PFLAG Alamance

                   Parents, families, friends and allies

                        United with LGBTQ people

                                  To move equality forward

 

PO Box 623                 Elon, NC  27244              336-584-8722

 

 www.pflagalamance.org  

                                              Facebook:  pflagalamance 

 email:  info@pflagalamance.orgh
 A DIFFERENT WAY FOR PFLAG ALAMANCE PEOPLE TO MEET

All of us are discovering new ways to reach out to those persons who are important in our lives. That may include family members, friends, co-workers or church friends. One way that many of have discovered (already known to a great many young people) is a computer or cell phone based application called ZOOM. it allows video and/or audio connections for sharing information.

Many of you may already have an account, available at no cost online, and some have asked if we could have a ZOOM PFLAG meeting on our regular night of April 14. Pete, Beth and I have explored how this might work and feel it's worth a try.

If you have a ZOOM account and would be interested in joining the 7:00 p.m. meeting on April 14, you are invited.    Just click:
You might have to copy and paste tmeeting: https://zoom.us/j/155833596 

Since ZOOM has time limits for most of us, we will try to keep this trial session within the 30-40 minutes alllowed.  But bring you concerns, questions and discoveries with you.

For many of us, PFLAG meetings are an  important part of our monthly life that we miss very much. We don't know how long we are going to be experiencing stay-at-home restrictions, so this might be a way to bring your PFLAG friends back into your life.  


Not sure you can make ZOOM work for you.  Perhaps we can offer some help.  Contact by email: info@pflagalamance.org

An article from The Hill . . .

FDA loosens restrictions on gay men donating blood amid pandemic 

BY NATHANIEL WEIXEL - 04/02/20 12:35 PM EDT

 
The federal government is loosening restrictions on blood donations from gay and bisexual men in light of a blood shortage brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
In revised guidelines published Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended a three-month deferral for men who have sex with men. The previous policy was a full year ban.

The new guidelines will remain in place throughout the pandemic and will be updated to incorporate public comment within 60 days of the emergency being lifted.

According to the FDA, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused "unprecedented challenges" to the national blood supply.

Donor centers have experienced a dramatic reduction in donations due to the implementation of social distancing and the cancellation of blood drives.



Trevor Project message . . .

HOW LGBTQ YOUTH CAN COPE WITH ANXIETY AND STRESS DURING COVID-19



At The Trevor Project, we know that LGBTQ youth are faced with additional pressures in the face COVID-19. In addition to social distancing, isolation and potential quarantine, you may be either in close quarters with family members with whom you have had conflict based on your identity, or find yourself separated from family members/loved ones who have been a support to you in the past. In addition, you might be feeling resentment or anger towards people in your life who haven't stepped up in the face of a national health crisis. In LGBTQ communities, "chosen family" often play a more significant role in your life than biological family, and you may find yourself separated from them and worried about their health - in addition to your own!
We want to emphasize that feeling stress and anxiety is a normal reaction to what is happening in the world right now. Some of the young people reaching out to our crisis services have been reporting a wide range of emotions, most of which feel intense and unmanageable. Some of these emotions include:
  • Anxiety. LGBTQ youth are feeling anxiety about their own health, as well as about family members, money, when this will end, and leaving the house to get supplies. The list is very long and it is very normal to be feeling this way.
  • Anger/resentment. Some people are feeling anger about having to stay with family members with whom they have difficult relationships, and anger at not having family members who have stepped up to support them. Other folks are feeling anger at the world in general and lack of access to resources.
  • Restless. There is a sense of not being able to do anything and people are feeling trapped. You can't hang out, take risks, or even engage in behaviors that might curb your feeling of restlessness. Some folks might consider using substances to curb this feeling of restlessness and boredom.
  • Depression. You might be feeling hopeless about the world and about your future. There is a feeling of loss from the activities that should be happening but aren't, and a lack of control over yourself and your future.
  • Sadness. This is different from depression. Stressful times like these may highlight relationships in your life that are difficult or distant. This can cause increased sadness and feelings of loss.
If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, contact The Trevor Project's TrevorLifeline 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at www.TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting START to 678678.

 

 An interesting link you might like to explore . . .

 

 

Just FYI    But you might find usefu information. 

 

And remember....when you no longer feel you need PFLAG, PFLAG needs you! There are people out there who need a supportive friend.