Open Door Youth Center

Published on January 11, 2012 in General. 0 Comments 
Please read the following before proceeding into the Open Door Youth Center Web Site:
  • The Open Door Youth Center and its sponsors, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Bloomington-Normal (PFLAG B-N) and the McLean County AIDS Task Force (MCATF) presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this Web site, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented on cars sale websites in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
  • This site contains messages about HIV prevention and sexual minorities that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
  • Since HIV infection is spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics.
  • HIV prevention materials funded by CDC must be approved by local program review panels. However, the materials may be considered controversial by some viewers.
  • I don’t wish to visit this site: If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please leave the website.

The Problem of Silence

Published on January 11, 2012 in PFLAG. 0 Comments

In America today there are millions of parents with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or questioning (GLBTQ) daughters and sons who are victims of social, political and economic oppression. GLBTQ people in many communities, like cougar dating community, for example, are still obstructed by prejudice in their pursuit of happiness and in striving to live their lives with openness and dignity. But homosexuals are not the only victims of this oppression: it touches their friends and families.

We, as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, feel that the time is right to join together to appeal to the public conscience in order to achieve equal opportunities for our daughters and sons. We challenge society’s status quo attitudes. We have a commitment to actively help our GLBTQ daughters and sons by working for the same basic human rights, liberties and opportunities for them that are enjoyed by others. As parents of GLBTQ people, new windows of understanding have been opened to us which have enriched our lives. We want to bring this understanding to the community.

What PFLAG Does

Published on January 11, 2012 in PFLAG. 0 Comments

We Heal Families

PFLAG maintains that knowledge and dialogue is the path to understanding and acceptance of our children. PFLAG helps families by providing information that heals.

  • 309-827-4005: Our information and support help-line

  • Support: Monthly support group meetings

  • Publications: Issues facing our GLBTQ loved ones

We Educate Society

Our society’s myths and misconceptions about sexual orientation are fueled by ignorance. PFLAG combats ignorance with the truth about sexual orientation by distributing information drawn from medical, religious and scientific communities. PFLAG will change society’s attitude toward our GLBTQ loved ones through:

  • The Media: Interviews of parents and friends on local and national television, radio and in print

  • Speakers: Educate society by speaking at schools, colleges, churches and businesses offering even used Toyota

We Advocate Equal Rights

  • Having our voices heard is what advocating equal rights is all about. As loving parents and friends we must secure equal rights for our GLBTQ loved ones.

  • We help our members speak out for change by providing direction, expertise, tools and credibility.

  • We maintain an information base that can be used by members as a resource for future change.

  • We respond to issues in the media and government through press releases, press conferences, and letterwriting campaigns.

THE PFLAG Mission

Published on January 11, 2012 in PFLAG. 0 Comments

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families, and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. PFLAG provides an opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is’ healthy and respectful of human diversity.

As amended by the PFLAG membership, September 12, 1998.

We Have Learned:

Our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning (GLBTQ) daughters and sons come from all kinds of families. There is NO Pattern.

We Have Learned:

Our GLBTQ sons and daughters are the only child, the youngest/middle/ oldest child, one of twins. In some families one child is GLBTQ, in other families, two or more. There is NO Pattern.

We Have Learned:

To be free from the burden of guilt for our children’s natural, normal sexual orientation.

We Have Learned:

  • To recognize our children’s expression of love as honest and moral.

  • One day society will accept all of its members as equals regardless of sexual orientation.

  • One day our daughters and sons, brothers and sisters, spouses and friends, will be accepted as the valuable human beings they are, respected for their intelligence, talents, and skills.

Until That Day, There is PFLAG!