GREENVILLE, N.C. — Twenty-five participants attended an interest and organizational meeting to start an area chapter of PFLAG on April 9 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greenville, 131 Oakmont Dr.
Also in attendance was Linda Stroupe, South Atlantic Region regional director for PFLAG. She hails from Greensboro, N.C. Along with her were representatives from the Rocky Mount and Triangle chapters.
Members of the local LGBT community, as well as parents and friends participated in the meeting.
Organizers were Deborah Thomson and Rich Elkins. Thomson is a mother of a trans-identifed middle school child and Elkis in an area activist. Thomson sought support for her child through a local school, but found it lacking. The research led her to explore starting a local PFLAG chapter.
Volunteers were solicited to form a steering committee to work on establishing the chapter and beginning meetings. Over half of the local participants volunteered. The committee will meet in May to start plotting the course, and regular meetings could start as early as June.
The group has received an offer of free meeting space from the Unitarian Universalist church. The facility features a large multi-purpose space with kitchen, video projection and sound system, as well as all gender-neutral restrooms.
info: pflag@outgreenville.com.
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