Welcome to the Tacoma, Washington chapter of PFLAG, supporting the families of LGBTQ and gender non-conforming people, their allies and their community.
PFLAG is a volunteer organization with locations throughout the USA and other parts of the world. We promote the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning persons, their families and friends. Please note that our primary goal is to provide education and emotional support. Due to limited resources, we are cannot provide financial support to individuals.
PFLAG is a volunteer organization with locations throughout the USA and other parts of the world. We promote the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning persons, their families and friends. Please note that our primary goal is to provide education and emotional support. Due to limited resources, we are cannot provide financial support to individuals.
Upcoming Meeting: May 13
Guest Speaker: Michelle Mary Schaefer
This meeting will have ASL interpreters.
Email us to join the meeting
Michelle Mary Schaefer, an Artist... Actress, Screenwriter, Playwright, Creator, Producer, Director, and Director of Artistic Sign Language who happens to be Deaf and in the LGBTQ+ community. She doesn't allow her Deafness stop her from following her dreams or her passions as she stays authentic throughout her journey.
Born hearing, she became Deaf due to a medical error caused by the nurse. However, Dr. Alex Haller (of Johns Hopkins) saved Michelle Mary Schaefer's life. She might have lost her hearing, but gained life. Dr. Haller knew that Schaefer was full of life, and determination, which would no doubt lead her to success. All these years later he is right.
Now, with Schaefer's college degrees such as Associate of Arts in Theatre, Bachelor of Science in Corporate Communications/Screenwriting, and Masters of Science in Deaf Education [and life experience!], she continues her journey. She values Authenticity, Authentic Stories onstage and onscreen which she turns into writing to tell her stories, sharing parts of her life experiences within several character(s) from her scripts. Michelle Mary Schaefer never knew she would be where she is, but is beyond PROUD of her own determination and passion, which she had since she was four, and it shows. Follow your Dreams, Passions, and Never Give up Something that Matters to You.
www.michellemaryschaefer.com
PFLAG Tacoma meets every month @ 7pm. Want to join the support group each month? We'd love to meet you!! Join us via Zoom by clicking here!
Guest Speaker: Michelle Mary Schaefer
This meeting will have ASL interpreters.
Email us to join the meeting
Michelle Mary Schaefer, an Artist... Actress, Screenwriter, Playwright, Creator, Producer, Director, and Director of Artistic Sign Language who happens to be Deaf and in the LGBTQ+ community. She doesn't allow her Deafness stop her from following her dreams or her passions as she stays authentic throughout her journey.
Born hearing, she became Deaf due to a medical error caused by the nurse. However, Dr. Alex Haller (of Johns Hopkins) saved Michelle Mary Schaefer's life. She might have lost her hearing, but gained life. Dr. Haller knew that Schaefer was full of life, and determination, which would no doubt lead her to success. All these years later he is right.
Now, with Schaefer's college degrees such as Associate of Arts in Theatre, Bachelor of Science in Corporate Communications/Screenwriting, and Masters of Science in Deaf Education [and life experience!], she continues her journey. She values Authenticity, Authentic Stories onstage and onscreen which she turns into writing to tell her stories, sharing parts of her life experiences within several character(s) from her scripts. Michelle Mary Schaefer never knew she would be where she is, but is beyond PROUD of her own determination and passion, which she had since she was four, and it shows. Follow your Dreams, Passions, and Never Give up Something that Matters to You.
www.michellemaryschaefer.com
PFLAG Tacoma meets every month @ 7pm. Want to join the support group each month? We'd love to meet you!! Join us via Zoom by clicking here!
MOD Pizza is donating back to Tacoma PFLAG -
you can help by eating :)
On Monday, May 10th MOD will donate 20% of Takeout, Delivery & Pick up orders to Tacoma PFLAG.
May 10th
@
MOD Pizza, 3626 Market Place W, University Place
Please help us by RSVPing to save the date
and inviting a friend (or two) to eat with you!
RSVP & details here: www.groupraise.com/events/188830
you can help by eating :)
On Monday, May 10th MOD will donate 20% of Takeout, Delivery & Pick up orders to Tacoma PFLAG.
May 10th
@
MOD Pizza, 3626 Market Place W, University Place
Please help us by RSVPing to save the date
and inviting a friend (or two) to eat with you!
RSVP & details here: www.groupraise.com/events/188830
Gender Institute: For General Professionals
Thursday, May 6
The Gender Institute is designed with a broad professional perspective in mind.Whether you are an educator, mental health professional, family/pediatric healthcare provider, or someone simply seeking a deeper understanding of gender, this event is for you.
