PFLAG National Mission To create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
PFLAG National Vision An equitable, inclusive world where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved.
History PFLAG had its origins in 1972 when a mom publicly supported her gay son in the Christopher Street Liberation Day March. Kind of a radical act back then! She organized the first meeting of parents, LGBTQ+ people, and allies just nine months later—a meeting that would eventually become known as the PFLAG organization.
Over the next few years, similar groups sprung up around the country. In June 1978 in Houston, Annella Harrison became very public as being the mother of a gay child. She even went to the Houston City Council during the 1978 Gay Pride Week to announce, "I am the parent of a gay child." Following the 1979 National March for Gay and Lesbian Rights, representatives from these groups met for the first time in Washington, DC. There Annella met with 98 other parents. They decided to begin to contact each other and work together. She came back and led the first Houston group. PFLAG National incorporated in 1982.
The name of PFLAG has changed over the years from POG (Parents of Gays) to Parents Friends of Lesbians And Gays (PFLAG) and then Parents, Friends, and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in 1993. In 2014, the organization officially changed its name from "Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays" to, simply, PFLAG. This change was made to accurately reflect PFLAG members, those PFLAG serves, and the inclusive work PFLAG has been doing for decades.
Programs of the Houston chapter
Support: -Helpline phone number and email – staffed by volunteers on 2-week shifts -Support groups – confidential, peer to peer support led by trained volunteer facilitators; every week. (current schedule) -Before covid – handful of social activities, December meeting -Houston chapter does support really well; many chapters only have 1 support meeting per month
Education: -Monthly meetings – intentionally bringing more diversity -PFLAG National literature to hand out at meetings and tabling events Advocacy -Outreach/tabling events – conferences, etc. -Speakers’ bureau – presentations and panels for corporations and organizations -Policy issues – recently – followed the lead of other advocacy and civil rights orgs already doing the work -Houston chapter’s involvement in advocacy activities has depended on what issues were happening, the “personality” of the board and leadership, and if there were people willing to head up efforts
Role: -The Houston PFLAG intern will function as the primary support in assisting the board in accomplishing the variety of tasks related to program work (Support, Education, Advocacy). Additionally, the intern will assist the board in completing administrative tasks that will support the advancement of the PFLAG mission. Duties: The Houston PFLAG intern will conduct the following routine assignments: -Update membership database (monthly) -Shop and deliver refreshments for general meetings (monthly – Second Sunday PM) -Direct incoming communication (voicemail, email) to appropriate organizational contact; -Respond to inquiries regarding general information (weekly) -Support special projects (storage room organization, PRIDE participation, etc.)
Hours: The Houston PFLAG intern will dedicate 30-40 hrs./month to accomplishing duties.
Compensation: The Houston PFLAG intern will receive a monthly stipend of $1,000. Stipend payments will be made via check, or peer-to-peer (P2P) app (ex. Zelle). The Houston PFLAG intern is responsible for all annual IRS tax payments required.
Term: One year, unless otherwise determined by the board.
Requirements: Applicants must be 18 – 23 years of age; Fluent in Google Workspace programs (Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Sheets); Have a valid driver license; Regular access to a vehicle; Able to support general meeting assemblies the afternoons of the second Sundays of the month; Strong ability to work independently.
Background checks will be conducted. Houston PFLAG is an affinity group supporting families with LGBTQ members. Preference will be given to LGBTQ-identifying applicants. Beyond the successful accomplishment of duties, the experience includes the developing of the motivation, knowledge, and professional skills to exercise leadership, and advocacy skills. Additionally, our board hopes the Intern will gain the following benefits through this opportunity: ● Increase your personal bandwidth ● Build your organizational capacity ● Support on existing and new initiatives ● Gain new insights, perspectives, and technical approaches towards those initiatives.
Submit resumes and/or questions to [email protected] Please enter "PFLAG Houston Intern" in the subject line.