Inactive Chapter

At the moment, the PFLAG chapter for Jackson, MS is not active.

We do hope to be active again at some point. Keep checking back….this website will remain live.

Until then, please use UnityMS as your GLBTQ resource for the Jackson, MS area.

Where does PFLAG stand on issues?

Please take a moment to notice a new page that has been added to this website – Advocacy & Issues.

This page will give you a complete rundown of the official position of PFLAG on the various issues affecting our GLBT loved ones.

Fierce Advocate: Lt. Dan Choi

Choi Arrested at White House Gates
By Kerry Eleveld and Andrew Harmon

Source:  The Advocate

In an act of civil disobedience, Lt. Dan Choi and Jim Pietrangelo have been arrested at the White House gates on Thursday while protesting the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Following a Human Rights Campaign rally for DADT repeal in Washington earlier today, Choi and Pietrangelo led about 100 protesters to the White House, where the two then proceeded to handcuff themselves to the gates.

United States Park Police spokesman Sgt. David Schlosser told The Advocate that both men were taken to Park Police’s Anacostia station, where they were charged with failure to obey a lawful order. Choi and Pietrangelo will be held overnight and are scheduled to appear in D.C. Superior Court on Friday.

Choi was speaking at the HRC rally at Freedom Plaza when he asked the group’s executive director, Joe Solmonese, if he would also march to the White House. Pietrangelo was discharged from the military under DADT, while Choi’s discharge is pending. Choi is the founder of Knights Out, a West Point alumni organization supporting LGBT soldiers.

“You’ve been told that the White House has a plan,” Choi told rally attendees. “But we learned this week that the president is still not fully committed. … Following this rally, I will be leading [the protest] to the White House to say ‘enough talk.’ … I am still standing, I am still fighting, I am still speaking out, and I am still gay.”

Police officers had blocked the gates of the White House with yellow tape and pushed back the protesters, who were chanting DADT repeal slogans and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kathy Griffin, who was in Washington at the behest of HRC to meet with members of Congress about DADT repeal, was also at the rally. When asked by Choi if she would march with him to the White House, Griffin responded, “Of course!” Neither Griffin nor Solmonese was seen at the White House protest, however.

The HRC has released the following statement on the rally: “Today more than 1,000 people showed up at a rally — 500 of which signed up to become more involved in the fight to repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ Joe Solmonese along with [gay Iraq war veteran] Eric Alva and others felt it was important to stay and engage those at the rally in ways they can continue building the pressure needed for repeal. This does nothing to diminish the actions taken by Lt. Choi and others. This is the nature of social change and everyone has a role to play.”

Gay rights activist Robin McGehee was also arrested after she had apparently helped the two discharged soldiers handcuff themselves to the fence. An officer who arrested McGehee said “I can’t say anything” on why she was taken into custody.

Story developing …

(photos by By Kerry Eleveld)

Day of Silence – April 16, 2010

The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Each year the event has grown, and now hundreds of thousands of students participate to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior. Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Click here to find out more about the Day of Silence.

Exciting Announcement!

I am pleased to announce that we now have a permanent home for our PFLAG meetings!

St. Alexis’ Episcopal Church has graciously allowed us to use their church.

They are located at 650 East South Street Jackson, MS 39201  Click here for a map.

You can find them online at their website, on Twitter, and on Facebook!

Gays in Antigay States Prone to Depression (by Michelle Garcia)

Gays and lesbians who live in states that ban same-sex marriage — such as Mississippi — are more likely to suffer from alcoholism, mood disorders, or anxiety, according to a study by the American Public Health Association.

Researchers report that gay people who live in states prohibiting legal recognition for same-sex couples are 248.2% more likely to experience general anxiety than those in states without such bans. Residents of antigay states are also 41.9% more likely to suffer from alcoholism, 36.6% more likely to have a mood disorder, and 36.3% more likely to have psychiatric comorbidity, or simultaneous presence of two disorders.

The antigay policies do not seem to affect heterosexual people, the researchers noted.

The full study can be found in the American Journal of Public Health.

from: Gays in Antigay States Prone to Depression | News | Advocate.com

PFLAG Documentary: Holding Families Together

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Who We Are, Where We’re Going

President Obama tells the story of PFLAG

Our First Meeting: January 30th

Don’t forget! Our first meeting is this Saturday – January 30th!

Time:
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Location:
Safe Harbor Family Church

Address:
2147 Henry Hill Drive, Suite 203
Jackson, MS 39204-2000

Directions:
From I-20, take exit 40, Hwy. 18 west. At the first traffic light, turn right onto Greenway Drive. Turn right again immediately onto Henry Hill Drive. We are on the second floor of the Metro West office complex, located at the end of the road.

Click here for a map and more detailed directions.

This meeting will involve alot of planning and brainstorming and will be very informal. Bring a parent, bring a friend, and bring your ideas!