In this issue: November Meeting, New Books & Transgender Awareness Month

November Meeting: Tuesday, November 26, 7-8:30 pm

For our November meeting, we will focus on offering confidential support in small groups at our usual location, the Campbell Room at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Avenue in Berkeley (look for the PFLAG banner). Given the proximity to Thanksgiving, it will be a shorter meeting without a program, but we want to offer the opportunity to gather and support each other for those who are available.

Masks are optional. We ask that you not attend if you are feeling unwell or if you've been in contact with anyone who is unwell.

Between meetings, our board is still here to connect with you one-on-one. Email pflagoeb@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail at 510-562-7692 and we will call you back.

Legal Rights of LGBTQ Students in K-12 Public Schools

For those of us with LGBTQ+ children in California K-12 public schools, here is information about school children’s legal rights from the ACLU of Southern California. Thank you to last month's featured speakers Rosina Keren and Corey Cohen, who coordinate mental health services for two East Bay school districts, for sharing this information and so much more! 

Please Support Our PFLAG Chapter!

Your $30 PFLAG Oakland/East Bay annual membership allows us to compensate our speakers, host our website, and provide conference scholarships. You can submit dues online or by check payable to PFLAG Oakland/East Bay and mailed to P.O. Box 21195, Oakland, California 94620. Please renew or join by December 31. Thank you for giving back!

New books in our PFLAG library!



We've added six exciting new titles to our PFLAG library, available to attendees at any of our meetings.

• All the Things They Said We Couldn't Have by T.C. Oakes-Monger: short essays celebrating trans joy
• Authentic Selves by Peggy Gillespie: rich photos and interviews with trans people and their families
• This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel: a tender novel about a family with a young trans child
• My Child is Trans, Now What? by Ben Greene: Ben spoke at our meeting in March!
• The Advocate Educator's Handbook by Rebecca Kling and Vanessa Ford: advice for creating schools where trans and nonbinary students thrive
• Supporting Transgender Autistic Youth and Adults by Finn V. Gratton: a guide for professionals and families with loved ones who are both trans and autistic

And if you have any books from our library in your home (look for the PFLAG sticker), this is a friendly reminder to bring them back when you're finished!



December Holiday Party: Sunday, December 8

You and your family are invited to join us on Sunday, December 8 from 1-3 pm for our annual holiday gathering at a private home in Berkeley. Outdoor space will be available. Please bring a snack to share (last year the food was delicious).

To join us, just reply to this email to RSVP and we will send you the address. We look forward to seeing you at this casual holiday gathering.

Please note, there is NO chapter/support meeting in December. We hope you can join us at the holiday gathering instead.

November is Transgender Awareness Month

Friday, November 1st marked the beginning of Transgender Awareness Month. Whether you have a trans loved one or are part of the trans community, PFLAG has resources for you! Check out our transgender resources on the PFLAG National website to learn more. 

To our trans loved ones: we see you, we support you, and we will never stop advocating for trans rights across the country.

In the News - Positive Developments

State Matters:

California - Freedom to Read Act becomes law. The new law forbids public libraries receiving state funds from banning books or other materials based on the topics, ideas, views, or opinions in them. Public libraries also are forbidden from banning books in a way that discriminates against race, disability, political affiliation, socioeconomic status, gender identity or sexual orientation. 

Maryland - Trans Shield Act takes effect. The law took effect on October 1st, meaning that gender-affirming care is now recognized as legally protected healthcare in the state. The law also protects gender-affirming care patients and providers from out-of-state prosecution and investigations. 

Minnesota - State is refuge for gender-affirming care. Providers in Minnesota are serving an influx of out-of-state patients, as many nearby states have banned gender-affirming care for trans and nonbinary youth. 

Media Matters:

Gender Research Advisory Council & Education (GRACE) releases PSA combating anti-trans ads. The PSA features an army veteran whose trans son died shortly after gender-affirming care was banned in his home state of South Carolina.

Local, Virtual Support Meetings

PFLAG San Francisco

PFLAG Lamorinda

PFLAG Concord/Clayton

Ongoing Events

• Town Youth Club (Second and Fourth Fridays)
• PFLAG's "Something to Talk About" (Monthly, Thursday at 1:30 PM)
• PFLAG Connects Communities: Moderated online meetings for Families of Color, Military Families, Grandparents, and Parents & Caregivers of Gender Diverse Youth
• PFLAG Connects: Gender Spectrum Parent Community (Third Monday, 5 PM PT)
• Pacific Center Peer Groups
• Oakland LGBTQ Center Events

Celebrating Transgender Awareness Month:

Big “Wins” for LGBTQ candidates

Sarah McBride becomes the first out trans person elected to Congress, representing Delaware. Learn more about her historic win and her focus on the issues that she said mattered to her constituents.

NBC News reported that more than 1,000 LGBTQ candidates ran for office across the country, with wins in at least 40 states and an approximately 80% success rate among those who made it to the general election. Read the story.

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