PFLAG South Atlantic Region

Wow, we’ve barely started the new year and equality is battling it out in the courts. We hope for simple sensibilities to prevail in California after the Passage of Proposition 8 and we are still recovering from marriage equality’s heartbreaking loss in New Jersey. Fortunately the New Year is bringing the promise of new growth in PFLAG’s South Atlantic Region. We have spoken to possible new chapter leaders in North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Flatrock/Hendersonville

Recently, I traveled to North Carolina’s Hendersonville/Flat Rock Chapter. Despite the weather we had a good turnout and there was a new face! YOUR chapter has an impact on others simply because it’s there. Just remember, you never know when that new person will show up at a meeting-keep persevering!

I must highlight the Greater Knoxville Area PFLAG Chapter. They (and others) recently held their first event for the public: a seminar for parenting GLBT children with Dr. Gary Grossman. Dr. Grossman has over 25 years psychoanalytical analysis experience in the GLBT community. The event was an overwhelming success with nearly 60 in attendance. This well received event went off without a hitch and is a great example of what can be done with a vision and a little teamwork.

Speaking of visions and teamwork, we need to find a chapter willing to be a host for a state/regional meeting. These meetings/conventions need to be at a place that could accommodate 50-60 people. This may seem like a big task, hosting a convention, but if we can find a chapter willing to find a venue for the event then we can get other chapters to take on responsibilities such as publicity and other needs. So please get with your chapters and let me know if you have any options for sponsoring a meeting.

PFLAG National also has a variety of training information so let us know what you would like the program to be – this is for you and your chapter so let us know what your needs are. From the chapters that I have talked to it seems like many of you want to know how to get the word out about your chapter and about PFLAG, how to maintain strong leadership, and how to better outreach to the community. Again, this event is for YOU, so what would most help you and your chapter?

Here’s wishing you and your chapter a productive 2010!

Jaime Combs

This week I will have my profile picture blacked out in observance of TDOR (transgender day of remembrance). I am doing this for the many faces that will no longer be seen. Crimes and murders against transgender individuals have nearly doubled this year alone. In many cases when a transgender individual is killed their bodies are mutilated and often the perpetrators aren’t prosecuted; frequently the victims remain unidentified. I have a transgender friend who hid as her roommate (also trans) was shot in the head and in the heart, her face was nearly shot off but she would remain alive until after the paramedics arrived (the perpetrator of this crime was basically put on house arrest).

Transgender people serve as your doctors and professors, we fix your hair, your coffee or your computer, we entertain. There are also many transgender people who work in the sex industry–maybe they want to, maybe they face job discrimination, maybe they feel like it’s all that they are worth, maybe they have been disowned by family and simply thrown away–how many times can you hear that you are an abomination, a freak or made to feel less than human and still feel worthy of being a part of ‘mainstream’ society.

I have yet to meet a transgender person who has not had a suicide attempt or seriously contemplated suicide, and there are many suicides of transgender individuals that don’t get reported because of the ’shame’ associated with this condition.

I don’t know all of the reasons why people are transgender nor do I fully understand all of the reasons that this is such a difficult issue for many churches and for society to deal with. What I do know is that we don’t have to agree on everything but that everyone has the right to be treated with respect and dignity. Another thing that I also know is that there is an emptiness from the loss of my brothers and sisters whose lives were taken too early and their stories will never be told; and that I live with the fear that there is a greater probability I can be murdered or my friends can be attacked because of who I am (and I have witnessed firsthand the murder of a friend nearly a year ago and that will take a lifetime to heal). I know that I will cry a river this week, I know that I am depressed (I also know this will pass) and I know that there will be the dawn of a new day (although I can never say the sun will come out tomorrow-and some of you may know why). I know that the probability that more lives of my brothers and sisters being taken is inevitable; but I know that I will tell my story just a little more than I have in the past, and I know that I have seen changes in peoples attitudes and I know that I will not stop working for equality, and I know that now more than ever I am grateful for my family and for my friends.

Fellow PFLAGger’s,

I hope that everyone is finally enjoying some warmer weather and making summer plans.  I encourage you and your local PFLAG chapters to make plans to participate in any area Pride Celebrations and Parades.  You will find excellent opportunities to meet wonderful people and also to get the word out about the work that you are doing with PFLAG.  Hopefully you will see some of the impact from the work that PFLAG and other groups are accomplishing.

We have a lot to celebrate with our chapters and the work that they are doing and also we can celebrate the fact that marriage equality is being embraced by another state, legislation is being presented for justice to those who perpetrate crimes against us and I believe that we will see schools actively seek ways where students don’t have to suffer in silence from harassment and bullying.  We cannot rest until there is full equality and equality will not be attainable without YOU!

Speaking of celebrating, Tri-Cities PFLAG (east Tennessee) is celebrating their First Anniversary.  Kerry Holland (president) and John Shuck have provided EXCELLENCE in leadership and Tri-Cities PFLAG is a thriving chapter with energetic members who want to make a difference and are active in that pursuit.

Recently I had the honor of speaking, along with David and Joan Parker, at East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, North Carolina.  This is the first year for their GSA and the group was so inquisitive and SOOO polite.  How pleasant it is to see such accepting young people in high school, this is a club that would never have been allowed to form when I was in high school and to this day my high school STILL doesn’t have a GSA. 

I also recently had the joy of presenting Catherine Carmichael with a plaque honoring her dedication for the last 18 months as PFLAG Asheville’s president.  Catherine has recently resigned after serving tirelessly to PFLAG and the LGBT community in Western North Carolina.  One of the most recent programs and most successful programs of PFLAG Asheville is Youth OUTright, a dynamic group of young people which was started through PLFAG and is now their own independent entity.  Please view their website http://www.youthoutright.org/.

I would love to hear from your chapter.  The South-Atlantic Region covers the states of Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Kentucky.  Fortunately I have been able to visit chapters in Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina.  If you would like a visit don’t hesitate to call or e-mail me and we will get a time set up.

Jaime Combs
PFLAG Regional Director
South Atlantic Region
(865) 755-1362
jaime@pflagsouthatlantic.org

http://pflagsouthatlantic.org

According to a press release from the Fayetteville Police Department:

At approximately 0004 hours on Tuesday April 14th Fayetteville Police Officers along with EMS responded to 119 Joseph St in Bonne Doone reference an unconscious, unresponsive subject. Upon their arrival to the scene officers discovered a B/M approximately 35 years of age deceased at the edge of the roadway in front of 119 Joseph St. The investigation is currently being worked as a homicide. The name of the victim is not being released pending notification of the next of kin. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Fayetteville Police Department Homicide Investigation Unit at 433-1856 or call Crime Stoppers at 483-TIPS (483-8477)

Q-Notes News Article

Police confirmed on Tuesday afternoon the identity of a homicide victim found near a local gay and lesbian bar.

According to the Fayetteville Police Department, officers found transgender drag performer Imaje Devera (born Jimmy Ali McCollough), 34, shortly after midnight on April 14 in front of 119 Joseph St. The body was found near Club Emages, formerly Club Spektrum.

Police are not releasing any more information at the time, including how the victim died, citing the sensitive nature of the case.

Club Emages owner Dy’Mond Cartier told Raleigh news station WRAL that police said Devera had been stabbed and that the case was being investigated as a hate crime.