A Letter From The President

It Takes Commitment, but It’s Worth It

 Bob Dorr, PFLAG Omaha

 Posted on July 20, 2007

Omaha PFLAG gives high priority to educating future teachers—and other audiences as well—about the bullying of gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender youths.

GLBT junior and senior high schoolers, as well as other vulnerable youths, routinely get picked on--some so often and so severely that they even contemplate suicide. That shouldn’t happen. Every student deserves an equal chance at a good education.

On Saturday, Sept. 8, PFLAG and our partner GLSEN will train presenters who deliver our Safe Schools message and panelists who tell their personal stories. Our Speakers Bureau training will take place at First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St., in Mead Hall (separate entrance, church’s west end).

Come at 8:30 a.m. for coffee, orange juice, donuts and bagels. Presenter training will start at 9 a.m., with panelist instruction beginning about 10:30 a.m. We will wrap up at noon.

Most of our appearances are at colleges and universities. This isn’t the easiest form of GLBT volunteerism. It might involve using vacation time, or giving up lunch, to appear on a daytime panel. But it’s worth it. When we can put a human face on our cause, stereotypes are destroyed. Most college students seem especially open to our message.

Who should attend the Sept. 8 training? Those who want to learn more about serving as a presenter or panelist. We also are asking veteran panelists and presenters to attend this once-a-year training. Plan to attend the full morning’s training. We have picked a day when the Cornhuskers are away from Lincoln.

We need an approximate count of those coming. Email your intention to come to Betty Dorr: bobcdorr@cox.net

Or to Suzy Adams: suzy1224@yahoo.com

THANKS TO ALL who phoned and emailed their U.S. senators to press for passage of the gay-and-transgender-inclusive hate crimes bill. That bill, which became a proposed amendment to the Senate defense bill, unfortunately was put on hold and probably won’t come up for a vote until this fall. The hate crimes measure reportedly has the support of more than 60 senators, but still might be attached to another bill because it could face a White House veto as a stand-alone piece of legislation.

OUR NEW FOLLOWUP coordinator who will touch base with people after their first visit to a monthly PFLAG support meeting is Amy O’Connor. It is important to keep people coming back. Amy has an important task.

PFLAG NEEDS ONE MORE telephone Help Line volunteer to make Coordinator Kathy England’s job a little easier. If you’re interested, phone Kathy at 292-1312.

Bob Dorr, Omaha PFLAG president