PFLAG South Atlantic Region

Dear PFLAGer’s,

Wow, another year has come and gone so fast that I think I may have whiplash! Hopefully you and your local chapter will be able to review some of your accomplishments in 2008 and have new goals to achieve in 2009. One thing for sure is that if anything was accomplished it was because you didn’t quit, and I see many examples of that attitude throughout the PFLAG organization. That same determination will make this a fantastic 2009 for this organization. Your enthusiasm is contagious and I want to say ‘Thank You’.

Fortunately for my partner Carla and I we were able to experience this enthusiasm and see what it can accomplish a few weeks ago in Berea, Kentucky. Berea is one of most beautiful and accepting towns that I have ever visited. You must go just to experience the richness of it’s history and character, see the handiwork of all the local artisans, and enjoy all the hospitality.

Berea is a very progressive little town with a PFLAG chapter that has seen it’s membership slowly dwindle down. Sometimes when we are in areas that seem to be so accepting it may seem that the need for a PFLAG chapter may not be necessary but the day I arrived Berea’s PFLAG president, Grover Farr, told me stories he had only recently heard of local young people who had been rejected by their families for coming out. There is such a need for PFLAG.

 This PFLAG chapter that may have been struggling has also made a positive impact on lives which was apparent when Grover showed me a stained glass piece that had been given to the local chapter by a young man whose life had been touched by PFLAG.

PFLAG-Berea/Madison County has enthusiasm and determination and when the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus contacted them about hosting a Holiday Concert this chapter made things happen. Grover Farr and the PFLAG chapter took a lot of elbow grease and a lot of faith made this an evening that was the highlight of the holiday season for Carla and me. They secured Union Church for the performance that would have the audience members experiencing laughter, tears and joy for the season. The quality of the performance was undeniable and the acoustics of the large mostly wooden sanctuary with one of the most beautiful church organs I have seen. Grover and PFLAG-Berea/Madison County–kudos to you and thank you for the inspiration.

I was also able to visit the Tri-Cities PFLAG chapter in Johnson City. This is a newer chapter and boy are they on fire! The Tri-Cities December meeting featured representatives from Lambda Legal who are representing a case where I would say the victim has suffered unfair treatment from the local law enforcement agency and from the local paper. The victim in this matter was also present at the meeting and he has been without work for a year because of a press release from the police department–the pain in his voice was so undeniable. The thing even more disturbing to me is the fact that there was one voice that wasn’t heard from this incident and that was the voice of a man who would kill himself as a result of this event. How many precious lives have been lost and how many precious lives will we lose before equality is reality?

One thing that I encourage all of you to do is go see the movie MILK. The movie gives so much history to let the newer generation see how the road was paved in creating the movement we have today. I have heard from many chapters that are actively getting the movie in your area or planning to see the movie and then possibly have discussions. Milk was brought to Knoxville, Tennessee in December by the Tennessee Equality Project, Knoxville Human Rights for All and other groups. Following the well attended movie several leaders of various groups were invited to speak briefly and I was able tell a little about PFLAG and what we do.

During the last of 2008 the Southern Atlantic Region of PFLAG has experienced another travesty in Memphis, Tennessee as many of you may have heard. We have had another trans-sister shot, shot in face and hospitalized. I haven’t heard anything else about her this past week. She is the third transsexual to be shot in Memphis during the last 6 months (the two others were found dead). Then again today I read of the lesbian who was gang raped repeatedly in San Francisco. Another new day and another new year, and on this new day of this new year I will shed some tears but I will also experience hope because I see concern on the faces of the members of chapters that I meet, I see the work that you are doing and I am very confident in the leadership and commitment of PFLAG National.

Blessings for 2009,
Jaime Combs

I promised you a better introduction of myself on Thanksgiving weekend so let me take some time to introduce myself.

My name is Jaime Combs and I am now the new South Atlantic Regional Director since Jerry Miller’s term has ended.  Recently we had a regional director’s meeting in Washington, D.C. which gave me an opportunity to meet other regional directors and personally meet the president of PFLAG and it’s staff.  Everyone was onhand to watch Jerry Miller being recognized for his service.  Jerry has always been an active part of PFLAG and we are very fortunate to have his continued support at the Asheville chapter.(He has also agreed to be a resource for me!)

I grew up in Elizabethton a small town of northeast Tennessee.  When I left Elizabethton it was to attend Johnson Bible College in Knoxville.  I thought I would be able to place my focus entirely on service and ministry.  However, it became glaringly apparent that in order to be of service, I must also be allowed to be the person that I felt God had created.

Unfortunately, who I was and the path I felt was right for me would not be acceptable to the college or the more conservative churches where I grew up.  I grew up always knowing that I was “different” because although my gender was biologically male my identity was overwhelmingly female.  I thought that this would just be a “cross I would have to bear” and that people like me had to have great wealth to have surgery, move away to a place where no one knows you, and hopefully get re-established.  Fortunately, I found a good therapist who counseled transgendered people and  I was  able to develop into the person that I am.

I currently live with my partner of 5 years, Carla, who is also transgendered.  I had always wanted to work with youth; four years ago, Carla’s two children came to live with us.  The children are now young adults and have moved on.  It has allowed us to be a little more active for the GLBT community without bringing any unwanted attention to them.  It has been difficult with both our children leaving home to go to Oklahoma, but don’t worry about me getting “empty nest” syndrome.  Carla and I have 5 birds! (For the bird enthusiasts: we have a Ruby Macaw, a Blue and Gold Macaw, a Cockatoo and two Solomon Island Eclectus)

Over the years I have come in contact with many people from the GLBT community.  I have felt the shame and embarrassment of GLBT people confessing to me their “secret”; lost two extraordinarily bright, talented, and loving people to suicide because they couldn’t bear the pain of being different; and this year, I witnessed fear and hatred consume someone so deeply they would kill people.  These victims were not part of the GLBT community, but they were targeted because they would associate with people who were different.  (I am referring to the July 27th shooting at my church, TVUUC in Knoxville, TN.) These many events have now made it a necessity for me to take part in groups that are making a positive impact.  PFLAG was a natural choice.

As your regional director I have been struggling with paperwork for my chapter, which many of you may be dealing with as well.  Carla and I were able to attend a meeting in Johnson City, TN at the Tri-Cities PFLAG chapter.  It is so very encouraging to see the good work and all the energy at the Tri-Cities PFLAG, which is a newer chapter.  I am looking forward to seeing their future accomplishments.

This Saturday, I will be traveling to Berea, Kentucky to see the Cincinnatti Men’s Chorus perform.  This event for all of Berea to enjoy will only be possible because of the hard work from the Berea chapter, one of PFLAG’s chapters that has been re-forming.  What a wonderful way to get PFLAG’s name out in such a public setting.  Grover and the Berea chapter, we applaud your diligence to bring Saturday’s performance to fruition.  Best of luck and I will look forward to meeting you.

I look forward to correspondence with your chapter and I am committed to service and visiting many of your local chapters in the next two years.

May this be a truly joyous time for you, and may your chapters be renewed as we look forward to a new year.  Blessings to all this holiday season!