June 2025: Leadership and Voluntarism.
I often marvel at the fact that PFLAG Portland is even a thing.
I mean, think back to a time 50 years ago when gay and lesbian people still lived in the shadows and the gay rights movement faced broad resistance.
In that hostile climate, two Portland couples, who had become active in LGBT issues after their lesbian daughters came out in the early ’70s, founded Parents of Gays in 1977. Group members voted to join the PFLAG National Network in 1981, and PFLAG Portland began its work in 1982.
And here we are, still at it 43 years later, providing a parents’ support group and a safe place for family, friends, and all members of the LGBTQ+ community to come together in community and conversation.
Over the years, discussion has swirled around topics like anti-gay ballot initiatives and same-sex marriage to transgender rights, gender-affirming health care, and a new wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation and executive orders.
I’m reminded of the unwavering love for their children that drove those early activists every time I step into a meeting room to participate in a Support Circle. Alongside millennials and Gen Xers, I often see older attendees, now in their mid- to late 70s, many of whom have served our chapter as board members and longtime volunteers. They are living testaments to our history of LGBTQ+ support.
It’s this combination of vision, compassion, and service to others that has kept PFLAG going through the decades, always advocating for a fairer, more inclusive world and constantly adapting to the times, whether it’s a global pandemic, a shift in programming, or the technology we use to communicate with each other.
Now, as we approach the start of another Pride season, it’s a good time to look back with appreciation for the work of those who came before us, as well as look ahead to fresh opportunities for leadership and voluntarism.
Speaking from the vantage point of board president, I can tell you that virtually everything we do at the chapter level is the product of someone’s volunteer labor.
I’m indebted to the five individuals currently serving with me on the board. Without paid staff or a physical office, they give their time each month for a virtual board meeting and to lead our online Support Circles and in-person Chapter Meetings. Together, we organize programs, staff tabling events, manage the chapter’s finances, and participate in regional and national PFLAG meetings. All five work full-time and four of them are parents of transgender children.
But we don’t and can’t do it all.
Just as the early founders of PFLAG relied on fellow parents, we look to those of you who attend our gatherings for help in numerous ways: tabling at Pride events, set-up and teardown at chapter meetings, spreading the word about our work in the community, and annual membership donations.
We’ve done a lot since coming out of Covid to regain our footing, and I’m proud of the many ways we’ve renewed or expanded our community involvement.
Earlier this year, we teamed up with two advocacy organizations to present a webinar on transgender issues; we also revived our GSA mini-grants program to support queer students and their allies. We are currently working out the details of a shared “youth tent” space at this year’s Portland Pride Festival with youth-oriented organizations; exploring the possibility of a scholarship program; and considering ways to restructure our chapter leadership.
Foremost in our discussions is the idea of adding additional board positions tied to specific roles and responsibilities (for example, social media, marketing, fundraising, volunteer coordinator). As we move forward in the process, we will keep you apprised of the specifics. We also invite you to think of ways in which you can help PFLAG grow and prosper into the future.
You don’t need to be a board member to be a leader in this organization. There’s plenty to be done. Please know we welcome however and whenever you are able to help. Email us at info@pflagpdx.org.
With gratitude,
George Rede