Our Stories and Testimonials
What PFLAG Worcester means to me:
I came to Greater Worcester PFLAG a few years ago after I moved from Boston. I am a bisexual woman and I needed to find some friendly faces. I found them at PFLAG. Last year I came back to PFLAG and I am now the co-director of the group. When I think of Greater Worcester PFLAG I think of what the group gives to me every month. PFLAG gives me a place where I am welcome… where I can talk of what is going on in my life…. talk about what I confront in my community and the USA…without fear of hate or prejudice or judgment. I am just me… all of me…and it is okay. It offers me a space to hear others, their struggles, their journeys, their joys and their victories as well…and I learn from all those members’ stories.
Sometimes I can help someone by sharing my experience but more often I just learn from them and the courage people show in the group. PFLAG lets me know in that in these times we live in there is a place that embraces all… welcomes all…and is safe. That place is PFLAG. For those two hours we stand together, listen, share, laugh and care and we are not alone… after those two hours of the meeting I always leave with renewed energy. I go out feeling stronger, with even more pride and strength to face the world in which I live, we all live. I walk with my head held higher, my voice stronger, and my determination to fight for all GLBT and their families to live in a world that is free of hating people simply because of one single part of our identity… who we love, whether that is a parent who loves their GLBT son or daughter or a member of the GLBT.
No matter what I face that month I know that meeting is there for me, for all of us, the next month. Knowing that helps a great deal. I want to see a world in which all people are created equal. I hope to see it some day. Maybe I won’t. To me PFLAG believes it and means it right now. PFLAG does not believe you are only equal if…..
HOPE, SUPPORT AND LOVE
When my son came out to me last year I couldn’t even image the excellent source of support for him and for myself that I was going to find out there. At that time I couldn’t even see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I will never forget that day when out of desperation to see my son so depressed, unhappy and feeling miserable about himself, I went on the internet and found the phone number for PFLAG, an organization that I didn’t even know existed. I made that call and it was the beginning of a series of events that helped me and my son to go through this journey.
The person at the other end of the line was soothing and reassuring. She was full of understanding, hope and support. With her I was able to talk. It was like the beginning of my grieving process with the guilt and sense of loss and the tremendous fear for my son’s safety and the difficult road ahead of him. But she reassured me that he was going to be fine and somehow after that call I felt better. I’ve attended some of the PFLAG meetings in Worcester. They are like a family, a big family that is always there for you. I couldn’t even express my appreciation for the way they welcomed me and supported me.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HOPE, SUPPORT AND LOVE YOU PROVIDE TO PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF GLTB!!
M. U, Parent of a gay teen.
Dick W and answers questions as a Dad and his experiences with PFlag:
1.) What struggle or difficulty has PFLAG helped you with directly or indirectly?
PFLAG has taught me how to better understand the struggles that GLBT people go through in countering bigotry and ignorance in society.
While we have made great strides in recent years to humanize and accept those who are considered "abnormal" by some in society today,
I have great hope that the future will bring a greater acceptance to all.
2.) How do you support PFLAG?
I support PFLAG in a number of ways, the most important being that I have made most of the meetings and events that have taken place since
first attending in January of 2005. My wife and I, along with our gay son marched in the Boston Pride in June 2005, and we were overcome
with emotion at seeing the 300,000+ people cheer us on. I also attended the Worcester Pride gathering and found this to be very
rewarding as well.
I also have donated my services to create and provide the website for PFLAG, which was started in early 2005. Pass the word along that
anyone seeking to learn more about PFLAG Worcester, or to find the info to support us financially, that our website is
http://www.pflagworcester.org
3.) Describe what you think the most important aspect of PFLAG is? (if you were recommending someone to PFLAG what would you say?)
I have found that PFLAG has opened my eyes to better appreciate the struggles that GLBT often face when dealing with their family,
friends and society as a whole. I had a chance to talk to SafeHomes teens with my son, as we told them our personal stories of how the
family dealt with his coming out at 19. I still remember vividly when he first came out, sayng to my son that we must talk about "his
problem". He politely responded "what problem.?". I now realize howmuch I would be learning from my son; we are so proud of him and glad
to be helping others by supporting PFLAG.
LAURA's Testimonial:
GWPFLAG Testimonial
As Program Director of a GLBTQ youth group, I bear witness to painful stories of discrimination, harassment, abandonment, general conflict and uncertainty every week. Until my involvement with Greater Worcester PFLAG, I didn’t realize the effect that these issues have had on my own life, personally and professionally.
With it’s unique vision, Greater Worcester PFLAG has created an atmosphere of warmth, acceptance, support and encouragement. Combined with the genuine caring of it’s members, the confidentiality of the discussions and the “safe” space it has become, have all enabled me to acknowledge and revisit my own trials and tribulations. Greater Worcester PFLAG has helped me to identify these conflicts and the direct impact they have had on my life, thus allowing the healing process to begin.
I always knew PFLAG would be an important resource for the youth and their families at my program. I had no IDEA what a significant impact “Greater Worcester” PFLAG would have on me and the way I see myself! I look forward to the monthly meetings with eager anticipation and have become a member of the Board of Directors. As a result of my participation with GWPFLAG, I am better able to serve the youth I work with.
We all know that PFLAG is for parents and friends... And, here in Worcester, we are learning what that friendship is all about. I am so proud to be a part of this, and just as proud to know that the GLBTQ community and their allies alike, can count on the friend they have in Greater Worcester PFLAG, waiting to help them on their journeys…
Laura Farnsworth
Program Director
Safe Homes
Board Member
Greater Worcester PFLAG
Stacy's story:
What struggle or difficulty has PFLAG helped you with directly or indirectly?
While I don’t think of Greater Worcester PFLAG as solving a problem or difficulty for me it does provide me with support for other work I do. For example I am a GSA advisor, and as I have many concerns for the teens that I serve. PFLAG acts as a referral of sorts for me, in that I am able to access many more possibilities and supports for my GSA members and their families than I would be able to find on my own. PFLAG also gives me a place to receive support for the work I am doing, which is often not only not available in the general public, but which is often met with argument and hostile reproach.
PFLAG is a warm and welcoming place for allies, as well as the GLBT community and their families and friends. PFLAG participants never question the motives of allies the way the general public tends to. (This has always seemed comparable to questioning the motives of the white participants in the Civil Rights Movement and voter registration-Why after all should I care that those around me are being treated with dignity and equality?) I care deeply, and PFLAG is there to provide me with support, as well as information so that I cam readily advocate, educate, and support. Thanks PFLAG!!!!
Click here for excerpt from the first edition of our newsletter the PFLAGCompass - a family profile