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Oct 21

Stuyvesant HS Hosts Largest Safe Schools Program Event Ever

  • October 21, 2016
street view of a tan brick building, pink flowers in the foreground

The Safe Schools Program of PFLAG NYC marked a milestone on October 19, 2016. We organized our largest school event in the history of the program when we simultaneously spoke to all 830 students in the 9th grade class at Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan. All together, 15 members of the Safe Schools Program took time to share their family stories with groups of Stuyvesant freshmen.

PFLAG NYC was invited to Stuyvesant by Assistant Principal Casey Pedrick who, along with her colleagues in counseling and guidance, shared with us how many students had trouble understanding and helping classmates who are LGBT, or dealing with questions of sexual orientation and gender identity themselves. Many students are scared at the thought of having to tell parents the truth that they are learning about themselves.

A Mom Pays It Forward by Helping Today’s Students

woman in black on stage in a school auditorium

For that reason, it was so important that one member of our team of speakers was the mother of a “Stuy” alum. Clara Yoon enthused that she was glad for the chance to speak to all the freshmen assembled in the auditorium because she thought about how different her child’s school experience might have been if a group like PFLAG NYC had led an open and constructive conversation with students about LGBT topics. She talked about her child and their relationship in ways that every student in the school could understand. The audience of students laughed when Clara, a Korean-American mom, referred to stereotypes of Asian parents and said her first sign that something was going on in her child’s life was when he got less than straight A’s. Then she got serious.

Clara admitted to the students that even though she thought she knew her child, she was unaware of challenges her child was facing outside of academics. “While my child was at school here, he came out to me as LGBT and only then did I start to understand how much he struggled. I was not prepared for his coming out, and I did not understand it,” she told the students. She went on to talk with students about how to handle conversations about things students find unfamiliar or uncomfortable to deal with, and how to be supportive of friends who may come out to you.

Sharing Personal Coming-Out Stories

Two more speakers took the stage to share their experiences about coming to terms with their own identities. Kalima McKenzie-Simms spoke about her experience coming out to her friend in high school. She emphasized how much she needed an ally during one of the darkest moments she can remember, and how her friend’s acceptance was a defining moment in her life; she was changed for the better, and returned to school with more confidence and courage. Her story resonated strongly with the Stuyvesant students.

woman on stage in front of projection with PFLAG information

One of the Safe Schools Program’s newest speakers spoke last. I-nan Chen told the audience about growing up in Taiwan, where his parents still live. This helped I-nan make a connection with many Stuy students, three quarters of whom are first or second generation immigrants, many of Asian background. I-nan talked about what it was like when he realized how different he felt from his cousins while they were growing up. At first he didn’t even know what it meant to be “gay,” but even after he knew what it meant, he struggled with it. Among the issues he thought about were his responsibility as oldest child to carry on the family line. He never thought his parents could accept his being gay. When he reached the point in his story when he actually comes out to them, the entire auditorium was pin-drop silent. Want to know more? You’ll have to find a way to come to a PFLAG NYC program and hear directly from I-nan!

After these three presenters spoke with the full 9th grade class in, the students broke into small groups to talk with individual Safe Schools Program members and have in-depth discussion.

Stuyvesant Enthusiastic to Bring Safe Schools Back Every Year

The feedback from the Stuyvesant hosts was resoundingly positive: “The whole thing was really amazing… I so much hope it is possible to have [PFLAG] back to speak to next year’s freshmen.” From the PFLAG NYC side, we can certainly say, “Absolutely!” We’re ready to go to any school that needs the Safe Schools Program for its students.

Help the Safe Schools Program Grow

Would you like to know more about the Safe Schools Program? You can bring us to your school or become a volunteer. Or make a donation to PFLAG NYC today to help the program strong!

The Stuyvesant H.S. team from PFLAG NYC’s Safe Schools Program (right to left): Samuel Nathanson, Shannon Sass, Drew Tagliabue, Joe Hastick, Lee Schwartz, Florence Shuster, Kalima McKenzie-Simms, Susan Goodman, Anthony Kratunis, Judy Sennesh, Johanna Antar, I-nan Chen, and Aya Yabe; not pictured: Stan Wright and Clara Yoon.

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Events Calendar

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  • September 2023

Calendar of Events

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

S Sun

1 event, 28

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Recurring

General Support Meeting

August 28 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

General Support Meeting

General Meetings are PFLAG NYC broadest offering for support and discussion. We welcome individuals and families with interest around all issues across the LGBTQ+ spectrum — gender identity, sexual orientation, allyship, and more. To register and to receive more information, please click here.

