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Meetings & Events Please join us to chat and listen. We are here to greet you and offer friendly support. Presentations always allow time for Q & A and conversation. 2025 June 29, Sunday, NOON, at Morningside Park [on morningside Dr, between Central and Coal Avenues.] Alex and Sheila have called for a Picnic meeting under the trees. We have done this often before, sitting on blankets & lawn chairs. Summer and sweets means bees; food will draw ants. Small children will be playing with their parents nearby. Rough sleepers may be napping on the grass but aggressive pan-handling is rare. Parking is limited-to-nonexistent, and THERE ARE NO RESTROOMS or water-fountains. Sculptures and plaques in Morningside Park remember Albuquerque's small first Gay Pride March (1976, about 25 UNM students). YOU don't have to bring anything, though Alex's word "picnic" implies food, and Sheila's phrase "yummy food to share" seemingly ups the ante. "I'll bring a hard-backed chair," says Peter, "since I know I'll need it." It will be HOT, so skip snacks that could spoil.) The goal is to meet and talk. "Where can we go from here? How can we address people's needs?" The social and political landscape continues to change rapidly.
2025 June 18 (7 PM). This was a joyful gathering in remembrance -- and our last meeting as an affiliate of PFLAG ® National. We discussed options such as continuing as an independent non-organization doing precisely what we have been doing for years, without any "affiliation." OR we could look into "connection" with any of the large number of groups whom most of us, as individuals and families, support. [I (Peter) personally support UNM Food Pantry, Roadrunner Food Bank, Planned Parenthood (whose MPower program supports OUR group now) and many environmental and political organizations. We all have such personal connections.] Our local Chapter very likely has helped each of us over the many years we have met in mutual support and outreach, starting in those early years when the letters "PFLAG" meant "Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays" [before other names were added, removed, and PFLAG® was reduced to a trademark]. We all have stories to tell, so lets! Think of the many people who have contributed their presence and thoughtfulness, help and attentiveness-without-judgement. And the frequent potluck treats that we -- sometimes a few but often many -- enjoyed each month in places we would come to consider 'homes.' NATIONAL
PFLAG ®
has set a new course, and will not let us continue as we have. Their changed and evolving expectations have
led us reluctantly to say "Goodbye." So this meeting is our last as an
affiliate of that
national organization. We will remain friends. [Peter Lundman, web editor. On June 14, adds this: It will take some time for me to notice and erase all the references and art which have "branded" this website under PFLAG® If we find OTHER words for the acronym p.f.l.a.g.a.b.q, it might help. Talk to me.] 2025, May 21. We learned more about "RIO RANCHO Pride" activities, which was re-designed to be a family event -- fun for kids as well as elders. 2025, April 16. During our last meeting we heard from the Older Rainbow Community of Albuquerque, and heard some perspectives on what is happening Now -- from those who have lived through similar troubled times in the past. 2025, March 19. Last month's guest was from Albuquerque's Transgender Resource Center. 2025, February 19. Our speaker came from Albuquerque's Bataan Chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER). 2024, January 15. Our guest from Equality New Mexico explained issues that face this year's "long" (60 day) New Mexico legislative session (which began Jan. 21). 2024, December 18. Just a "snack-luck" this month. So (if you can) bring a snack that you like and share it with others. Bring yourself and join a conversation. Previous Meetings... 2024, November 20. Our Pot-Luck meeting was great. The many hot and cold plates, sides and desserts ... were delicious. The cheerful and supportive conversations, among the dozen participants, was the best part of the evening. 2024, October 16th. In-person again after a year's hiatus. We got re-acquainted, and met newcomers. 2023, January 18th. We met for supportive conversations over light refreshments. 2022, December 22nd. We had our first face-to-face meeting AGAIN after "Zooming" two years. It was a "snacks-only" potluck with much provided by many participants. Fun! We had too many snacks since lots had also been left to us by another group whose meeting had ended just before we arrived. ... An extended period of meetings on ZOOM. 2020, April 15th, May 20th, June 17th, and ALL subsequent PFLAG meetings occurred as scheduled, over ZOOM. 2020, March 18th. The meeting was cancelled due to National PFLAG's advice to members: "chapters should suspend meetings and events, based upon sound guidance and directives from local and federal health authorities" * * paraphrased by Peter, who ALSO heard on March 12, that APS cancelled all classes for three weeks. 2020, February 19th. Adrien Lawyer, of The Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico (TGRCNM) explained the center's programs and some events. We all discussed the experiences of transgender people, and came away understanding more. Along with generous donors, TGRCNM's local thrift store -- Thrift A Lot -- supports the Center's work. 2020, January 15th. Alexandra Sherry, from Big Brothers/Big Sisters, asked: "Have you ever wanted to be a big brother or sister or sibling?" She answered questions and explained two current programs -- Community-based and School-based.
Previous year calendars are in NEWS ARCHIVES below. NEWS ARCHIVES 2019 || 2018 || 2017 || 2016 || 2015 || 2014 || 2013 || 2012 || 2011 || 2010 || 2009 || 2008 || 2007 || |
