History

A former steel city in northeast Ohio, in the 1980s Youngstown had virtually no organized gay community The Youngstown Area PFLAG began in 1989 primarily as a safe place for gay men.  It was founded by Joe Bordo, who was the AIDS-risk-reduction specialist for the Youngstown Health District.  The group continued under the leadership of John Edwards in the early 1990s, functioning mainly as a social and support group for gays and lesbians.  As John's efforts became more focussed on support of AIDS patients, facilitation of the group continued to be led by parents of gay children as well as GLBT persons. The Chapter is now about 50% gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered members and 50% family members.  Its activities reflect the threefold mission of PFLAG: support, education, and advocacy.
 
 

Feel welcome to come to the monthly meetings.  They are informal, welcoming, non-judgmental, and confidential.   Our monthly meetings are for sharing and support.  We discuss our experiences, our needs, and our questions.  By sharing we know we are not alone. By sharing we hope to educate ourselves and develop a deeper understanding of the people we love.  People in attendance are invited to introduce themselves and relate their stories, but if new members feel more comfortable just listening at first, that's O.K. too.  Our schedule usually begins with one hour of conversation followed by a 15-minute break and continues with conversation together or in smaller groups, as the attendance permits. For further meeting details please call Help Hotline at 330-747-2696.
 
 

Sometimes people want to speak with someone and can't wait until a scheduled meeting to express their feelings or ask their question.  PFLAG members are not experts, but they are parents and friends who want to help. We can be reached through HELP HOTLINE, a 24-hour information hotline: 330-747-2696.