Community Resource Directory
Seven years ago three Ann Arbor families who have gay sons got together to help other families deal with this revelation in a healthy and positive manner and to assure new parents that they were not alone. These parents were also concerned with helping gays and lesbians in the process of "coming out" to their families. Thus, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Ann Arbor (P-FLAG Ann Arbor) was formed. We soon found out that our group was just one of hundreds of P-FLAG chapters scattered throughout the U.S. and other countries, and that there was also a Federation P-FLAG located in Washington, D.C. There are currently eight cities in Michigan that have P-FLAG groups or parent hotline numbers listed.
Through the years we have met once a month to share all that we have learned. We have helped change attitudes and have attempted to create an environment of understanding in a comfortable, open atmosphere where family members can share their experiences with others and at the same time learn how to support their gay and lesbian family members with love and pride. Names of group members and visitors have always been held in strict confidence.
Families, friends, and gay and lesbian persons who visit our group have expressed their appreciation that we have been there for them. One couple traveled several times to see us from Ohio because there was no parents' group near them. P-FLAG/Ann Arbor not only benefits families and friends; it benefits all gay and lesbian people as well.
In the past few years, we have presented a speaker as part of our monthly meeting. These experts volunteer their time to speak to our group on a variety of topics that are of interest to families. Some of the subjects have been health issues, the history of homosexuality and religious concerns.
Some of our members are well-educated about AIDS and are able to listen with knowledge and compassion when a visitor knows someone who is infected with the virus. We are aware of the local organizations who work with HIV infection, ARC and AIDS, and we direct people to these groups whenever appropriate.
P-FLAG/Ann Arbor sends out a newsletter to families as well as local individuals and organizations who are supportive of the gay community and gay issues. We also have a "lending library" of literature that we share with our visitors.
We are aware that there are many people in our area who have a gay or lesbian relative or friend, or who work with the gay and lesbian community. For this reason we have decided to host an Open House at our January 21st meeting from 2 to 4 pm. We meet at the King of Kings Lutheran Church, 2685 Packard (at Eisenhower) in Ann Arbor. P-FLAG/Ann Arbor would like to know more about you and/or your organization, and we would like you to meet us to learn about our group as well. We hope you will join us and have a good time! We hope to meet you on the 21st!
P-FLAG/Ann Arbor, P.O. Box 15411, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106; llene 663-1867 or Joyce 769-1684.