November 1st, 2007
The 3rd Annual Kaleidoscope Awards Banquet was held on Oct. 27, 2007 at Augsburg Lutheran Church in downtown Winston-Salem. There were many “firsts” which made this year’s Banquet a huge success!
It was the first year PFLAG Winston-Salem was able to raise enough money through sponsorships to fully underwrite the expenses of the evening, allowing ticket sales to go toward important workshops and other services.
It was the first year we had Nationally recognized entertainment for everyone’s enjoyment. Jason & deMarco not only “rocked the house”, but also inspired us through their beautiful music and the message they delivered.
It was the first year that the Banquet brought together over 192 straight allies and LGBT persons in our community for a night of recognition, great food, entertainment, and a call to action from our keynote speaker, Shannon Gilreath.
Give us your comments on the evening too! We’d like feedback on how to make next year even more spectacular!
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March 3rd, 2007
When my daughter came out to me - my greatest concern for her was “will she be safe?”. I was unsure how people would act towards her, once I told them she was lesbian. I knew that if they treated her differently - or were rude or unkind to her..I would react to that in a negative way. I didn’t want to do that - I wanted it all to positive - for her sake - and for the sake of her friends and family. In some cases - my fear was realized, as some people acted “shocked” or “put off” - but over the years I have been able to realize that is THEIR problem. I still worry about her when she travels to areas of the country that are not welcoming, but I also know that she is a very strong young woman - and can take care of herself.
If your child is gay, what are your biggest fears?
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January 31st, 2007
As many of us know, coming out is not a one-time event, it’s a balancing act. Unfortunately, it often seems as though we are constantly evaluating the consequences of coming out. In many cases it is much more difficult to be out at work then it is to be out in our social lives, since unlike our co-workers and bosses we have the luxury to choose our friends. Although remaining in the closet can be both stressful and emotionally taxing we often make a conscious decision to stay in the closet. But like everything else in life, this has a variety of both positive and negative consequences. Remaining closeted whether from a fear of homophobia, discrimination, or losing your job makes it difficult, if not impossible, to interact honestly with your co-workers. If you have a partner, the act of closeting yourself will also have an adverse effect on your relationship as you force your partner back in the closet as well.
The choice to come out or remain closeted at work is a personal decision and one which should not be taken lightly. The value you place upon your job must be weighed against the worth of your own individuality.
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December 30th, 2006
Post your coming out stories here….
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