Pflag’S Goal To Establish Healthy, Respectful Society

Sat., Dec. 2, 2000

Special To Handle Extra

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is an organization and support group that promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons and their families and friends through support, education and advocacy.

PFLAG provides an opportunity for dialogue on sexual orientation and gender identity and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

Keith Ekness, president of the Coeur d’Alene chapter of PFLAG, provided the following information about his group.

Q. How did the Coeur d’Alene chapter start?

A. In Coeur d’Alene, more than seven years ago, a small gathering of parents and friends started to meet to talk about their gay sons and lesbian daughters. It later became an affiliated chapter of the national PFLAG organization. PFLAG was founded in 1981. There are more than 440 communities across the country and networks located in 11 other countries. Today PFLAG represents more that 56,000 families - and speaks for others - concerned about society’s attitudes toward their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered loved ones.

Regular monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. Call one of the numbers below for location. All meetings are confidential.

Q. How many paid staff members do you have?

A. There is no paid staff of the group, only volunteers.

Q. What kind of service opportunities exists for volunteers?

A. Visitors always are welcome to participate in the monthly discussion group meetings. At this time volunteers are not needed. The primary focus of the group is support and education. However, it would be nice to have volunteers available when there are special events, projects or functions to organize.

Q. How are you funded? What is your largest fund-raising operation?

A. Coeur d’Alene PFLAG has nonprofit status, so any donations would be tax deductible. It is funded with donations and contributions from members of the group and the community. PFLAG also receives some money from the United Way of Kootenai County, which anyone can contribute to and designate for PFLAG of Coeur d’Alene. The support meetings are free and open to everyone, but if a person would like to become an active member with the group, there is an annual due of $10. PFLAG offers publications, resources and information to anyone. The Pride Foundation recently provided the group with a grant to help promote public awareness of PFLAG.

Q. What is the impact of your services?

A. The vision of PFLAG is that we celebrate diversity and envision a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Only with respect, dignity and equality for all will we reach our full potential as human beings, individually and collectively. PFLAG welcomes the participation and support of all who share in, and hope to realize, this vision. Coeur d’Alene PFLAG provides a safe place for anyone in the area to gather and share information about gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons. Written informational material also is available.

Q. How has your group grown? What growth do you predict?

A. Coeur d’Alene PFLAG has gone through some ups and downs. The fluctuating membership can be anywhere from 10 to 25. Many people would benefit from education about gays and lesbians. We hope that with more public awareness of the existence of the local chapter of PFLAG, there can be more opportunities for dialogue about sexual orientation.

Q. What additional services would you provide if you had the funding to do so?

A. It would be nice to arrange for some speakers and special events to help educate and inform the general public about gays and lesbians. On-going advertisements for the awareness of the monthly group meetings would be wonderful.

Q. What do you see as the largest unmet need of this community?

A. Acknowledgment that there is a chapter of PFLAG in Coeur d’Alene and that it is willing to be of service for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons.

Q. How can people contact you?

A. Coeur d’Alene PFLAG at P.O. Box 1444, Hayden, ID 83835 or call 765-8209 or 666-0187. E-mail: pflagcda@yahoo.com.

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