Get your tickets today--> Sign up
Thursday, May 6
The Gender Institute is designed with a broad professional perspective in mind.Whether you are an educator, mental health professional, family/pediatric healthcare provider, or someone simply seeking a deeper understanding of gender, this event is for you.
Get your tickets today--> Sign up
Gender Spectrum works to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. In May we will launch a series of new groups focused on supporting families of Transgender and Gender Creative children and youth. Our support groups serve as connectors for families to build support networks, platforms for sharing lived experiences and spaces where families can learn new resources and strategies. We hope you will find a space that meets your needs and provides the support that will benefit you and your family.
PFLAG Seattle:
May 10
Guest Speaker: Joani Lea Jack
One of our PFLAG moms introduced us to Joani Lea Jack. Joani is a pediatrician and blogger who often writes about the science of sexuality and gender. We especially like her article "Unfolding Miracles: Human Sexuality." We invited her to be a guest speaker, and she said yes. She'll join us during the first hour of our May 10 meeting. Because Joani lives in Tennessee, which is in the Eastern time zone, we're going to start this meeting at 6 p.m. instead of the usual 7 o'clock start.
We're excited to hear what Joani has to say, and we think you will be too. You can sign up to join us on our website.
Our other May meetings are:
Wednesday, May 5, 7-9 p.m.
Tuesday, May 25, 7-9 p.m.
You can sign up for any, or all, meetings on our website.
May 10
Guest Speaker: Joani Lea Jack
One of our PFLAG moms introduced us to Joani Lea Jack. Joani is a pediatrician and blogger who often writes about the science of sexuality and gender. We especially like her article "Unfolding Miracles: Human Sexuality." We invited her to be a guest speaker, and she said yes. She'll join us during the first hour of our May 10 meeting. Because Joani lives in Tennessee, which is in the Eastern time zone, we're going to start this meeting at 6 p.m. instead of the usual 7 o'clock start.
We're excited to hear what Joani has to say, and we think you will be too. You can sign up to join us on our website.
Our other May meetings are:
Wednesday, May 5, 7-9 p.m.
Tuesday, May 25, 7-9 p.m.
You can sign up for any, or all, meetings on our website.
That’s right, it is time for Queer Prom!
This year Oasis is taking Queer Prom to the virtual realm but don’t worry we are bringing all the fun with us! For this Monster Mash to be a graveyard smash we only need one more thing: YOU!
The first 50 youth to sign up are guaranteed a swag bag with some ghoulish goodies! Everyone who RSVP’s will have access to at-home HIV testing and chances to win one of our raffle prize baskets that are so great you'll be howling at the moon if you win. Click below to sign up now before the zombies eat your brain!
RSVP NOW!
Uprising: Protecting Transgender Lives [Online]Continuing Education
Saturdays, May 15 & 22, 2021, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | 6 CEUs or PDUsThis two-part workshop with Jenn Burleton of TransActive Gender Project and attorney Judah Largent, JD will focus on the current state of legal protections for transgender people at the federal and state level (for Oregon and Washington).
Participants will examine recent court rulings related to Title IX, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Equal Protection Clause of 14th Amendment, and engage in interactive discussions on the safety of gender diverse, nonbinary and transgender people based upon a range of both mutable and immutable characteristics.
Participants will also learn effective ways in which to advocate for trans, nonbinary and gender diverse children and youth using these protections when engaging with schools, communities, and those promoting anti-trans tactics and ideologies.
Attendees will leave with a comprehensive understanding of how both Constitutional rights and legislative laws protect transgender and gender nonconforming individuals from discriminatory and oppressive practices, including:
Saturdays, May 15 & 22, 2021, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | 6 CEUs or PDUsThis two-part workshop with Jenn Burleton of TransActive Gender Project and attorney Judah Largent, JD will focus on the current state of legal protections for transgender people at the federal and state level (for Oregon and Washington).
Participants will examine recent court rulings related to Title IX, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Equal Protection Clause of 14th Amendment, and engage in interactive discussions on the safety of gender diverse, nonbinary and transgender people based upon a range of both mutable and immutable characteristics.
Participants will also learn effective ways in which to advocate for trans, nonbinary and gender diverse children and youth using these protections when engaging with schools, communities, and those promoting anti-trans tactics and ideologies.
