President
President
Michelle E
PFLAG Balsam Mountains
About Us
PFLAG National was founded in 1973 by a mom, Jeanne Manford, who was attending a parade (precursor to the Pride Parade) with her gay son. Seeing her unconditional love and fierce advocacy, many LGBTQ people begged her to speak with their parents. She held the first PFLAG Support Group meeting on March 11, 1973 at a church in Greenwich Village, New York. For over five decades, PFLAG has provided support to families and allies who are in need.
PFLAG National, based in Washington, D.C., supports over 350 chapters nationally, across generations of American families.
The mission of PFLAG Balsam Mountains, a chapter of PFLAG National, is to bring the PFLAG mission to the WNC communities of Haywood, Jackson, and Macon, by offering:
- Support for families, allies and people who are LGBTQ
- Education for ourselves and others about the unique issues and challenges facing people who are LGBTQ, and
- Advocacy in our communities to change attitudes and create policies and laws that achieve full equality for people who are LGBTQ.
What We Do
Provide Support – PFLAG facilitates separate monthly in-person and online support groups, as well as a weekly support group for parents and allies of transgender folks. We also provide periodic programs for special topics and events.
Offer Education – Each month, as part of our support groups, we provide a different education topic relevant to the time of year (back-to-school, coming out, etc.). For the parents / allies of transgender folks, we provide a faith-based discussion one week, book club the next week, sharing our stories, and trans-specific education topics. We also do periodic special programs like suicide prevention training, name change clinic, and others.
Advocate – PFLAG strives to partner with other local and National organizations to educate key decision-makers about the issues that affect our loved ones and families, and to teach others how to use their voices to amplify our efforts toward a more equitable, and just world for the LGBTQ+ community.
Meet Our Board
Secretary
Secretary
Janie F
Treasurer
Treasurer
Murray M
