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!