By Janice Anderson

The PFLAG Houston General meeting, held on second Sundays, is moving from St. Paul’s Methodist Church to the Montrose Center, 401 Branard Street, Houston 77006. We have enjoyed our time at the church, but we are moving to be closer to other LGBTQIA+ programming available at the Montrose Center. Please mark the new location on your calendar.

The first presentation at our new location, June 9, is called “Transgender 101.” Vonda Covington, our speaker, is a family law attorney in Fort Bend County, Texas. Covington’s son was 19 years old when he came out as transgender. She soon realized that most people have no real concept of what being transgender is or how it impacts a person’s life. Covington has developed a presentation for local bar associations to educate lawyers about transgender issues, which she is thrilled to share with PFLAG.

Covington and her son, Zander, will be leading a panel to discuss what it means to be transgender (and what it doesn’t), the impact of being transgender on a person’s life, what transgender people need from cis-gender, or non-transgender) people. Covington will also cover the state of the law in Texas for changing one’s gender marker.

Covington belongs to the National LGBT Bar Association, Texas State Bar LGBT Section, and Stonewall Law Association of Greater Houston.

Doors open at 1:30 p.m. We meet in Room 106 at The Montrose Center, 401 Branard Street. The general meeting runs from 2 ’til 3 p.m. with small groups meeting until 4:20p.m. We have a small group for people who want support for issues of sexuality (LGB) and one for gender identity (TQI+)

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 St., 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 Blvd, Pearland, Texas at 2 ’til 3:30 p.m. Use Jasmine St 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.