Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, PFLAG, is an organization that is intended to create a platform for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families to come together. A chapter for PFLAG was chartered in Hammond, Louisiana.
The Treasurer of Hammond’s new chapter of PFLAG Katherine Drew-Jones spoke on what made her and others want to have the organization.
“Several of the members are a part of the Hammond Unitarian Church, and we were talking after service one evening about how there is little to no support in Hammond or the Tangipahoa area for people in the LGBT community,” said Drew-Jones.
Drew-Jones discussed the purpose of having a local PFLAG chapter.
“The purpose of the organization is to provide support for our local LGBT community as well as educate the community at large of LGBT issues,” said Drew-Jones.
PFLAG Hammond officially became a chapter on Sept. 30, 2017. Meetings are held at 407 East Charles St. at 1 p.m. on the last Saturday of every month. During each meeting, everyone introduces themself. They pledge their confidentiality so they feel more comfortable with sharing. Then, they have a check-in making sure everyone is all right, giving people the opportunity to voice any problems they have or issues they want to discuss with the group. A speaker usually comes out, which is part of the educational part of the meeting, and talks about various topics to the group.
Drew-Jones explained how having this organization will benefit the community.
“We understand that your kid came out to you,” said Drew-Jones. “It’s OK. You’re going to be OK. We are going to be OK together.”