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| PFLAG Charleston t-shirts are $15 each, which makes our chapter a little bit of money and gets the word out. If you'd like one, email us at pflagcharlestonil@gmail.com |
In keeping with PFLAG’s mission of providing support and advocacy for people who are gender/sexually diverse, PFLAG Charleston maintains an emergency fund to provide assistance to LGBTQA people who face short-term crises and are in need of emergency funds. These funds may be used for urgent needs such as payments on rent, phone, utilities, transportation, school-related expenses, etc. Those in need may apply by contacting PFLAG at pflagcharlestonil@gmail.com
Emergency Fund Application Guidelines
· Anyone who identifies as gender or sexually diverse may apply for emergency funds. Priority will be given to those applicants who have been disenfranchised from support systems because of their gender or sexual orientation.
· Preference will be given to those who reside in the Charleston-Mattoon area.
· Applicants are encouraged to seek additional support from other available avenues, including community resources. PFLAG Charleston will make information available about these resources if needed.
· Applicants may be asked to provide proof of need (e.g., past-due notices, etc.).
· Unless an exemption is granted for extenuating circumstances, no applicant will be granted more than $300 in a twelve month period.
· In times when the emergency fund balance is less than $500, the chapter will not grant more than 25% of the chapter’s available funds to any applicant.
· If possible, applicants are encouraged to pay back all or a portion of funds granted so that other applicants may be assisted.
Equality Illinois
Equality Illinois builds a better Illinois by advancing equal treatment and social justice through education, advocacy and protection of the rights of the LGBT community and promotes legislation to protect the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals with regard to safe schools, hospital visitation, inheritance rights, bereavement leave and the many other rights that affect LGBT citizens across Illinois.
The Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity at Eastern Illinois University strives to support an open, welcoming, and collaborative campus environment for students, faculty, staff, and friends. Aiming to advance our University’s mission of being committed to diversity and inclusion, the LGBTQA Resource Center brings together campus, community, and national resources for all LGBTQA individuals seeking advice, information, or guidance.
PFLAG National created the Cultivating Respect: Safe Schools For All initiative, which seeks to provide support, education, and advocacy to students, parents, families, friends, and educators to help them create a learning environment that is conducive to the educational success of all students. - See more here. How to Start a GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) at School
http://www.accreditedschoolson
LGBTQ Student Resources and Support
Within this guide, LGBTQ students can learn about the resources and support systems available to them to assist in navigating both high school and college environments.
Straight Spouse Network
The Straight Spouse Network (SSN) is an international organization that provides personal, confidential support and information to heterosexual spouses/partners, current or former, of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender mates and mixed-orientation or transgender/non-transgender couples for constructively resolving coming-out problems.
In 1986, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (now Parents, Families, and Friends –PFLAG) formed a Task Force for Spouses of Lesbians and Gays, with regional contacts, a few support groups across the country and England, and a packet of procedures and article reprints for group facilitators. In 1991, the leaders of the Task Force and an independent National Organization of Straight Spouses that had a newsletter turned them over to Amity Buxton, who combined and expanded the organizations into a worldwide network of support, education, and advocacy for straight spouses of gay, lesbian, or bisexual partners and mixed-orientation couples.
More specifically, we are:
- Current and former straight spouses and partners of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
- Post disclosure couples
- Our families and friends
LGBTQIA+ Friendly Alcohol and Rehab Centers
Find a rehab center near you.
How to "Ally" for the Holidays
While there are countless great articles about how LGBTQ people can better handle holiday stress and conflict, there isn’t a lot out there about how allies can be part of creating a supportive and inclusive space for their friends at this time of year.
Why not try out (and share) a few of these suggestions for being a great ally to your LGBTQ friends at the holidays?
PFLAG National offers free pdf versions of their booklets.
Free Booklets:
Schools in Transition: A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools
Books recommended by local members
The ABCs of LGBT+ by Ashley Mardell
Queer : the ultimate LGBT guide for teens by Kathy Belge
A queer history of the United States by Michael Bronski
This book is Gay by Juno Dawson
Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today, by Adam Hamilton
Torn, Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays vs Christians Debate, by Justin Lee
God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same Sex Relationships, by Matthew Vines
Changing Our Minds, by David Gushee
Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same-Sex Relationships, by James Brownson
Mom, I'm Gay: Loving Your LGBTQ Child Without Sacrificing Your Faith, by Susan Cottrell
A Letter to My Congregation, by Ken Wilson
Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality, by Joseph Schwartz
The Gender Book, by Mel Reiff Hill and Jay Mays
Appropriate for junior high and up, full of drawings and easy to understand information