Dear Houston Friends,

Some of you may remember PFLAG Houston's billboards a few years ago with the messages of "Hate Hurts, "Safe Schools," and "Unconditional Love."  GLBT people happily commented that it was so affirming to pass those signs on the highway.

We now have a mini-version: "Unconditional Love: Keeping Families Together" is the message being carried on advertising signs in nearly 1100 METRO buses in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

These "bus cards," displayed as a public service by METRO for at least three months (November-January, and hopefully, longer) were conceived and produced by the Houston chapter of PFLAG.

Ron Dupre, chapter president, said, "Our primary goal is to reach out to those communities which we are not now reaching effectively, particularly the African American and Hispanic communities.  We also hope that this message will go out not only to family members and friends, but also to members of the GLBT community as an affirmation of themselves."  Sue Null, secretary, added, "PFLAG is as much for the GLBT community as it is for their families and friends.  We warmly welcome all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people who may not realize how important they are to PFLAG."

Partial funding for the printing of the METRO bus signs has come from the Kellett Foundation, the Krewe of Olympus, the Hollyfield Foundation, and from individuals in both the GLBT and straight communities.  Much appreciated additional donations from the community may be mailed to PFLAG Houston, P.O. Box 66834, Houston, TX 77266-6834.

If you haven't seen the bus cards yet, jump on METRO briefly the next time one stops by you, and you'll be happily pleased to see yourself on the bus.

Sue Null
PFLAG Houston