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"We put together our thoughts of how we feel and
what we have learned in our pursuit of love and understanding. We
hope others can gain strength and encouragement from our words."
-- PFLAG Friends and Members
In 2009 a young man who
my children knew committed suicide. For me, this was the straw
that broke the camel's back. I could not sit back anymore and
watch as our children are killing themselves because they do not
feel accepted and loved for who they are. This is the point in my
life I decided to start the Ogden Chapter of PFLAG. Our goal is
to help youth who are dealing with their sexuality and also help
families who are struggling with having a gay, lesbian, bisexual,
or transgender family member. We want to be able to touch one heart
at a time. PFLAG is a place where people may come to discuss their
feelings and feel safe. We do not judge anyone. We want you to know
that you are not alone and that many others have the same fears, anxiety,
and questions you may be experiencing. We want to build bridges
between individuals and families when that bridge has been broken.
We welcome all to attend one of our meetings and find out for yourself.
If our LGBT family members are going to be accepted anywhere, it
must begin in our own homes.
-- Allison, North Ogden
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We are a family of four with two wonderful loving sons. We were
blessed first with our oldest son, Zach. From the time he was
four we started suspecting he may be gay or transgender. Like
most parents we tried counseling to help us understand what may
be happening. At the age of sixteen, our suspicions came to life.
He was very confused and afraid of what he was feeling. We knew
at that time the best and only thing we could do, was to love and
support him without judgment and criticism. We wanted him to feel
accepted and loved as we knew he would face some tough times ahead
through discrimination and a lack of acceptance socially, in the work
place, and with everyday life. Most recently, Zach lost one of his
closest and dear friends to suicide. At that time we felt we must do
something to make a difference in these kids' lives. We teamed up
with our good friends Allison and Bruce to help start the Ogden
Chapter of PFLAG and to give the LGBT community a safe haven to
express their feelings and be supported by others without being
judged for whom they are. So many gay, lesbian, and transgender
individuals do not have the support of family and friends. We
want to reach out and welcome anyone to come to our PFLAG meetings
where they will feel accepted and know there are people who really
do care and love them.
-- Debbie and Rob, North Ogden
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Kenny and I belong to the PFLAG organization and are grateful
to be members. We've both experienced (either in our own lives
or close friends around us) the effects of loved ones having a
difficult time accepting us on our own merits as a gay couple.
We have been soul mates for nearly five years and love building
a life together with our children. We have worked very hard to
help our families understand the LGBT community and have seen
moderate progress with hopes of greater progress as time goes by.
We both come from religious LDS families. We have seen many
opportunities within our own families to help educate and see
first hand the possibilities that exist for a strong family
that support and love one another. More importantly, we love
our lives and feel very lucky to be together with our children
and the wonderful people that belong to the PFLAG organization.
-- David and Kenny -- Ogden
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I am the grandmother of a gay young man who fills my heart with love.
Since he was a teenager I suspected he was gay and I worried he would
suffer from discrimination and lack of understanding in this conservative,
parochial society. Heartbreakingly, some of his gay friends have taken
their lives because of self-loathing, parental misunderstanding
and discrimination. Fortunately, my daughter and son-in-law are
PFLAG supporters, and my grandson is beloved, just like his sisters.
They work with PFLAG to reach out and help suffering men and women,
and to let them know they have a support system if they choose.
They help to let all know they are understood, respected, worthwhile
human beings created by a loving Father in heaven. My grandson
is warm, caring, and nonjudgemental -- in some part due to PFLAG
support and loving parents. I couldn't be more proud.
-- A Loving Grandmother -- Ogden
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On March 24, 1996 we entered our sons room and ask him to read
an article that appeared in the Ogden Standard Examiner that
Sunday morning entitled "No More Secrets. To make a long story,
the suspicions we had since our son was three that he was gay
was confirmed. Our son had been collecting education material
to give to us when the time came. We read almost continuously
for one year. Four years later when our daughter came out, we
were much more educated on the subject. We love and have always
totally accepted both of our gay children. Fourteen years ago
PFLAG was the only organization available for parents, and it
is still true today. Since parents play a vital role in the
well being of their gay and transgender children we want to
reach out and support other parents who are traveling the same
journey we have traveled.
-- John and Bonnie -- Ogden
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When our son told us he was gay (at age 17), it was no surprise to us.
We thought long and deep regarding how to approach the situation. We quickly
came to the conclusion that love and tolerance had to be paramount while we
researched how to deal with this within the bounds of our aspirations as a
family. Our son loves our famly and continues to be a very important part
of our lives. We watched as some of his friends families tried to deal
with the situation in other ways. Critisism, blame, intimidation,
and threats only destroy the relationship and leave no hope.
-- Mike and Jan-- North Ogden
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