Attendees will leave with a comprehensive understanding of how both Constitutional rights and legislative laws protect transgender and gender nonconforming individuals from discriminatory and oppressive practices, including:
- The rights of students in both public and private schools to express their gender identity as they experience it
- The rights of parents/caregivers to provide their transgender-spectrum children with the affirming social, educational and healthcare support they need
- The obligation of child-serving agencies and institutions to meet the holistic needs of transgender and gender diverse children/youth in their care
Honoring Our AAPI PFLAG Families
Last year, filmmaker Stephanie Tran (they/them), a young, queer, Vietnamese filmmaker, approached PFLAG National with an idea for a film to amplify and honor LGBTQ+ Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voices. Then COVID hit, and the way films were being made had to change quickly, putting the project on pause. We are so glad that, one year later, Stephanie is finally able to bring their vision to life. "This film," said Stephanie, "is extremely important to me because I hardly ever see myself represented in the media. It is my dream and my life's goal to change that."
We are #PFLAGProud to elevate our beloved AAPI families—and Stephanie's work—in honor of AAPI Heritage Month.
Watch "A Place to Call Home."
Last year, filmmaker Stephanie Tran (they/them), a young, queer, Vietnamese filmmaker, approached PFLAG National with an idea for a film to amplify and honor LGBTQ+ Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voices. Then COVID hit, and the way films were being made had to change quickly, putting the project on pause. We are so glad that, one year later, Stephanie is finally able to bring their vision to life. "This film," said Stephanie, "is extremely important to me because I hardly ever see myself represented in the media. It is my dream and my life's goal to change that."
We are #PFLAGProud to elevate our beloved AAPI families—and Stephanie's work—in honor of AAPI Heritage Month.
Watch "A Place to Call Home."
MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE
In connection with the upcoming Rise Up exhibit, Drag-tastic Summer Camp: The Art of Drag, we are calling all current and future kings and queens to explore their self-expression in MoPOP’s week-long, summer camp!
Dates: July 26th through the 30th
Time: 8:45am–4:00pm
Who: Youth, grades 9–12.
Led by Seattle performer Joshua Hancock, youth will investigate drag history and work together with local artists to create their own personas. Choose their name, explore hair and makeup techniques, learn how to shop for clothing, and develop their character’s stage presence. We will explore the exhibit, take field trips to some of Seattle’s important drag locations, and go shopping for costume pieces at local thrift stores. At the end of the week, we’ll celebrate our new drag personas with a private showcase! Youth of all gender expressions and identities are welcome at this drag beginner’s camp.
Our wonderful teaching artist, Joshua Hancock has been working in theatre, burlesque, and drag for 30 years. He believes drag is for everyone, it is more than one thing, and can be used to heal, bring joy, sadness, and love to people. He has a master’s degree from Texas Woman's University in Theatre, and has worked in Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Czech Republic, and coast to coast in the United States. Joshua bases his drag character Parton, on none other than Dolly Parton, and uses Parton's voice to spread love and open minds.
All MoPOP’s summer youth programs offer early bird pricing and scholarships are available! For more information or to please visit our website or email us at Education@MoPOP.org. Please feel free to forward this email to whoever you think might be interested and spread the word about this great opportunity!
Best,
ERIN SHUPE (She/Her)
Education & Programs Coordinator
MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE
D: 206-262-3239
120 6th Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109
MoPOP.org
MISSION STATEMENT
The Museum of Pop Culture’s mission is to make creative expression a life-changing force by offering experiences that inspire and connect our communities.
In connection with the upcoming Rise Up exhibit, Drag-tastic Summer Camp: The Art of Drag, we are calling all current and future kings and queens to explore their self-expression in MoPOP’s week-long, summer camp!
Dates: July 26th through the 30th
Time: 8:45am–4:00pm
Who: Youth, grades 9–12.
Led by Seattle performer Joshua Hancock, youth will investigate drag history and work together with local artists to create their own personas. Choose their name, explore hair and makeup techniques, learn how to shop for clothing, and develop their character’s stage presence. We will explore the exhibit, take field trips to some of Seattle’s important drag locations, and go shopping for costume pieces at local thrift stores. At the end of the week, we’ll celebrate our new drag personas with a private showcase! Youth of all gender expressions and identities are welcome at this drag beginner’s camp.
Our wonderful teaching artist, Joshua Hancock has been working in theatre, burlesque, and drag for 30 years. He believes drag is for everyone, it is more than one thing, and can be used to heal, bring joy, sadness, and love to people. He has a master’s degree from Texas Woman's University in Theatre, and has worked in Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Czech Republic, and coast to coast in the United States. Joshua bases his drag character Parton, on none other than Dolly Parton, and uses Parton's voice to spread love and open minds.
