Immanuel Congregational Church
10 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105
During our meetings, there is no pressure to speak up or reveal anything beyond what you’re comfortable with. There is no pressure to become an activist, or even to become a member (see the How to Help menu above if you’re interested in these).
We’re here to provide support and celebrate successes along the way. You’ll find us a diverse, friendly and sympathetic group with a variety of experiences. We were once new to PFLAG and approached our first meeting with trepidation, so we know what it’s like. As parents, friends, and/or LGBTQ people, we share our journeys and learn from each other. Some of our stories may be helpful to you in sorting out your own possibly conflicting and painful feelings, and our speakers may give you helpful information and new insights.
We begin our meetings with brief introductions, simply saying who we are and what brings us to PFLAG – or you don’t have say anything at all, but it helps the group support one another if we can learn a bit about each other at this time. We then divide into smaller groups where we can more easily chat with one another and extend the support that is the main focus of our meetings. Meetings run from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Threats of violence and abusive language will not be tolerated.
We will also not tolerate discrimination of any kind on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national origin, ancestry, cultural background, religious affiliation or non-affiliation, HIV status, disability, or economic status.
If not, you may wonder what actually happens at our chapter support meetings. Do you have to talk? Do you have to announce that you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender – or that your son or daughter or sibling or parent is gay or trans? Do you have to become a member, sign up for a committee, or march in the next Gay Pride Parade? Will we ask you for money?
In fact, there is no pressure to speak up, or reveal anything beyond your own comfort level at our meetings. There is no pressure to become a PFLAG activist unless it’s something that you really are ready for and want to do. You may sign up to receive a complimentary copy of “Caring”, our chapter’s bi-monthly newsletter before deciding whether you want to join. PFLAG Hartford never shares its membership list with any other organization.
We are there to provide support for those in need. You’ll find us a diverse, very friendly and sympathetic group with a variety of experiences. We were once in your shoes and approached our first PFLAG meeting with trepidation. As parents, friends, and/or LGBTQ people, we now share our journeys and learn from each other. Some of our stories may be helpful to you in sorting out your own possibly conflicting and painful feelings. Our speakers may give you helpful information and new insights.
We are also there to celebrate your successes, and to help galvanize you into action when you are ready to take an active role in making our world a safer and healthier place for all our families. So don’t be shy – please join us! You’ll be glad you did, and we will be too!
We generally number between 50 – 70 people at our monthly meetings. We begin our meetings with brief introductions, simply saying who we are and what brings us to PFLAG. You will not be obligated to say anything at all, but it helps the group support one another if we can learn a bit about each other at this time. Then we often have a ten minute speaker and follow that up with an announcement time. We pass the hat for a voluntary donation and then take a brief break. We then divide into smaller groups where we can more easily dialogue with one another and extend the support that is the main focus of our meetings. We usually end our meetings at about 9:30 p.m.
Before the meeting and during the break we urge you to browse our extensive lending library. It is filled with excellent up-to-date resources for you to borrow. There are also free pamphlets and booklets from PFLAG National.
Guidelines for Conduct at Monthly Meetings of PFLAG Hartford
