PFLAG Buffalo-Niagara

PFLAG Buffalo-Niagara
Parents, Families, Friends and Allies United with LGBTQ People

PO Box 617
Buffalo, NY 14207
716-883-0384

info@pflagbuffalo.org
www.pflagbuffalo.org
www.facebook.com/pflag.niagara

Sunday, November 15th

2:30-5:00
This months sharing meeting
Will feature Matthew Crehan-Higgins
From WNY Pride Center and Evergreen Community Services
Monthly sharing meetings are held at Kenilworth United Church of Christ, 45 Dalton Drive, Tonawanda 14223,
from 2:30-5:00. Newcomers and anyone interested will be offered the option of meeting privately with a PFLAG
parent. Our monthly meetings are in the library, which is near the parking lot entrance. The facility is
handicapped accessible. New Parents Meetings are scheduled as needed at a location convenient to those
involved. These self-help one-on-one meetings deal with the concerns of parents and family members who
have recently learned that a loved one is gay.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
We meet because we have learned that someone very close to us is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender. We try to help one
another deal with this information in a positive manner. Although we do not agree at all times, we try to be understanding. We
offer help to those who seek it, but do not force ourselves on others. We strive to maintain anonymity while sharing on a level that
is comfortable for all of us. We encourage all to attend meetings for their own.

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PFLAG Buffalo/Niagara

Last month in our newsletter we shared the mission statements and basic information about 3 local
resources. Two more are highlighted this month.

Our first featured resource:

SPECTRUM TRANSGENDER GROUP OF WESTERN NEW YORK

Mission:
To provide a support structure for transgendered individuals and for their families, friends and allies.
To assist the questioning individual in their search for awareness and comprehension of their gender identity and
expression.
To serve as an educational resource both in the TG community and in reaching out to the surrounding community, in
order to increase awareness of transgender issues.
To work as advocates in gaining respect, dignity, and basic human rights for transgender people everywhere.
Activities:
Provide support, information, education, and advocacy for transitioning transsexuals and questioning transgender
individuals. Friends, families, and allies are welcome.
Monthly meetings are held on the second Friday of every month at 7 p.m.
Please contact Spectrum for more information about their meetings.
Email: SpectrumWNY@yahoo.com
Phone: Michelle Wolf (716)465-8736
https://www.facebook.com/SpectrumWNY
Membership:
Our general meetings are open to all who are interested, but we encourage everyone to consider becoming a paid
member of the organization.
Benefits of membership include:

PFLAG Buffalo-Niagara

The right to vote in decision-making processes and attend executive board meetings.

A membership card that can serve as an identification aid for people in various stages of transition or while
cross-dressed.

The ability to check out items from our library.

Download membership form (PDF) on the webpage if interested.

Our second featured resource:

embrace Western New York

www.embracewny.com

embrace Western New York is a local, non-profit organization comprised of gay and straight members of the
Western New York community. A Board of Directors handles the philanthropic responsibilities of the organization.
The 2014-15 executive members of embraceWNY are: President, Jeffrey H. Platt; Vice President, Dale Bauman;
Secretary, Beverly Barry; and Treasurer, Brian E Mietlicki. Other serving members are: Douglas Charles, Judy
Dumitru, Dinah James-Gamin, Shari Kiesow, and Lynn Tranchell.
The Board of embrace Western New York works hard to fulfill its mission of through education all things are
possible. Fundraising locally and supporting locally allows us opportunity to raise awareness of the LGBT
community while promoting equality and justice for all Western New Yorkers. Our major fundraiser, The Buffalo
Brunch, is held each spring and honors those Western New Yorkers whose personal commitment reflects our
own. Community Service Honorees include individuals, congregations and organizations.
embrace Western New York is pleased and honored to return monies to the Western New York community
through Community Grants and Sponsorships, along with Educational Scholarships for our local college
students. We offer a rolling application process so applications can be received throughout the year. Recognition of
awards is given at The Buffalo Brunch.

