PFLAG Springfield/SWMO

It's been 10 years since 49 of our beloved siblings were taken in senseless violence at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Hundreds more were injured or traumatized, and a whole community was harmed forever.

We will never forget the memory of those lost and we won't ever stop working for a world where everyone - everywhere - is safe.

Stanley Almodovar III, 23
Amanda Alvear, 25
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21
Martin Benitez Torres, 33
Antonio D. Brown, 30
Darryl R. Burt II, 29
Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28
Simon A. Carrillo Fernandez, 31
Juan Chavez-Martinez, 25
Luis D. Conde, 39
Cory J. Connell, 21
Tevin E. Crosby, 25
Franky J. Dejesus Velazquez, 50
Deonka D. Drayton, 32
Mercedez M. Flores, 26
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22
Juan R. Guerrero, 22
Paul T. Henry, 41
Frank Hernandez, 27
Miguel A. Honorato, 30
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40
Jason B. Josaphat, 19
Eddie J. Justice, 30
Anthony L. Laureano Disla, 25
Christopher A. Leinonen, 32
Brenda L. Marquez McCool, 49
Jean C. Mendez Perez, 35
Akyra Monet Murray, 18
Kimberly Morris, 37
Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez, 27
Luis O. Ocasio-Capo, 20
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32
Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37
Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24
Christopher J. Sanfeliz, 24
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
Shane E. Tomlinson, 33
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25
Luis S. Vielma, 22
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37
Jerald A. Wright, 31

Save the Date!

Get ready to join PFLAG Springfield/SWMO and NAACP Springfield at The Moxie Cinema on July 12th for a Movie Screening - Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin.

Discover the story of Bayard Rustin: civil rights strategist, architect of the March on Washington, mentor to MLK Jr., and a pioneering LGBTQ+ activist whose impact changed history. Brother Outsider shines a light on the legacy of a leader too often overlooked.

June is wonderful - and busy!
We're and want YOU to lead alongside us!
Check out all these amazing opportunities to serve in community with us and sign up through the link in the comments.

Did you know? PFLAG is a membership based organization.

For the last few years, we've let people come to us - if folks wanted to be a part of our movement they needed to seek us out and ask. Our website and giving portal weren't always clear about why you should join or how to do it.

This Pride season? We're coming to you - and asking you to be a part of something bigger. We've completely overhauled our membership program - including the perks that come with being a member of our chapter!

Joining isn't just about donating. Becoming a member lends your support to PFLAG National’s work on behalf of LGBTQ+ visibility and rights, AND your membership entitles you to benefits that keep you fully informed and gives you the tools you need to help us make our vision a reality. You can be a part of making the Ozarks a more equitable place. Check out more information about different membership levels and exclusive perks at the link below. You can also come visit us at our Pridefest Booth to sign up!

https://pflagswmo.org/membership/

We need YOU!

Pridefest is this coming Saturday, and we need your help to keep our booth staffed so that everyone can learn about the exciting things happening at PFLAG, do a fun craft, join our chapter, or get some fun merch. We also need folks to march in the parade with us! Sign up in the comments below and get ready for a day full of community, camaraderie, and circus-level fun.

Even more ways to support PFLAG Springfield/SWMO this June! Put it on your calendar now - come by the Kendra Scott store at the Battlefield Mall from 1-3 on June 28th and 20% of your purchase will go to support our chapter! Not able to make it into the store? We'll have a shopping link to share with you when the big day arrives. Watch this space for more information.

Want to support PFLAG this Pride Month? Why not go to the movies? This month we are the Charities on Tap beneficiary at The Backlot at Alamo Drafthouse. Order a pint of KC Hefe and $1 goes back to PFLAG! You gotta wash down your popcorn anyway - let it go to a good cause!

Tomorrow, June 4th, is our Gun Sense Presentation with PFLAG Springfield/SWMO and Moms Demand Action!
LGBTQ+ people face higher risk of becoming victims of gun violence, and learning more about firearm responsibility and the impacts of gun violence is one way we can protect our community. We hope you will join us to learn together. We're grateful that Moms Demand Action - MO is able to provide this service.
Light refreshments will be served. Our Family Support Group meeting will be held immediately afterwards and will be offered in a Hybrid model - folks who come to the presentation can stay and join others on Zoom. See you soon!