Some stories are not the perfect fairy tales.
That’s what the folks at Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) know only too well, and why the organization reaches out to communities through education.
Kathy Reim became involved about 30 years ago when her lesbian daughter came out. She and her husband Robert have been volunteers for PFLAG ever since.
She started a local chapter in her home town of Sedro-Woolley 10 years ago, and has since become the regional director volunteer for five Northwest states.
Reim will speak about PFLAG to families, friends and allies of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals at a community conversation from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 at Langley United Methodist Church.
“The mission is support and education,” Reim said.
“More information means people will be more supportive. We want to help people realize that they don’t have to live silently, in the dark. Everyone should be able to live freely and safely in a community and in the schools,” she said. “When our kids are safe, all kids are safe.”
The Reims, along with their daughter and her partner, are a family of faith and, while PFLAG is not affiliated with any religious group, can talk to families about faith concerns. Reim’s intention is to create a discussion where people can learn about the needs and goals for young people, for families and communities dealing with issues surrounding gay and lesbian lives.
“The heart of PFLAG is about story and listening,” Reim said.
“You realize that while you want your local community to be open, there is also a larger world there that you want to be safe and welcoming to your family as well,” she added.
Part of the discussion will focus on whether a PFLAG chapter on South Whidbey would be a good fit, and to give people the chance to ask the most painful questions.
“People should not have to choose between their faith and their sexual orientation,” Reim said.
“PFLAG is saying that there are communities that will be there for you. You should not have to give up family. But that is changing. We reunite a lot of families and bring people back together.”
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is a national nonprofit organization with more than 200,000 members and supporters in the United States. This vast grassroots network is cultivated, resourced and serviced by the PFLAG national office, located in Washington, D.C., the national board of directors and 13 regional directors.
Beyond her work as a volunteer for PFLAG, Reim is also a Pride Foundation board member. She is a former educator, a certified mediator and brings material and information useful for small groups and nonprofits on best practices, conflict resolution and working with volunteers.
“We are just regular folks and when people see that our lives are pretty much the same as theirs, they can be accepting,” Reim said.
“Gay and lesbian people just want to keep their jobs, take care of their kids and raise their dogs, just like everybody else.”
The meeting will be held in the Fireside Room of the church at Third Street and Anthes Avenue. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, e-mail Reim at kreim@earthlink.net.
