Yesterday, I was able to get up to Butler PA for the Rainbow Community Picnic, held out at Alameda Park.  It was an awesome time with a great group of people. The picnic was sponsored by the Persad Center’s Community Safe Zone Project, and the Butler County PFLAG. There were 70-75 people there, and I think it would be fair to say that a good time was had by all.

Joe Tomlinson has been a major force behind getting the Butler PFLAG group going, and there are 2 other officers who are also working tirelessly to be a successful PFLAG chapter, Sabrina Schnur and James Ronald. I’ve been up to the Butler PFLAG meeting a few times, and each time I’m amazed at the wonderful community of folks who are growing that meeting. The Butler group is also on Facebook.

Persad’s Community Safe Zone Project is designed to help reduce discrimination and hate crimes in the five counties that surround Allegheny County, and they have already been active in several of these outlying counties.

I remember first learning about PFLAG, many years ago, when I was a college student (1978), and PFLAG seemed predominately to be a support group for the parents and friends of gay, and lesbian kids. But today, the strategic goals of the organization go much farther than that. I’m sure that being supportive to parents is still a central value to participation, but their goals cover many bases:

One. Build the capacity of our organization at every level so that we may have all the resources, in the form of information, people and funding, necessary to move forward in our work with the greatest possible effect.

Two. Create a world in which our young people may grow up and be educated with freedom from fear of violence, bullying and other forms of discrimination, regardless of their real or perceived gender identity or sexual orientation or that of their families.

Three. Make our vision and our message accessible to the broadest range of ethnic and cultural communities, ending the isolation of families with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender family members within those communities.

Four. Work toward full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons within their chosen communities of faith.

Five. Create a society in which all LGBT persons may openly and safely pursue the career path of their choice, and may be valued and encouraged to grow to their full potential in the workplace.

Six. Create a society in which all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons may enjoy, in every aspect of their lives, full civil and legal equality and may participate fully in all the rights, privileges and obligations of full citizenship in this country.

We welcome the participation and support of all who share in our Vision and Mission and who hope to realize our goals.

If you read my blog regularly, you know that issue advocacy is my big deal. I want to see every Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or friendly ally meeting with their elected officials, and creating a dialogue about why equal rights matter for the LGBTQ community. With the intended goal that legislators who know members of the GLBTQ community, and who see why rights matter will vote for full equality. PFLAG is also concerned with advocacy, but I think there is another aspect to what PFLAG accomplishes which may be even more far reaching, and yesterday’s picnic is a great example of that. No matter what rights we do or don’t have, we live our lives, form relationships, friendships and networks. We have families and create families. We work, and live our lives, and are there for each other when we are needed. We can’t wait for full legal protections and rights before we live full lives! We have to deal with things as they are, while at the same time pushing for change and full equality. Connecting and being part of a larger community can help make that happen, and can be the single most useful support system of friends and loved ones. I also think it is crucial that PFLAG and groups like it exist, especially in areas all across Pennsylvania. As our youth feel comfortable coming out earlier, there needs to be this sense of community and support where diversity is the norm, and everyone is welcome.

So contrats to Persad and Butler PFLAG on a successful picnic and for all the hard work you are doing building a strong community! To find a PFLAG group in your area, use the PFLAG website.