Continuing Virtual PFLAG Alamance Zoom Meetings
Tuesday, December 8, at 7:00 p.m.
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Since local in person meetings are still not possible due to the Covid 19 Restrictions, we are pleased to continue our monthly ZOOM meetings each 2nd Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm. A good number have been joining in, finding that just seeing and hearing friendly, accepting faces and voices can be encouraging.
If you wish to join in and haven't been with us before, just call (336-584-8722) or email (info@pflagalamance.org), giving us your FIRST name and your email address and we will send you an invitation. This allows us to maintain secure meetings and confidentiality. Give it a try next Tuesday.
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Something to Think About
by Cindy Davis
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I was zooming with a friend on the day after Thanksgiving when she asked me what I was grateful for. My immediate response was a sigh. And I thought – “Oh, no. I’m tired of this question.” I know what I’m not grateful for, and I could easily offer up a lengthy discourse on the how’s and why’s of my unfortunate life predicament. But thankfully, (there’s that synonym for grateful) I realized that my friend was being kind by inviting me to focus on the positive. And for her sake, I wanted to at least try. Though I’ll tell you, it wasn’t easy.
With some effort, what seemed like unoriginal ideas rose to the surface: My partner and I were getting along well, which was sometimes a chore due to how much time we spend together due to the pandemic. Being home for endless hours, and numerous attempts to find something interesting to stream on television, we settled on The Komenski Method, on Netflix. Michael Douglas plays an acting teacher in LA, which is really a backdrop (no pun intended) for dealing with issues of addiction, grief, being gay, and the human condition. The writing is brilliant and we laugh out loud on a regular basis. I find it comforting these days, to have a reliable source of entertainment at my disposal. I am certainly grateful for that.
We’ve been picking up groceries for our neighbor, since she is having some health issues right now. We take the proper precautions and don’t linger, but the visits are satisfying nonetheless. My family and I have been zooming every other week, and often find ourselves yakking for over two hours. These meetings have replaced long distance phone calls and offer up a far more intimate connection. I am reading more. I have learned to smile with my eyes because my mask prevents me from using my lips. Ultimately, I am grateful to my friend for asking me what I am grateful for! I was reminded that unoriginal doesn’t mean small. And that gratitude, well, we can never have too much of it.
Cindy Davis is a retired Licensed Professional Counselor.
She was an advice columnist for the Times-News, and is also a PFLAG Board Member.
Watch for Cindy's column each month on our Newsletter
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Holiday Bonus from PFLAG National . . . |
We're excited to share this holiday offering from our friends at Hallmark Channel: The Christmas House. It tells the story of Mitchell family matriarch Phylis and patriarch Bill, who have summoned their two grown sons – TV star Mike Mitchell and Brandon Mitchell – home for the holidays. It is their hope that bringing the family together to recreate the Christmas house will help them find resolution and make a memorable holiday for the entire family and community. As Brandon and his husband Jake make the trip home, they are anxiously awaiting a call about the adoption of their first child. Meanwhile, Mike reconnects with Andi, his high school sweetheart. Starring Robert Buckley, Ana Ayora, Treat Williams, Sharon Lawrence, Jonathan Bennett, Brad Harder, and Mattia Castrillo, this is a fun story for PFLAGers everywhere to enjoy!
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Meet Oklahoma's Mauree Turner, America's first nonbinary state legislator
Turner, 27, made history in one of deep red Oklahoma's most liberal districts. They plan to focus on criminal justice reform, health care and education.
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From NBC OUT
Nov. 22, 2020
By Kristi Eaton
TULSA, Okla. — Mauree Turner made history this month by becoming the country's first openly nonbinary state legislator. Turner, 27, was elected to represent District 88 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Nov. 3 with more than 70 percent of the vote and assumed office last week. Turner is also thought to be the first Muslim lawmaker to serve in the Oklahoma Legislature.
Turner, who uses both they/them and she/her pronouns, grew up in Ardmore, a city of 25,000 people that sits smack in between Oklahoma City to the north and Dallas to the south. Turner said their childhood was relatively idealistic: They had a supportive and involved mother and grew up singing in the choir and participating in their school band. They attended college at Oklahoma State University and then spent time organizing for various civil rights projects in Oklahoma, including an American Civil Liberties Union criminal justice reform campaign.
"While I never wanted to be in politics in this aspect, community organizing is always about answering a call to action, and that's what my community was doing," Turner said.
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OK, not this year . . .
But we've included this as a reminder of last year's Holiday Potluck that brought us together in December. We experienced some of your finest cooking, gathered around the tables to share good conversation and wonderful food.
Times like these are a reminder of what PFLAG can mean for those of us who share as LGBTQ community members. Hopefully, it won't be many months before we can resume our in-person meetings, share stories, meet new members and and maybe even food .
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ABOUT PFLAG . . . did you know this?
Founded in 1973 after the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the nation's largest family and ally organization.
PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. With over 400 chapters and 200,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas across America, PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed.
This vast grassroots network is cultivated, resourced, and serviced by the staff of PFLAG National, the National Board of Directors, and the all-volunteer Regional Directors Council.
PFLAG has a wonderful history and important ongoing programs to help with our goals of support, education and advocacy. We hope you will acquaint yourself with our organization.
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Email
info@pflagalamance.org
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P.O. Box 623,
Elon, NC 27244
Phone Number:
+1 336-584-8722
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