PFLAG SOUTH NEWSLETTER:
AUGUST 2004
Dear
All,
It is
an uncertain business, cancelling a meeting as we did on that Monday
in the snow. I had visions of either a sudden thaw (when I would feel
I had been over cautious) or that people would come to grief on snowy
roads! By the evening, it was clearly a good night to stay at home.
Since
we have all missed out on a chance to catch up, here are a few bits
of news.
Our speaker was to have been Jaques Vandemeer , but I hope that at
some later date, we will be able to meet, and hear his experiences
as a gay parent.
OTHER NEWS
1
PFLAG social night.
Thanks to Erin and Jean who kindly arranged for us to have dinner
together at Dicey O'Rileys, which was a most enjoyable occasion. It
was great to get to know people in a relaxed way and not more formally
at a meeting. We're planning to meet again sometime.
2
. Wellington PPTA Safer Schools meeting
PFLAG was invited to attend. Erin and I got up VERY early 4.50 am
to catch the flight, a challenge! We found we were still able to talk,
even at that hour!
The meeting ran from 10 am to 3,30 pm. The group included teachers,
health teachers, counsellors, youth workers, Family Planning Association,
Rainbow Youth from Auckland, a Lawyer from the Human Rights Commission,
the Head of Onslow College….. and PFLAG!.
The focus of the meeting was how we could work together to promote
the safety of gay staff and students in High Schools.
The government has policies about care for difference, but at present
there is no specific wording that requires a school to actively promote
a culture of gay friendliness and acceptance.
We have now a greater awareness of these problems and have brought
home a bit of reading to make us more aware of the Human Rights Act
and the role of Boards of Trustees in determining school policy.
These are all vital things we should know when we approach schools.
It was wonderful to talk with all these other people and to hear of
the work they had done.
They were delighted that PFLAG exists. And they were impressed at
all we had done and planned to do. It seems that we are the only PFLAG
in NZ at present. The Rainbow Youth people were going to put us in
touch with one mother in Auckland who acts as the Parent Contact when
needed. We were told that the influence of parents was of enormous
importance in the community, as well as on young gay people.
The research papers we had brought, from the Otago University, were
very useful to them, and they were interested in our leaflets.
A plan of action was discussed and doubtless we will hear more about
how we can help.
At one point it was suggested that PFLAG might set up a national 0800
help line and get funding for it, that, or a National website.
We knew that we were too small to do that. However I have been wondering
whether our website could be used in some way, maybe fuller advertising.
But the thought of carrying an 0800 number in my handbag, 24 hours
a day, was overwhelming.
Reactions to this suggestion welcome
All in
all, it was a very useful meeting. The work is huge and we at PFLAG
are so small. It will be good to work with others
Apart from that, events of our trip,,,, losing and finding the PFLAG
cell phone (my fault!),standing at the top of the cable car tracks
on a lovely evening at dusk, a wonderful welcome at the convent where
we stayed in two adjoining nuns cells, (Sister Erin and Sister Sue),
and meeting Erin's daughters on Friday night. At McDonalds. A good
trip!
Help
wanted
PFLAG has been asked to speak about the work we do, at a training
course for Citizens Advice on Wednesday October 20th, at 8 - 9 pm
at Community House. It is a great opportunity and I have some ideas
for how to present this evening. I think it would be much more interesting
for the audience if one or two others could come. I think that it
would be good to read out some bits of several parents' experiences.
Is there anyone who might be interested in either allowing us to use
parts of their story, (anonymously) or in coming to help read these
out to the people. I would find it a help if someone was there to
support me. If you think you might be interested, my phone is 473-6970.
Office
Moving
On September 20th we will be moving, with the Methodist Mission, to
Fitzroy Street in South Dunedin. We are grateful that in spite of
this great change that they are still willing to give us a space,
which helps us so much, in our work.
Next
Meeting.
Mark your diaries for Monday 27th September at 7.30.
The speaker will be Barbara Perry, who with her husband decided to
run a Drop in Centre for people with HIV/ AIDS in Melbourne.
Barbara is a wonderful speaker who has had some interesting experiences,
and this promises to be very worthwhile.
LOVE IS ENOUGH
An ecumenical
service celebrating the contribution of all loving relationships,
Gay and ,Straight to families and to the community
All Welcome!
Sunday 19th September 5 pm
All Saints Church on Cumberland Street (opposite the North Ground)
Enough
for now
Warming greetings and look forward to seeing you all soon
Sue (with additions by Erin and Euan)
COPIES
OF PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS:
Report for 2003Report on
Youth Mental Health Expo 2002
March
2002
March
2001
May
2001
June
2001
October
2001
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