"Welcoming Cultures - What We Can Learn From Them"  (workshop)
        (Note:  we did not attend this workshop --we only picked up the workshop materials)

• Embracing Cultures - What We Can Learn From Them presentation document.  [PDF] 
  Our comment:  While mostly a high-level presentation document without its accompanying details, it does contain informative about other cultures in relation to GLBT people which makes it a worthwhile (quick!) read.

• Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and Domestic Partnerships around the world - undated document.  [PDF]

"Diverse Communities:  How to Reach Us" (plenary; focus on trans, bi, Latino's)

• Diverse Communities:  How to Reach Us  [PDF] 
  Our comment:  This was a very good discussion about how PFLAG chapters can make efforts to reach out to other diverse groups within and external to the GLBT community to draw more people in who may need our support/education/advocacy.  The speakers were a transgender woman, a bisexual woman, and a Latino lesbian woman, all who brought their own unique perspectives to this important discussion.  Ask yourself:  How many transgender, bisexual, Latino, or other minority groups within the GLBT community (or their families) are represented at your PFLAG support meetings?  If they aren't coming, maybe we should be focused on why don't they feel welcome to attend and participate?  Do they even know we exist?  What can we do to extend an invitation directly to them?

"Reaching Out to Communities of Color" (workshop; focus on Latino's)

• Reaching Out to Communities of Color  [PDF]
  Our comment:  Important information for chapters interested in reaching out to Latino GLBT individuals and their families.  With the huge Latino population in Arizona, this is something all chapters should be trying to do.  It's important to note the cultural differences between Caucasians (who typically make up most PFLAG support meetings) and Latinos, and we should strive to make them feel invited and welcome to participate in our chapters.

• Side Note:  For anyone aware of any efforts in your local community to start a Latino-focused PFLAG support group, there are helpful resources available:  The contacts we made at the convention (i.e., the people who have started such group already around the country) are great resources.  Also, Mike's partner Dan wrote a paper as part of his international MBA course on "cross-cultural communication", and as his project he chose to investigate what would be needed to start a Latino-based PFLAG chapter.  We can make that document available to anyone who requests it (contact us here).

"Faith Community Focus:  What Works?" (plenary)

• Faith Community Focus:  What Works?  [PDF]
  Our comment:  Good discussion about how PFLAG chapters can collaborate with local faith groups on various projects/efforts to open dialogue and build community, and how we as individuals can reach out to other individuals of faith and share our personal stories to build understanding and support.  Also included are helpful resources.  (Unfortunately, the web links we added to this presentation are not operable in the PDF version.)