All MoPOP’s summer youth programs offer early bird pricing and scholarships are available! For more information or to please visit our website or email us at Education@MoPOP.org. Please feel free to forward this email to whoever you think might be interested and spread the word about this great opportunity!
Best,
ERIN SHUPE (She/Her)
Education & Programs Coordinator
MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE
D: 206-262-3239
120 6th Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109
MoPOP.org
MISSION STATEMENT
The Museum of Pop Culture’s mission is to make creative expression a life-changing force by offering experiences that inspire and connect our communities.
Camp Ten Trees is a nonprofit residential camp in Washington State. Camp Ten Trees was founded in 2000 by four co-directors and offered its first summer camp session in August 2001, serving just 20 campers. Since that time, we have served campers from throughout the United States and beyond. Camp Ten Trees is a place for diverse youth who share common experiences to come together and form a community that is truly their own. In addition to traditional camp activities like swimming, archery, and nature hikes, campers engage in age-appropriate workshops exploring identity, issues of oppression/privilege, youth coalition building, social justice, and more.
Camp Ten Trees is a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 01-0923793). Donations to the organization are deductible to the extent permitted by law. Donations, grants, and other contributions allow Camp Ten Trees to maintain accessibility, high-quality programming, and low costs for children, youth, and their families. Camp Ten Trees was one of the first of its kind in the world and still offers the Pacific Northwest’s only residential summer camp programming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and their allies and for children/youth of LGBTQ or non-traditional families. Consider donating now!
Parent Support Program
Are you a parental figure of a child who identifies as trans or nonbinary?
Consider getting support from the Parent Support Program.
This program is based on psychological research and can help support you through your process. The program is currently being studied for its effectiveness. Click the link below for more information and to participate in the study.
Bit.ly/pspstudy
Or check out the study Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/parentsupportpsp
You must be the parent or primary caregiver of a trans or nonbinary child age 5 or older to participate.
By participating you will receive either a $10 Amazon gift card or $10 Target gift card for completing a one month follow up survey and another $10 gift card for completing a two-month follow up survey. Alternately, you will have the option to donate your earnings to a nonprofit that supports parents of trans youth.
Participants will be randomly assigned to complete the Parents Support Program or to wait for one month to complete the program. The Parent Support Program is an online program with 3 modules that include videos, educational materials, and writing activities designed to support parents of trans youth. All participants will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires prior to completing the program, and at one and two months after starting the program. Each survey is anticipated to take 10 -15 minutes to complete.
If you have any questions feel free to email me at parentsupportprogram@paloaltou.edu. This study has been approved by the Palo Alto University Institutional Review Board.
Thank you!
Em Matsuno, Ph.D.
Consider getting support from the Parent Support Program.
This program is based on psychological research and can help support you through your process. The program is currently being studied for its effectiveness. Click the link below for more information and to participate in the study.
Bit.ly/pspstudy
Or check out the study Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/parentsupportpsp
You must be the parent or primary caregiver of a trans or nonbinary child age 5 or older to participate.
By participating you will receive either a $10 Amazon gift card or $10 Target gift card for completing a one month follow up survey and another $10 gift card for completing a two-month follow up survey. Alternately, you will have the option to donate your earnings to a nonprofit that supports parents of trans youth.
Participants will be randomly assigned to complete the Parents Support Program or to wait for one month to complete the program. The Parent Support Program is an online program with 3 modules that include videos, educational materials, and writing activities designed to support parents of trans youth. All participants will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires prior to completing the program, and at one and two months after starting the program. Each survey is anticipated to take 10 -15 minutes to complete.
If you have any questions feel free to email me at parentsupportprogram@paloaltou.edu. This study has been approved by the Palo Alto University Institutional Review Board.
Thank you!
Em Matsuno, Ph.D.
Gender Spectrum is getting ready to launch a digital campaign focused on parents of transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive youth & we're excited to give y’all a heads up before it even launches.
Next month we will be sharing #TRANSparent stories from parents like many of you. We are collecting video submissions from parents in the Gender Spectrum community that want to share open and honest (“transparent”) experiences navigating their child’s gender journey during the pandemic.
Being able to share stories from parents in our community will not only build additional community, parent affinity, resources, support, and more, but we also hope sharing these stories across our social media platforms and mail servers will help Gender Spectrum gain additional avenues of support — anything from an increase in social media followers to financial contributions would be amazing in helping us continue our programming!
