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What Happens At PFLAG Support
Meetings?
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PFLAG support meetings are where we do our best and most important work,
and where we see real magic occur in the lives of countless individuals
and families. Our welcoming support meetings provide a safe, confidential
place for those who are learning to deal with the reality of homosexuality
or gender-identity/expression issues in their family or circle of friends.. At our support meetings, we provide loving, non-judgmental
support for our children, family members, friends, and each other. We welcome, as
well, our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered children (whether those GLBT
children are age 10 or 50), family, and
friends at meetings.
We offer multiple support meetings each month at different locations throughout
the Phoenix area. Our "main" support meeting is held at our central
Valley location in Paradise Valley. That meeting always starts with a short informative
program which is usually presented by a guest speaker. After the
program, we divide into small sharing groups, each with a PFLAG facilitator.
Attendees have the option of sitting in with our general sharing group(s)
or with one of several special-focus groups: our "newcomers" group
(for first timers and those who have only recently begun dealing with this
issue); our straight spouse/partner group, our GLBT spouse/partner group; or our transgender support
group (note: our gay spouse/partner group and our transgender support
group only meet when enough participants attend and express an interest to meet
separately). Our other Valley support meetings include only
a general sharing group and usually do not include a formal program/guest speaker
(unless specifically announced on our calendar).
In our small sharing groups, gentle discussion takes place in a safe,
informal atmosphere of confidentiality and trust. We each are given
the opportunity to share our questions and concerns, as well as our successes
and joys, or we may just sit and listen -- it is perfectly acceptable to not
speak (although we strongly encourage you, if you can, to share what is on your
heart so that we may begin the healing process with you). We are not there
to judge -- people who just starting this journey can say some unpleasant
things, and we are there to listen and to support and educate. We
ask everyone in attendance to show respect to everyone else. We all listen and learn from one another.
Parents in attendance learn from the shared experiences from other parents, as
well as the shared experience of other gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and
questioning (GLBTQ) individuals who are present. GLBTQ individuals learn
from the shared experiences of other GLBTQ individuals, as well as from the
shared experiences of parents, family members, and friends who are present.
As always, our straight allies are also welcome at our meetings. During
our support meetings, there is often laughter, there are sometimes tears, and
afterwards, there are usually many hugs shared between old friends and new ones.
Over time, some who continue to attend develop long-lasting friendships with other
attendees. We invite you to come and share the magic that is PFLAG! See also:
Common Concerns/Fears About Attending Your First
PFLAG Meeting
Why We Strongly Encourage
Everyone To Attend A Local Support
Meeting
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