In this issue: June meeting, local events & resources

June 25, 2024, 7 PM Meeting:

Courageous Conversations:

An Approach to Tackling LGBTQ+ Phobias

Many of us have family members, friends, or co-workers who are unfamiliar with new ways of understanding and embracing a range of LGBTQ+ identities. Come learn about and practice some strategies for courageous, respectful conversations that can help people in your circles understand why we love and support our LGBTQ+ family and friends and potentially plant seeds to grow future allies. 

After the program presentation, we will hold space for confidential sharing and support. We welcome you at our events with no judgment and lots of love.

Meetings are held from 7-9 PM in the Campbell Room at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Avenue in Berkeley (look for the PFLAG banner). Masks are optional. We ask that you not attend if you are feeling unwell or if you've been in contact with anyone who is unwell. Between meetings, our board is still here to connect with you one-on-one. Email pflagoeb@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail at 510-562-7692 and we will call you back.

Opportunity for Californians to Take Action:

Contact your representatives and tell them to vote YES on the SAFETY Act! AB1955, the SAFETY Act, will ban harmful forced outing policies in California schools and ensure that parents and educators have the resources they need to support LGBTQ+ students. Thank you to the 19 California chapters - including PFLAG Oakland-East Bay! - who endorsed the SAFETY Act! Now, let’s keep up the pressure by urging your representatives to vote YES!

Selected June Pride Events:

Saturday, June 22, 11 AM - 4 PM, Side By Side's Queer Love Youth Pride, a youth-centered event with food, performances, and many ways to get involved. Location: Reach Ashland Youth Center, 16335 East 14th Street, Ashland (San Leandro). Learn more.

Monday, June 24, 8:30 PM

Doppelgängers³, a Frameline48 presentation at the New Parkway Theater. Email pflagoeb@gmail.com to request a discounted ticket. A French artist and educator takes a fascinating journey to build a new civilization on the moon that defies power structures and lets go of the constraints of borders, gender, and religion. Frameline will be presenting 11 days of world-renowned queer films, performances, and parties this month. Journey across the intersections of LGBTQ+ identities and to theaters around the Bay Area. Explore more at frameline.org and @framelinefest

Sunday, June 30, 10:30 AM - San Francisco Pride Parade - Join the march!

PFLAGers from all over Northern California are invited to march with representatives from our chapter and many other chapters to help celebrate PFLAG San Francisco's 30th anniversary. Sign up here to join us and receive the march details, including the assembly location and timing. Thank you to PFLAG San Francisco for organizing the multi-chapter PFLAG contingent!

Media Matters

Paul Kuntzler re-stages historic protest for gay rights in front of the White House. Kuntzler held a sign in front of the White House which read “Fifteen Million U.S. Homosexuals Protest Federal Treatment” — re-enacting a protest he participated in 59 years ago. Kuntzler is the last of the ten original participants from 1965 who is still alive.

New biography to be released chronicling life of openly gay reporter. Randy Shilts was the first openly gay person to write for the San Francisco Chronicle. He also wrote numerous books about the gay community, including The Mayor of Castro Street, a biography about Harvey Milk.

Oprah shares tribute to her brother for Pride Month. Oprah posted the tribute on her website as well as on Instagram, honoring her brother, Jeffrey Lee, who died of AIDS-related illness in 1989.



First transgender woman crowned Miss Maryland USA. Bailey Anne is the first openly trans woman, the first Asian-American, and the first military spouse to hold the title.

For Your Calendar - Our Summer Social

August Ice Cream Social, August 4, 1-3 PM

On Sunday, August 4, we will be holding an outdoor, in-person ice cream social for PFLAG families from 1-3 PM at a private home in Berkeley. Ice cream as well as a nondairy option will be available. Feel free to bring a snack to share. You can RSVP at pflagoeb@gmail.com to learn the address and share how many people will be in your party.

How to be an Ally: Videos

Here are three short videos that share basic explanations, tips on how to support your LGBTQ+ loved one, and what not to do.

The Basics of LGBTQ: explains what these letters mean (produced by Explainity channel).

The Range of Gender Identities: short animation featuring an African American family at the dinner table. (Amaze.org)

10 Things NOT to say to your LGBTQ Child (and 7 ways you can support them).

Dr. Tracey Marks, psychiatrist starts out with what not to say and why, then ends with seven ways to be supportive.

Local, Virtual Support Meetings

PFLAG San Francisco

PFLAG Lamorinda

PFLAG Concord/Clayton

Ongoing Events

• Town Youth Club (Second and Fourth Fridays)
• PFLAG's "Something to Talk About" (Monthly, Thursday at 1:30 PM)
• PFLAG Connects Communities: Moderated online meetings for Families of Color, Military Families, and Parents & Caregivers of Gender Diverse Youth
• PFLAG Connects: Gender Spectrum Parent Community (Third Monday, 5 PM PT)
• Pacific Center Peer Groups
• Oakland LGBTQ Center Events

LGBTQ+ Icons

Celebrating Pride Month

Marijane Meaker (aka M.E. Kerr)

Writing under various pen names, Marijane Meaker helped launch the lesbian pulp fiction genre. In 1952 using the name Vin Packer, she published Spring Fire about a sorority sister love affair. The book sold 1.5 million copies at a time when gays and lesbians were largely closeted. Using the name M.E. Kerr, she wrote young adult novels that explored a range of issues affecting teens, including mental health, sexism, and homophobia. Learn more.  

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