A Letter From The President

 Bob Dorr, PFLAG Omaha

 Posted on January 29, 2007

WE HAVE A REPLACEMENT, WE TESTED IT AND IT WORKS.
At Omaha PFLAG’s Feb. 8 meeting, we’ll show a DVD that deals with recent research into the origins of homosexuality. We wanted it to be our December program, but there was a technical flaw.

It shows a presentation by Dr. Cynthia Chappell to the Houston PFLAG Chapter. Dr. Chappell is professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Texas Health Science Center’s School of Public Health . She also is a PFLAG parent.

We will start with coffee and socializing at 6:30 p.m. , followed by support at 7 p.m. and the program at 8 p.m. Our meeting place is Mead Hall at the west end of First United Methodist Church , 70th and Cass Sts.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE at any PFLAG meeting are the first-timers who seek us out and come to a meeting in search of understanding and help. The newcomers find a warm group of people who want to help and will listen.

When the meeting ends, it’s a month until we meet again. PFLAG member Sandy Mishkin attended a recent PFLAG regional meeting in Chicago and returned to Omaha believing we need to do more to stay in touch with newcomers. Sandy has started calling newcomers between meetings to find out how they are doing—an important task.

ANOTHER ARTICLE in this newsletter gives information about a Feb. 14 Marriage Anti-Discrimination Action planned by Metropolitan Community Church . Same-sex couples and supporters will gather outside the City/County Building, 1819 Farnam St. , at 8:30 a.m. , and the group will proceed into the Douglas County Clerk’s office to apply for marriage licenses. The license requests, of course, will be denied. The purpose of the event is to focus attention on discrimination against same-sex couples.

Omaha PFLAGers have taken part as supporters in the past, and we will do so again this year. Come and join us.

ELSEWHERE IN THIS NEWSLETTER, check out information regarding three bills that have been introduced in this year’s Nebraska Legislature that are of special interest to gays-lesbians-bisexuals-transgenders and their allies. The bills involve anti-bullying, second-parent adoption and employment discrimination.

AND FINALLY, a Night of Heroes benefit for the GLBT Center Youth Program will be at 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at DC’s Saloon, 610 S. 14th St. If you can’t attend but would like to donate, send the gift to the Rainbow Outreach GLBT Center , P.O. Box 8583 , Omaha , NE 68108 or donate at www.rainbowoutreach.org


Bob Dorr,

Omaha PFLAG president