Hanover Chapter PFLAG

WHAT IS PFLAG?

PFLAG is an organization of LGBTQ+ people, parents, families, and allies who work together to create an equitable and inclusive world. We are hundreds of thousands of people and hundreds of chapters from coast to coast who are leading with love to support families, educate allies, and advocate for just, equitable, and inclusive legislation and policies. Since our founding in 1973, PFLAG works every day to ensure LGBTQ+ people everywhere are safe, celebrated, empowered and loved. Learn more, find support, donate, and take action at www.pflag.org. Locally check out pflaghanover.org.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays began in the 1970s and now goes simply by PFLAG. It is a national organization dedicated to supporting lesbian, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) persons their families and friends. PFLAG Hanover was created in 2012 as the 12th Indiana chapter and is affiliated with the national PFLAG organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the national organization.

Hanover Presbyterian Church is our sponsor organization and Christ Episcopal Church is our meeting location. Both are welcoming and affirming congregations in Jefferson County, Christians recognize LGBTQ+ people as God’s children, part of the family. Hanover Presbyterian is a More Light church.

We joined several chapters in the state but are the only one serving the southeastern Indiana and focused on youth given our rural location in Jefferson County. We meet now in Madison, upriver from Louisville and downriver from Cincinnati. We have a youth branch in Switzerland County. Seymour was the closest chapter and helped us get started. Evansville serves the SW, Indianapolis and Fishers, the center. Others in the state include Fort Wayne, Huntington/ Crown Point, Bloomington, South Bend based Michiana, Lafayette/Tippecanoe County, and Richmond/Whitewater Valley.

One of the main goals of PFLAG is to keep families together. To facilitate this goal, we provide a safe place for ALL members of the family to share their feelings and experiences with others who have been down the same road. We meet monthly to provide a support group, educate ourselves, and advocate for equal rights for members of the LGBTQ+ community. We take advantage of excellent resources provided by the national PFLAG and work within our communities to increase understanding and acceptance. Find us on Facebook as PFLAG Hanover/Madison Indiana

MEETINGS: 6:30pm-8:00pm

Chapter 1st Thursday of each month.

Youth Group 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month

Annex Building of Christ Episcopal Church, look for the rainbow flag

downtown Madison NE corner of 3rd and Mulberry Streets

We have an email: pflag.hanover@gmail.com

We use PFLAG Hanover Inc. PO Box 276, Hanover, IN 47243.

Phone 812-624-5244 and Website www.pflaghanover.org

CONFIDENTIALITY: Persons who attend PFLAG meetings can expect both the identity of attendees and what is said to remain confidential.

This holds for all phone and email correspondence, too.

MISSION:

PFLAG promotes the health & well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, & transgender persons, their families &d friends through:

ADVOCACY To end discrimination and secure equal civil rights

EDUCATION To enlighten an ill-informed public

SUPPORT To cope with an adverse society

What can you expect at a PFLAG meeting?

Welcome: You will be greeted by friendly, caring individuals who will make you feel welcome, who will listen to your story and your concerns, and who will answer your questions.

Information: You will learn about issues in the news that affect LGBTQ people. You will be informed of actions you can take to affect change. You will receive a calendar of upcoming events for PFLAG and other LGBTQ-friendly groups.

Support: As either a newcomer or a long-time PFLAG participant, you will have the opportunity to attend a support group of your peers where you can discuss LGBTQ-related issues such as coming out or family relationships.

Program: Each meeting features a guest speaker, a panel, or a film with useful information for attendees. Although PFLAG tackles serious topics, we also have fun together, celebrate accomplishments and enjoy food and fellowship.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP October – September fiscal year:

  • Individual $30
  • Household $40
  • Student/Special conditions $15                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           We welcome individuals and families who support our mission to join us in pursuing our goals and those of the national organization. A portion of these annual dues is shared with the national level to support its programs.

The History of PFLAG

In 1972, Morton Manford, a gay man, was physically attacked in New York City at a gay rights demonstration. Morty’s parents, Jeanne and Jules Manford, saw the attack on television and witnessed the police’s failure to intervene. Their outrage turned them into activists.

Jeanne Manford marched with her son in New York’s Pride Day parade in 1972.Because many gay and lesbian people at the parade begged her to talk to their parents, she decided to begin a support group. This first support group grew and branched out into other communities, forming a network that eventually became PFLAG.

Today’s issues include: basic civil rights, equal marriage rights, safe schools free from bullying, health care access, welcoming faith communities, understanding and acceptance from loved ones, pervasive heterosexism in the culture that promotes intolerance and even violence.

PFLAG HANOVER INC. was created to provide a venue for education, support, and social activities for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community and their families, friends, and allies.

We have a member-elected board of officers and are a chartered not-for-profit organization. One of our goals is to assist families in coping with the discrimination and misunderstanding resulting from having a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer family member. To that effect, we provide a safe and confidential environment to express and share feelings and experiences.

 


PFLAG Hanover / Madison, Indiana