri Noble said that many chapters in small communities in Oregon
post notices at churches and libraries as well as social networking and
email to contact GSA chapters and leaders. Some Oregon chapters have also
made an effort to get people to sign up for the next three newsletters
via email without making a full commitment to PFLAG. She also commented
that employee assistance programs need current information for PFLAG
chapters and services in order to make referrals.
        It was also pointed out that local community colleges and
universities can, and often will, help publicize PFLAG events. When
approaching these schools, we should not forget that they have student
newspapers and radio stations.
        Finally, Kathy Reim reminded us about 211, the national
Volunteers of America inquiry line for people looking for resources
in a community. This is mostly done online. If PFLAG chapters sign up,
they get referrals for their community under headings like LGBT Social
Services, GLBT Support, etc. This often becomes a good way to reach
parents needing resources.

4.  Miscellaneous Comments
        In addition to the movies talked about during chapter updates
above, the movie "Southern Comfort" was recommended as a good
transgender film that is especially good for people who "don't get it."
Also, the National Geographic program called "Sex, Lies, and Gender"
was recommended as a good resource covering a range of issues
including transgender and intersex.

5.  Our next conference call will be at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2.
Be sure to mark your calendars now and remember to join us or to find a
substitute if you cannot attend.