Advancing Equality Through Support, Education and Advocacy
Building on a Foundation of Loving Families
Letter From the President:
As our chapter completes its 25th year, we look back with thanks to our founders Barb and Sam Beeler and celebrate the amazing work we have done in the community with you, our members and partners. We have shared and supported each other, celebrated at PRIDE events, advocated on behalf of our members for change and representation, supported our GSA students and provided on-going education to our community in order to create safe and inclusive spaces for ALL of our children.

At the same time, as we look forward toward our next 25 years, we know that much work still remains. Every day new families need our support, community organizations need education and our advocacy work must continue until ALL members of society have equal rights.

As we think about the work going forward, we know that we need to work hand in hand with our members and partners. To this end, over the next few weeks we will be making phone calls to each of our 200+ families. The purpose of these calls is to be sure everyone is getting the support they need and is included in our work to the degree they are interested and able. Feel free to preempt our call by reaching out to us first. Call 925-207-3599 to let us know you are a PFLAG Family and if you have any current need of support or advocacy. If you want to get more involved with other parents and our LGBTQ+ folx in the San Ramon Valley area working toward inclusion and equity for our kids, let us know! In the meantime, enjoy this holiday season and have a very happy new year.

All the best for a wonderful holiday season,
Lisa Levy
pronouns: she/her/hers
President PFLAG Danville-San Ramon Valley

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL:

Please consider renewing or starting a 2020-2021 membership for as little as $25 today! Here’s how:
Print and fill out this membership form and send it along with your check to the address listed on the form. If you have any questions please call Faye Isaacson, Membership Chair of PFLAG Danville-San Ramon Valley at 510-872-8363.

OPEN BOARD POSITIONS:

We have a few Board positions open, some brand new to the chapter.
  • Vice President (new position)
  • Membership Chair
  • Marketing and Events Chair (new position)
If you are interested or know anyone who is (they do not have to be a current PFLAG member), please let us know at srvpflag@gmail.com.


Supporting One Another
  • Please join us at our monthly support meetings which are held on the 3rd Monday of EVERY month from 7-9 PM - currently being held on ZOOM.

  • If you are 18 and older join our PFLAG Zoom Social every Monday from 8-9ish PM on Zoom. Contact us at srvpflag@gmail.com for these invitation only events.

  • NEW!: If you have a teenager who is looking for a social opportunity with other LGBTQ+ teens, our PFLAG Highschool Zoom social are held on the first Sunday evening of each month from 7:00-8:00 PM, please contact us at srvpflag@gmail.com for these invitation only events.

  • Q Chat Space, a collaboration between Center Link, PFLAG and Planned Parenthood, provides online live discussion groups for LGBTQ+ teens ages 13-19. These conversations facilitated by experienced staff who work at LGBTQ+ enters around the country are now being offered in Spanish. For more information click HERE

  • Holiday stress: We know that even under the best of circumstances, the holiday season can be stressful for our LGBTQ+ loved ones who might need to spend time with unsupportive family members, feel that they cannot come out, or aren't out to everyone. This year, however, the stress of isolation can make things even worse. If you will be visiting with family or having an LGBTQ+ family member visit, HERE are some helpful tips. Additionally, HERE are some helpful tips for being an ally over the holidays.
Student Scholarship Opportunity
The eQuality Scholarship Collaborative is pleased to announce it's 32nd annual scholarship program for graduating high school and community college students. This year they are hoping to award 15 $6,000 scholarships recognizing contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. Applications are due by January 31, 2021. You can find the complete eligibility requirements and application forms HERE.
Changing Hearts and Minds
Educating our Community
As our chapter continues its work in educating our community, we are looking forward to the first quarter of 2021 when we will be partnering with the San Ramon Valley School District to provide education on LGBTQ+ student support to all district Registrars, Office Managers and office staff. If you know of a place in the community that could benefit from our education efforts, reach out to us at srvpflag@gmail.com.

Book Recommendation:
Unconditional : A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child, by Telaina Eriksen (2017): This book provides parents of LGBTQ children with a framework for helping their children navigate through a world that isn't always welcoming. Author Telaina Eriksen, a professor at Michigan State University and the mother of a gay daughter, explains what she and her husband have learned through experience, including how to:
  • support children coming out
  • confront bullying
  • become an advocate
  • build a support system.
Eriksen also covers the science on gender and sexuality and how to help a transgender child through the various stages of development. Throughout the book parents and kids who have been there, share their stories.
Advocating for Change
While several things still remain unknown from our 2020 election, one thing is for certain: there were a record number of LGBTQ+ wins. An estimated 35 of a record 574 LGBTQ+ candidates on the ballot won their seats including Delaware's Sarah McBride who became the first openly transgender candidate to have won a Senate seat. As LGBTQ+ individuals become a larger part of the electorate, an exit poll by Edison research shows that LGBTQ+ individuals made up 7% of the 2020 electorate up from 5% in 2016, we can hope to see even greater advocacy for LGBTQ+ issues at both state and federal levels. If you are interested in getting involved with local advocacy efforts in our Danville-San Ramon Valley community, contact us at srvpflag@gmail.com.
(925) 338-0215 srvpflag@gmail.com