Hi! I’m Beck (they/them) —
A nonbinary/trans/queer person who’s been calling Portland home for the past nine years. I’m also a parent to a wonderful elementary schooler, and like most parents, I aim to be a supportive and loving parent to my child. Since my family lives far away, I am working on building local community here in Portland.
Why do I come to PFLAG Portland meetings and events?
When I think about PFLAG, in short, I think about LOVE. The organization is deeply grounded in love and in building local community — two values I want to surround myself with. PFLAG welcomes anyone who loves LGBTQ+ people, and it’s also a place for LGBTQ+ folks themselves to find local support and connection.
When I attend PFLAG in-person meetings, I feel a sense of local community love and support in the room. I know I’m in a place where I don’t have to explain what it is like to be a nonbinary parent, and yet when I do share my experiences, my stories are heard and my experiences are validated. That feeling of being seen and supported means so much to me.
I’m also glad to be connecting with some other LGBTQ+ parents at PFLAG meetings, as navigating parenthood as an LGBTQ+ person can be challenging.
What is my connection to PFLAG?
I’ve had deep respect for PFLAG ever since I saw how it supported my parents when I came out 15 years ago. They walked into their first PFLAG meeting with questions and uncertainty — and found a community of warmth, resources, and understanding. Within 6 months, they were volunteering at PFLAG table at the local Pride festival, offering hugs to LGBTQ+ folks of all ages : )
Even with that history, I hadn’t fully realized until recently that PFLAG isn’t only for parents and allies — it’s also a place where LGBTQ+ individuals themselves can find community and chosen family. When I saw an email this past April about PFLAG Portland’s new Trans Support Circle, I was intrigued. The message mentioned a trans speaker at that month’s meeting, and I thought, If they have a trans speaker and a Trans Support Circle, then people like me must be welcome.
What is PFLAG Portland’s New Trans Support Circle?
The Trans Support Circle is a welcoming space for trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive folks — and for the people who love them — to gather, share experiences, and support one another. These meetings take place immediately following the monthly In Person Chapter Meetings.
Right now, the trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse communities across the U.S. are facing unprecedented attacks. Even here in Oregon, where we have strong protections, those attacks still affect our lives — from where we live to how we access healthcare and how we move through the world. The only way we’ll get through this is together — as one community of family members, allies, and trans and gender-expansive folks standing side by side.
A message to the LGBTQIA+ community:
To my fellow LGBTQIA+ community members: You are not alone. Your identity doesn’t need to fit neatly into a box. No matter how you identify, there’s a place where you’ll be welcomed, supported, and loved for who you are at PFLAG Portland.
I hope to see you at our upcoming November 22 In Person Chapter Meeting or at another event soon. Come as you are and know that you belong here. Learn more at pflagpdx.org!