If you are interested in learning more about how you can share your #TRANSparent story, please click here for video submission guidelines and directions. If you are more interested in hearing from others, follow us on social media using the links below and stay tuned for additional emails.
Thanks for being a part of our ever-expanding parent community.
Corey Pessin (he/him)
Development Coordinator
Next month we will be sharing #TRANSparent stories from parents like many of you. We are collecting video submissions from parents in the Gender Spectrum community that want to share open and honest (“transparent”) experiences navigating their child’s gender journey during the pandemic.
Being able to share stories from parents in our community will not only build additional community, parent affinity, resources, support, and more, but we also hope sharing these stories across our social media platforms and mail servers will help Gender Spectrum gain additional avenues of support — anything from an increase in social media followers to financial contributions would be amazing in helping us continue our programming!
If you are interested in learning more about how you can share your #TRANSparent story, please click here for video submission guidelines and directions. If you are more interested in hearing from others, follow us on social media using the links below and stay tuned for additional emails.
Thanks for being a part of our ever-expanding parent community.
Corey Pessin (he/him)
Development Coordinator
You are invited to participate in a brief online survey (average time: 15-20 minutes) that aims to learn more about the experiences of LGBTQ+ people of color (POC) who use dating/social applications (“apps” or “hookup apps”), including how they navigate instances of racism on said apps. Examples of these apps include Grindr, Tinder, Scruff, Hornet, Bumble, and many others.
To participate, you must meet the following criteria:
1. be at least 18 years old or older;
2. live in the United States of America;
3. identify as a LGBTQ+ POC;
4. have used a dating/social app (e.g., Grindr, Tinder, Scruff, etc.) within the past 12 months.
If you qualify for this study and choose to participate, you will be asked to complete several questionnaires that relate to your use of dating/social apps, racism, mental health, coping strategies, and how you view your racial/ethnic identity. Responses to the survey are anonymous and you are free to stop participating at any time.
Participants who qualify for and complete this study are eligible to enter a drawing for 1 of 14 $25 Amazon.comgift cards.
Thank you for considering this research opportunity. If you have any questions, please contact David Hutsell atdhutsell@spalding.edu or Dr. DeDe Wohlfarth at dwohlfarth@spalding.edu. This study has been approved by the Spalding University Research Ethics Committee (REC; Study #: 202057).
If you would like to learn more information, participate, and/or share this study with others, please use the following url link: https://lgbtq-dating-app-study.questionpro.com/ You can also referenced the attached PDF.
Thank you,
- David
David Hutsell, M.A.
He/Him/His (What's This?)
Doctoral Candidate
Spalding University
School of Professional Psychology
To participate, you must meet the following criteria:
1. be at least 18 years old or older;
2. live in the United States of America;
3. identify as a LGBTQ+ POC;
4. have used a dating/social app (e.g., Grindr, Tinder, Scruff, etc.) within the past 12 months.
If you qualify for this study and choose to participate, you will be asked to complete several questionnaires that relate to your use of dating/social apps, racism, mental health, coping strategies, and how you view your racial/ethnic identity. Responses to the survey are anonymous and you are free to stop participating at any time.
Participants who qualify for and complete this study are eligible to enter a drawing for 1 of 14 $25 Amazon.comgift cards.
Thank you for considering this research opportunity. If you have any questions, please contact David Hutsell atdhutsell@spalding.edu or Dr. DeDe Wohlfarth at dwohlfarth@spalding.edu. This study has been approved by the Spalding University Research Ethics Committee (REC; Study #: 202057).
If you would like to learn more information, participate, and/or share this study with others, please use the following url link: https://lgbtq-dating-app-study.questionpro.com/ You can also referenced the attached PDF.
Thank you,
- David
David Hutsell, M.A.
He/Him/His (What's This?)
Doctoral Candidate
Spalding University
School of Professional Psychology
Want to learn more about pronouns and their importance? Click the picture to educate yourself and those you love.
Click the image above to learn more about the Pride Foundation's Scholarship program!!
Tacoma PFLAG aims to be inclusive of our Deaf & Hard of Hearing Queer community members at all meetings. ASL interpreting is available, as well as captioning. Please let us know your accessibility needs if you are attending so that we are appropriately inclusive and equitable.
Click the rainbow logo to the right to learn some LGBTQ+ signs in American Sign Language! --->
Click the rainbow logo to the right to learn some LGBTQ+ signs in American Sign Language! --->