After three years of (Covid) hibernation, the PFLAG Portland family reunited with an in-person holiday party at the Southwest Community Center on December 2nd. Sparkles, festive flair, and fierce LGBTQIA+ pride were abundant …and not just from our special guest Poison Waters!
Guests donated gifts to local organizations Home Plate (Washington County), Outside In (Portland), and The Living Room (Clackamas County), which all support unhoused youth. Between bites of savory snacks and sweet treats, kids and adults constructed holiday cards to accompany the gifts and make the holidays a little brighter for housing unstable LGBTQIA+ youth.
Outgoing Board President Patt Bekken welcomed attendees and reminded everyone of PFLAG Portland’s vision: a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Board President George Rede then introduced board members—past, present, and new—who have worked in pursuit of this vision.
In his welcoming speech, Rede discussed his vision for the years to come, emphasizing a “Reset and Revitalize” effort that capitalizes on the expertise of veteran board members, cultivates fresh ideas and approaches from a new generation of leaders, and nourishes connections among the PFLAG community. In addition to our current programming of twice-monthly online Support Circles, George hopes to build a calendar of in-person social events.
The highlight for many was the “surprise” visit from Portland’s legendary drag icon Poison Waters. The personality, the experience, the legend—Poison brought her Louis Vuitton handbag and her fire for PFLAG. She shared the importance of knowing that the world has a place for all of us and encouraged everyone to stand up and stand out: “Allyship is so important, but it doesn’t work if you keep it to yourself.”
Special thanks to Patt Bekken and Monica and Jeff Clark for organizing this festive event.