0 events, 29

0 events, 30

0 events, 31

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

0 events, 3

1 event, 4

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Recurring

Loving Elders Support Group

a diverse group of older people at a table smiling
September 4 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

Loving Elders Support Group

The theme for this month will be "lead with the wisdom of your heart." Elders give children the promise of community, continuity, and consciousness of self. They are the spiritual guides that keep culture and personal history alive in the hearts of the young. They nurture the love and understanding that can then withstand the difficulties and appreciate the beauty of our shared walk through life. We love and cherish our grandchildren and may be the most accepting because so many unimportant things are of no concern to us anymore compared to our precious children. If you identify as a grandparent or an intergenerational influence in the life of an LGBTQ+ person join us for the launch of our Loving Elders Support Group. We’ll meet the first Monday of each month from 7:00 - 8:30 pm ET. Learn more and register.

0 events, 5

1 event, 6

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Recurring

SOGI Tweens Group

September 6 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

SOGI Tweens Group

The SOGI (Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity) Tweens Group is a support group for parents/caregivers and supportive friends or family members of LGBTQIA+ young people entering/in early adolescence - roughly aged 9-15 (with some flexibility). There are so many concerns, challenges, and discoveries occurring around puberty for Queer and TGNC young people (and those who love them!), including identity, sexuality, body image, gender-affirming medical care, names and pronouns, and navigating family, school and peer relationships. Join our community to meet understanding friends, share information and resources, and get support as we strive to show up and advocate for our kiddos to be their most authentic selves. *This group will be facilitated in English but one of our regular facilitators is also fluent in Spanish. Note that this group arose from within the TFP (Trans Families Project) group and families are welcome to join/attend both; SOGI Tweens offers an inclusive, age-group-specific space for families of youth who identify anywhere within the rainbow spectrum. Online registration for this new group is not yet set up on the PFLAGNYC website, so to sign up and receive a reminder email with Zoom link please email SOGItweens@gmail.com and include your name, the child's age and […]

0 events, 7

1 event, 8

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Recurring

API Parents & Caregivers Group

September 8 from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EDT Recurring

API Parents & Caregivers Group

This group is a twice-monthly lunchtime discussion group for Asian-Pacific Islander parents & caregivers about their children who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. The group is one of the offerings of API Rainbow Parents, which provides information and support to Asian-Pacific Islander (API) families with a family member who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+). To register and receive more information, please click here.

1 event, 9

10:00 am - 11:30 am Recurring

El Amor Hace la Familia

September 9 from 10:00 am - 11:30 am EDT Recurring

El Amor Hace la Familia

Grupo de apoyo para familias en la comunidad latina con seres queridos LGBTQ+ de diversas orientaciones sexuales o identidades de género / Support group for families in the Latino community with LGBTQ+ loved ones of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Todas las reuniones actualmente se ocurren en línea. Para más información Para más eventos  

3 events, 10

10:00 am - 11:30 am Recurring

TransFamilies Project

September 10 from 10:00 am - 11:30 am EDT Recurring

TransFamilies Project

The TransFamilies Project (TFP) is a support group for parents transgender children, as well as other family members and friends. No matter when your child disclosed their gender identity, or what stage of transition they're in, join with others at the TransFamilies Project to meet understanding friends, share important information, and to get (and provide) support as we all travel this special road together. To register and receive more information, please click here.

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Recurring

API Rainbow Parents Tea with Parents

September 10 from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT Recurring

API Rainbow Parents Tea with Parents

API Rainbow Parents provides information and support to Asian-Pacific Islander (API) families with a family member who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+). The Afternoon Tea is a monthly social gathering for members of the Asian & Pacific Islander community who are LGBTQ+, along with their parents and other loved ones. API Rainbow Parents has a special focus on meeting the cultural and language needs of API families. To register and receive more information, please click here.

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Recurring

General Support Meeting

September 10 from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT Recurring

General Support Meeting

General Meetings are PFLAG NYC broadest offering for support and discussion. We welcome individuals and families with interest around all issues across the LGBTQ+ spectrum — gender identity, sexual orientation, allyship, and more. To register and to receive more information, please click here.

