LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
PFLAG's Sussex County Chapter Reorganizes |
The local chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is still alive and kicking. According to current board member and a founding member Ken Mahan, "Over the past few months we have not held our regularly scheduled monthly meeting. We became a little disorganized when President Meredith Hunter resigned. However, the board has drawn together and scheduled a meeting for June 16th at Epworth United Methodist Church, 20 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach at 7:00 p.m." At that meeting the board will install a new president and begin the process of setting goals for the remainder of 1998. PFLAG Sussex County at Rehoboth has had great success with their top 1997 goal the continued development of a local PFLAG Youth Group. "Our main goal will continue to be to make certain our Youth Group continues to run smoothly", adds Mahan. "They didnt skip a beat. Even when we, the adults, ran around in circles, the youth group continued. They have really started to develop a good rapport." According to David Payne, a Youth Group leader, "It surprises me that the Youth Group has continued to be so strong. I feel that this shows there is a real need. They keep inviting more and more friends, and the group keeps on growing." In fact, another youth group from Wilmington came down to join the Sussex group meeting a few months ago. PFLAG member Glen Pruitt adds, "It was one of those Sunday afternoons in March when the temperature soared into the low 80s. We all met at the church, had some lunch, a few laughs, an HIV prevention message and then we headed to the beach. It was a wonderful day." The group meets at 2:00 p.m. every Sunday at the Epworth United Methodist Church. Anyone under 25 is invited to attend. PFLAG Sussex County at Rehoboth developed a pledge to the area youth to maintain a safe environment where gay, bisexual and transgendered youth can meet to laugh, cry, learn, discuss their world and just be themselves. Most times the group has been just fun fellowship; however, there have been some serious moments. What goes on in the meetings is kept strictly confidential, so no details can be discussed outside of the group. Mahan, while no longer a youth himself, has lived the life of a gay youth, "I was scared almost to death that someone would find out that I was gay. I was told that ITS WRONG!, GAY IS NOT NORMAL!." Scared to death you say? "Yes. Death! I thought about it. But obviously I didnt do it. I dont really like to think about those confusing days. I prefer to focus my energy on others. Actually, most people dont realize that the teen suicide rate among gay youth is phenomenally high. We at PFLAG want to do our part to change these statistics if we can and I believe we can." The youth group maintains a safe environment by asking two adults to meet with them weekly. Adult supervision is key, and meeting in a church adds access to trained clergy. According to Brian, a youth group member, "Epworth has been great to us. They give us a really nice room with tables for games sofas and lounge chairs to relax in and shoot the breeze and a TV with a VCR so we can watch movies if we want. Pastor Anne even stops by to say Hello from time to time." Pastor Anne Pruett-Barnett adds, "I am concerned about the youth of our area and want the church to be a place where they can gather and bring their joys and concerns and fellowship. I am delighted that PFLAG youth feel comfortable coming to Epworth, and I have been touched through the conversations I have had with them. I hope that during the upcoming months I can really get to know them so they will know that I am therealong with their caring adult leadershipif they have a concern that feels too big to handle alone. PFLAG youth group is one way our church family can offer a safe, compassionate place for the youth in Sussex County." According to the PFLAG National Mission Statement, "PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure civil rights. PFLAG provides an opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful to diversity. Serving more than 69,000 members, PFLAG affiliates are located in more than 410 communities across the United States and in 11 other countries." For more information you may contact Ken Mahan at (302) 226-3636. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 8, No. 6, June 5, 1998. |