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PFLAG Buffalo/Niagara

Mission Statement
embrace Western New York is dedicated to equality and fairness within Western New York and seeks to raise
awareness, understanding and acceptance of the LGBT community amongst all citizens. Mission: through education
all things are possible. Goals: to educate and support individuals and local organizations working towards equality
for all New York State residents, especially in the LGBT community; developing the leadership potential of young
adults from under-represented areas; assisting organizations in promoting a positive and affirming position; and
strengthening local groups and organizations that are working towards full acceptance of the LGBT community.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

PFLAG PRESENTS IMPORTANT FILM DURING LIBRARYS BULLYING STOPS HERE MONTH

The film, Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case That Made History was the focus of PFLAGs third annual film
presentation at the Central Library on October 18th. Bullied presents the court case of Jamie Nabozny, who is the
first person to sue school administrators for not keeping him safe from bullying. When in high school, the bullying
Jamie experienced was reported to his assistant principal and principal, but nothing was done. In fact, by sending
the message Boys will be boys, the administration actually supported the students harassing and beating him up.
This disturbing film led to a interesting discussion afterward. The audience gave positive and strong feedback
about the film, the events in it, and the fact that although progress has been made, there is so much more work to
be done. The Dignity for All Act was discussed as to the support it can give that in Jamies day he could not access.
However, it was also noted that not all schools are using DASA as it could and should be used. One audience
member who works in education brought up the need to work at home and at school to teach upstanding skills, so
potential bullies do not feel supported and continue inflicting pain and suffering.
This film is available for free to all schools from the website www.teachingtolerance.org. A shorter 26 version
of the 40 minute film is available on the Vimeo website. PFLAG gave copies of the film to audience members who
plan to use it with church and educational groups. PFLAG Buffalo/Niagara thanks the Buffalo and Erie County Library
for focusing the issue of bullying each October and for once again giving PFLAG the opportunity to continue to
educate the public on this issue.

PFLAG Buffalo-Niagara

How To Have The Sex Talk With LGBT Children

By Ryan Buxton, Huffpost.com

Talking to a child about sex is tricky -- and often stressful for parents who want to strike a balance between
being open, honest and truthful without veering into territory that could be inappropriate for a young age. But the
conversation becomes even more complex with lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) children, who often
need an extended discussion about gender and sexuality that may be unfamiliar to heterosexual parents who
haven't experienced those issues firsthand.
So what's the best way to handle such an important parenting moment? HuffPost Live's Nancy Redd talked with
a panel of parents and sex experts to answer that very question.

Watch part of the discussion on sex-positive parenting by cutting and pasting the address below, and you will
also be able to find the full discussion through another link.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-to-have-the-sex-talk-with-lgbt-children_55e4b402e4b0aec9f3543020

Books About Talking with Your Children About Sexuality

Planned Parenthood.com
How to Talk with Teens About Love, Relationships, and S-E-X by Amy G. Miron and Charles D. Miron
Sex & Sensibility: The Thinking Parent's Guide to Talking Sense About Sex by Deborah M. Roffman
Sexuality: Your Sons and Daughters With Intellectual Disabilities by Karin Melberg Schwier and David Hingsburger
Staying Connected to Your Teenager: How to Keep Them Talking to You and How to Hear What They're Really
Saying by Michael Riera
Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about Their Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality by Terri Couwenhoven
The Real Truth About Teens and Sex: From Hooking Up to Friends with Benefits What Teens Are Thinking, Doing,
and Talking About, and How to Help Them Make Smart Choices by Sabrina Weill
Why Do They Act That Way?: A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen by David Walsh
For Goodness Sex: Changing the Way We Talk to Teens About Sexuality, Values, and Health by Al Vernacchio
See more at:
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/parents/resources-for-parents#sthash.fDQJPW92.dpuf

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PFLAG Buffalo/Niagara

Is it time to renew your PFLAG membership?

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Donations of $50.00 or more can be included in the chapter newsletter with your permission.
Make checks payable to PFLAG Buffalo/Niagara and mail to: P.O. Box 617 Buffalo, NY 14207
PFLAG Buffalo/Niagara is a non-profit 501(c)3 and donations are tax-deductible.

PFLAG BUFFALO-NIAGARA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Phil Salemi, Jr., President

Lisbeth Ball, Director

Amy Fularz, Vice President

David Barrett, Director

Kristian Rickard, Vice President

Sharon Barrett, Director

Brian Carrier, Treasurer

Ann Carrier, Director

Michele Perry, Secretary

Julie Christiano, Director

PFLAG Buffalo-Niagara, is a non-profit, all volunteer, community-based organization not

affiliated with any ethnic, religious, economic or political group. Membership is open to all.
PFLAG membership lists are kept confidential.

We hope you like reading these newsletter articles, we also share current articles on our
Facebook page. Please consider liking us on Facebook and reading articles all month long at
www.facebook.com/pflag.niagara