Cartoon of a figure energetically stepping out of a closet, with text reading "National Coming Out Day" and "October 11.

Coming out isn’t about the parents

By Janice Anderson

“How does this affect me?†is often the thought family and parents have when their loved one comes out. I thought that. I wondered how it would affect my close relationship with my child. Would he still want to go shopping with me? Would he still want to go to the same movies and watch the same television shows with me? Would we still just hang out? As parents, though, the coming out process is not about us. It is about our child. It is about what we can do to support them. It’s not about us.

PFLAG’s October guest speaker at our General Meeting will share the coming out process from the LGBTQ person’s side. Michael Migura will review the stages of the coming out process, a process of self-acceptance and identity development for individuals. Possible barriers to successfully navigating the process will be reviewed. Migura will also discuss how the process might apply to friends and family as well.

Migura is a senior trainer for the Centene Corp Texas Foster Care Program. Since 2007, Migura has been building relationships with foster care stakeholders and advocating for the needs of children in foster care across Texas. In addition, Migura has over 20 years of experience as a trainer in the Behavioral Health field. Michael currently leads the Centene foster care curriculum development committee, has trained extensively on trauma informed care and developed specialized initiatives to target specific needs identified in the community. Additionally, Migura serves as an advocate and consultant to behavior health, social work and child welfare providers regarding services to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community.

Migura is a part of a multidisciplinary workgroup working to help Child Protective Services develop and implement policies and practices to insure affirming practices for LGBTQ children and youth in CPS (Child Proective Services).

Join us on October 13 at this meeting to learn how to support your child as they come out. Doors open at 1:45 p.m. We meet in Room 113/114 at The Montrose Center, 401 Branard Street. The general meeting runs from 2 p.m. ’til 3 p.m. followed by small groups meeting until 4:20 p.m. We have a small group for people who want support for issues of sexuality (LGB) and one for gender identity (TQI+). During small groups, folks can share their stories, share worries and receive support from other parents, family members or allies who are on the same journey.

PFLAG Houston has four other small groups which meet during the month to share support throughout the metro area:

Third Thursday of each month at Bering United Methodist Church. 1140 Harold Street, Houston, Texas at 7 p.m. Use entrance beside back parking lot.

Fourth Sunday of each month at Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church, Fellowship Hall. 17503 El Camino Real Drive, Clear Lake, Texas at 2 p.m.

Fourth Tuesday of each month at First Christian Church, 22101 Morton Ranch Road, Katy, Texas at 7 p.m. Enter through front doors.

Last Sunday of the month at First United Methodist Church, 2314 N. Grand Boulevard, Pearland, Texas at 2 ’til 3:30 p.m. Use the Jasmine Strett entrance, room B211 in the Bethel Building.

PFLAG Houston is committed to supporting families and educating the public about LGBT issues, and invites all to consider the group’s numerous volunteer opportunities. PFLAG Houston is also passionate about advocacy to ensure equal human rights and end discrimination. PFLAG Houston invites all family members, parents and/or youth who are having problems with coming out issues, and welcomes everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, ethnicity or political persuasion. The group is proud of its rich history and the continued contributions of members, and invites all to learn more about the organization and join in efforts to create a more diverse, accepting society. Find a home in PFLAG.

For information about support, upcoming events and meetings, as well as up-to-date news relevant to PFLAG Houston’s family and friends, visit PFLAGHouston.org, email janice_anderson@yahoo.com, or call the PFLAG Helpline at 713-467-3524.

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