1 event, 11

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Recurring

Neurodiversity & Gender Diversity Meeting

September 11 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

Neurodiversity & Gender Diversity Meeting

The Neurodiversity & Gender Diversity Meeting is a group for parents of kids, teens, and folx who live at the intersection of trans-ness and neurodivergence (ASD, ADHD, PDA, ODD/DMDD, bipolar, anxiety/depressive disorders, etc). Find community and a safe place to share among other families whose transgender and nonbinary loved ones require additional supports. For more information and to register, please click here.

0 events, 12

1 event, 13

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Recurring

Dads Group

September 13 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

Dads Group

This group provides a space for dads to connect with other dads around the topic of their child’s and their family’s coming out process across the range of LGBTQ+ identities. All dads and caregivers in a father-like role are welcome to join. To register and receive more information, please click here.

0 events, 14

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0 events, 18

0 events, 19

0 events, 20

1 event, 21

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Recurring

Partners Group

September 21 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

Partners Group

This group is dedicated to the needs of partners and transitioning partners who are transgender or non-binary people. Like all of PFLAG NYC's support groups, it is peer-led and gives space for individuals in relationships where someone has come out as trans or non-binary to share with others of similar experiences.⁠ To register and receive more information, please click here.

1 event, 22

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Recurring

API Parents & Caregivers Group

September 22 from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EDT Recurring

API Parents & Caregivers Group

This group is a twice-monthly lunchtime discussion group for Asian-Pacific Islander parents & caregivers about their children who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. The group is one of the offerings of API Rainbow Parents, which provides information and support to Asian-Pacific Islander (API) families with a family member who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+). To register and receive more information, please click here.

0 events, 23

1 event, 24

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Recurring

Black Family Circle

September 24 from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT Recurring

Black Family Circle

Black Family Circle is PFLAG NYC’s group dedicated to families and individuals who identify as Black and who have lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) loved ones. It provides a warm and inviting space to gather virtually and find community. This group provides family-to-family support with a focus on the intersection of accepting an LGBTQ+ or same-gender loving (SLG) child and one’s experience as a member of the Black community. While the experiences of being Black in America vary tremendously, there are shared cultural factors that play a role in supporting a family’s well-being, resiliency, and understanding when a loved one comes out as LGBTQ+. Come into the Circle with us! Black Family Circle meets online on the fourth Sunday of every month from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. ET. For more information and to register, please click here.

1 event, 25

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Recurring

General Support Meeting

September 25 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

General Support Meeting

General Meetings are PFLAG NYC broadest offering for support and discussion. We welcome individuals and families with interest around all issues across the LGBTQ+ spectrum — gender identity, sexual orientation, allyship, and more. To register and to receive more information, please click here.

1 event, 26

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Recurring

TransFamilies Project

September 26 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm EDT Recurring

TransFamilies Project

The TransFamilies Project (TFP) is a support group for parents transgender children, as well as other family members and friends. No matter when your child disclosed their gender identity, or what stage of transition they're in, join with others at the TransFamilies Project to meet understanding friends, share important information, and to get (and provide) support as we all travel this special road together. To register and receive more information, please click here.

0 events, 27

0 events, 28

0 events, 29

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0 events, 1

August 28
August 28 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

General Support Meeting

  • There are no events on this day.
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September 4
September 4 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

Loving Elders Support Group

  • There are no events on this day.
September 6
September 6 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

SOGI Tweens Group

  • There are no events on this day.
September 8
September 8 from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EDT Recurring

API Parents & Caregivers Group

September 9
September 9 from 10:00 am - 11:30 am EDT Recurring

El Amor Hace la Familia

September 10
September 10 from 10:00 am - 11:30 am EDT Recurring

TransFamilies Project

September 10 from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT Recurring

API Rainbow Parents Tea with Parents

September 10 from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT Recurring

General Support Meeting

September 11
September 11 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

Neurodiversity & Gender Diversity Meeting

  • There are no events on this day.
September 13
September 13 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

Dads Group

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
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  • There are no events on this day.
September 21
September 21 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

Partners Group

September 22
September 22 from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EDT Recurring

API Parents & Caregivers Group

September 24
September 24 from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT Recurring

Black Family Circle

September 25
September 25 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

General Support Meeting

September 26
September 26 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm EDT Recurring

TransFamilies Project

September 24
September 24 from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT Recurring

Black Family Circle

September 25
September 25 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT Recurring

General Support Meeting

September 26
September 26 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm EDT Recurring

TransFamilies Project

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
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