Since joining in 2011, PFLAG has meant so much to me that I can’t imagine how my life would have gone without it.”

My name is Ginny Bailey, President of PFLAG Franklin in Tennessee. As a PFLAG chapter leader and the mother of a gay son who lives two states away, I know it’s been tough out there right now for families to stay connected.

That’s why I’m grateful to share how PFLAG Connects — PFLAG National’s new program that provides chapters access to digital meetings through Zoom and round-the-clock technical support and training from the PFLAG Chapter Engagement Team — has allowed our chapter to provide virtual peer-to-peer support and educational resources for all our families in the Middle Tennessee area.

I appreciate so much that PFLAG National supports chapters like ours by providing PFLAG Connects and other resources. #GivingTuesdayNow is four days away, but you can make a difference right now in supporting this vital program and all the ways that PFLAG National supports us. I hope you will give a gift of $10, $25, or any amount as you’re able to support PFLAG Connects so parents like me can get the digital resources we need to support our kids while sheltering at home.

Having PFLAG Connects access available for our chapter to use has been really tremendous. We had our first virtual PFLAG meeting last week where 22 parents and family members showed up, which felt amazing. We were able to use the feature that allows people to break into smaller groups to allow for plenty of sharing time, and everyone said that worked really well.

But the best thing about virtual meetings is the chance to see everyone’s faces! Social distancing erodes your sense of community day by day, and being able to see people we have come to know and care a lot about was tonic for the soul.

Since joining in 2011, PFLAG has meant so much to me that I can’t imagine how my life would have gone without it. I’m grateful to the PFLAG National team who worked to set up PFLAG Connects so quickly. Now I want to pay it forward by sharing how you can make a difference in the lives of families like mine.

I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well. Thank you for your support during this crazy, weird time!