AIDS Walk 2021, LGBTQ+ Youth Swim, SD LGBTQ Film Fest, South Bay Pride Ride, New PFLAG SDC T’s, and More!
Aids Walk/Run San Diego 2021
The Yellow Sneakers Are Back!
This year, participants will be able to once again walk or run the traditional AIDS Walk San Diego route or their own route between September 23-26. Check out the website, www.aidswalksd.org, for the traditional route. The San Diego LGBT Center is planning a new in-person, masked, outdoor, celebration/festival for all participants on Saturday, September 25 at 10 am. There will be an opening ceremony, live musical performances, recognition of top teams and fundraisers, T-shirt distribution, booths spotlighting our event sponsors and funding recipients, a remembrance altar, and remarks from our most committed community leaders.
How do I register to be part of Team PFLAG San Diego County you ask? Please visit www.aidswalksd.org, click on Register, Join a Team, fill in PFLAG San Diego County, and you are ready to register! The registration fee is $45.00 for all participants. There was an increase due to the revenue lost in 2020. There is also a place to make a donation if you wish. Any participant who raises $100+, which includes the registration fee, will receive an AIDS Walk and Run t-shirt. As of press time, there are only three people registered, so hop aboard!
If we reach $1,000 or 10 registered participants by Monday, September 20, we will receive the prestigious yellow sneaker, proudly displaying PFLAG San Diego County. We can then make a group decision when to gather and walk as a team.
The Center sponsors the AIDS Walk because it is San Diego’s largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser and the biggest non-governmental financial provider for HIV/AIDS support in San Diego County. Dozens of agencies serving thousands of clients rely on funds raised at the annual Walk/Run to help provide essential prevention and care programs to thousands of men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS. Our visible support for this event shows people living with HIV that they are not alone.
Come Out And Cool Off!
PFLAG SDC is excited to be a supporting organization for the LGBTQ+ Youth Swim Time.
Sponsored by South Bay Pride, in conjunction with the San Diego Parks Foundation, the LGBTQ+ swim time allows our Queer youth to swim at their community pools without fear of reproach or violence. This is an exclusive space set aside just for them for two hours every weekend. Some weekends there are two events. It’s a great way for kids to beat the heat at no charge.
Come out one or all and invite your friends. All are welcomed. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out Nadia Kean-Ayub at nkeanayub@southbaypride.org.
San Diego LGBTQ Film Festival
FilmOut San Diego presents the 21st Annual San Diego LGBTQ Film Festival September 10-12. This event is hosted by the Museum of Photographic Arts, 1649 El Prado in Balboa Park. For a schedule of the films and to purchase tickets, go to sdpride.org/events.
Please be sure to vote! September 14 is the deadline. The San Diego LGBT Community Center is one location to drop off your ballot.
Art Of Pride Exhibition
Art Of Pride Exhibition
Don’t miss the Images of Pride Art opening reception on September 17 from 6:00-8:00 pm. This free event is an in-person, on-site photographic exhibition of the works of LGBTQ folks and their allies, covering 47 years of San Diego Pride. It also features a photo of PFLAG Maven Bobbi Harwood and her daughter, Dana. It was taken at the infamous downpour Pride Parade in 2015. Light refreshments and an introduction of the artists will be part of this event hosted by the Art of Pride and San Diego Pride. The exhibit will be on display weekdays from 10:00 am-4:00 pm through October 31 at San Diego Pride, 3620 30th Street in North Park. For more information, contact artofpride@gmail or check out their website: sdpride.org/art.
Welcome To PFLAG SDC’s Newest Support Group
Welcome to the Imperial Valley Support Group. We are pleased they have joined our PFLAG San Diego County Family. The facilitator and our newest board member is Ali Crook. She can be reached at imperialvalleysdc@pflag.com. The support group meets in person the third Thursday of the month from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Imperial Valley LGBT Resource Center, 1073 Ross Avenue, Suite E in El Centro.
The Imperial Valley LGBT Resource Center will be hosting their 6th Annual Pride Festival on Saturday, October 9 from 5:00-10:00 pm at Stark Field Park on Lenrey & 4th in El Centro. Vendors (art, food, clothes, baked goods, etc.) are wanted. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please call 760-592-4066 or email Pride@ivlgbtcenter.com for more information.
