WHAT IS PFLAG?
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is an organization dedicated to supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) persons. Created in 2012 the Hanover chapter is the 12th Indiana chapter and is affiliated with the national PFLAG organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. It has been in existence for over 40 years now. There are over 500 affiliates across the country and worldwide.
We join several chapters in the state, but are the only one serving the southeastern area. We are in Jefferson County, near Madison, upriver from Louisville and downriver from Cincinnati. In Indiana, Seymour was the closest. Evansville serves the southwestern area, Indianapolis the center. Others around the state include Fort Wayne, Huntington, Bloomington, South Bend based Michiana, Lafayette/Tippecanoe County, 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 GLBT community. We take advantage of excellent resources provided by the national PFLAG and work within our communities to increase understanding and acceptance.
PFLAG Hanover/Madison, Indiana
MEETINGS:
2nd and 4th Mondays OF EACH MONTH
6:30pm-8:30pm
Clearinghouse
downtown Madison
We have an email:
We use PO Box 276, Hanover, IN 47243.
812-624-5244
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CONFIDENTIALITY: Persons who attend PFLAG meetings can expect both the identity of attendees and what is said to remain confidential. This holds for all email correspondence, too. |
MISSION:
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, their families and 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 GLBT 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 GLBT-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 GLBT-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:
- 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 fromloved 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, or transgender family member.To that effect, we provide a safe and confidential environment to express and share feelings and experiences.
National webpage http://www.pflag.org