South Bay Pride Ride Rides Again!
Please join South Bay Alliance for their 2nd Annual South Bay Pride Ride on October 9. Their mission is to engage members of the South Bay community in a celebration of PRIDE, displaying that South Bay is a safe space where the LGBTQ+ community will always be accepted. Meeting time is 10:00 am at the Chula Vista Mall on the north Sears adjacent parking lot. You can either come with your cars already decked out in their LGBTQ+ glory or decorate them when you arrive at 10:00. The caravan will leave promptly at 11:00 am and follow H Street East to Otay Lakes Road, then turn south, and on Birch Road turn east. Once on Birch Road, follow it to Otay Ranch Town Center. We will circle around the Center, finishing at the Palm divide, north of the food court (or you can just follow the leader!)
Then the post-ride festivities begin! PFLAG SDC will be among many groups who will have a booth. There are 2 stages with local performers, the San Diego Loyal Soccer Club, Drag Queen Story Time, and photo booth. They are still asking for more sponsors. Contact Nadia to sponsor or for more info: nkeanayub@southbaypride.org with cc to: mbanaga@southbaypride.org and joeburkekingofclubs@gmail.com
A Groovie Movie Revioo …
By Vicki Luna (She, Her, Hers)
JUST CHARLIE (2018)
This family journey from mainstream to a new normal, is both poignant and relatable. Charlie excels in football (England’s soccer) The whole family pretty much sees him as his sport. Charlie/football…football/
Set in a rural England town, the story takes us away at the same time we feel familiar family dynamics in this refreshing, original approach to a girl in transition. I loved it and Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 100% too!
Starring Harry Gilby, Scott Williams, Karen Bryson, Elinor Machen Fortune, and directed by Rebekah Fortune. Available on Amazon Prime.
South Bay Pride Rocked!
Another successful South Bay Pride took place on August 21. There was lots going on as bands played all day, vendors promoted their organizations, great food, and goods for purchase. Thanks to Patti Boman for coordinating the PFLAG booth and painting the PFLAG SDC rocks which were a big hit! South Bay Pride Entertainment Director Mishelle Banaga also rocked on with their band, Ingenue.
Top row: Patti Boman, Tommy Boman, Vicki Luna, Bill Luna, Kathy Cien-Mayer. Middle row: PFLAG rocks, Kathy Cien-Mayer, Zaneta Encarnacion, Patti Boman
Bottom row: Annette Ottone, Remo Ottone, Ingenue featuring Mishelle Banaga and Cora Hepburn.
Introducing PFLAG Connects:
PFLAG National is launching PFLAG Connects:
The T’S Have It!
Hot off the press are our new PFLAG San Diego County 100% cotton T-shirts. This is a mauve shirt with the PFLAG SDC logo on the back and a heart with the word “family” in different languages on the upper right on the front. T’s can be purchased for $10 each. Sizes are small through X-Large. To purchase, please contact scohenrichards@pflag.com.
Please visit our Facebook page for meeting notices, upcoming events, and stories of interest
Support Groups
❗️Note: some support group information has changed since last month
Most support groups will continue to meet virtually until further notice. Check individual group for details. We encourage you to contact your support group facilitator at any time, as they will remain excellent resources for information. The support group locations, dates, and times will continue to be posted on the PFLAG San Diego County Facebook page. You can join in any of the digital meetings. For Zoom links, contact each support group.
Do You Shop On Amazon?
If you have an account with Amazon, you can help our chapter every time you shop. Go to smile.Amazon.com and search for PFLAG San Diego County. For every purchase, our chapter will receive .05% of the dollar amount of the order. This may not sound like a lot, but it adds up with the more people we have participating. Now that more of us are ordering online than ever due to the pandemic, it’s the perfect time to use Amazon Smile to support PFLAG.
Our Vision
PFLAG envisions a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Our Mission
By meeting people where they are and collaborating with others, PFLAG realizes its vision through: Support for families, allies and people who are LGBTQ+; Education for ourselves and others about the unique issues and challenges facing people who are LGBTQ+; Advocacy in our communities to change attitudes and create policies and laws that achieve full equality for people who are LGBTQ+.
