PFLAG Tri-Cities (Johnson City, Bristol, Kingsport) TN/VA/NC

June 14, 2009

This is from the front page of the Kingsport Times-News!

June 14, 2009

This article accompanied the above in the Kingsport Times-News.

Dr. Kerry Holland and Rev. John Shuck were interviewed by Dave Hogan and Carl Swann during "Thinking Out Loud."  The program was aired Monday morning, May 19th, 2008.  Click to listen to the podcast.

May 8, 2008
Johnson City, TN – Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays for the Tri-Cities Area (PFLAG Tri-Cities) will hold its second meeting Thursday May 15th in Room #315 of Warf-Pickel Hall on the campus of ast Tennessee State University. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

April 23rd, 2008

Our President and Dean of Students approved our showing of the documentary, and we have four wonderful faculty on board to lead the post movie discussion. We will be showing it at 7pm in Wilson Auditorium on the Milligan College campus this Wednesday, April 23rd.

April 13, 2008
This is from the front page of the Johnson City Press.  Rex Barber interviewed Dr. Kerry Holland, Rev. John Shuck, Melanie Teegarden, and Rita Urquhart about the formation of the new chapter.   Here is an excerpt:

“We are hoping to create a supportive community for people who have children or family members who are gay and lesbian or bisexual or transgender,” Holland said. “We are wanting to embrace them so they can continue to be a loving family to their children and siblings. And we want to create a similarly open and loving environment for the GLBT community here in the Tri-Cities area.”

March 29, 2008
"Several counselors, academics, and clergy persons have seen the need for education, support, and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning persons and their families in East Tennessee. This first meeting will brainstorm ideas and set the direction for PFLAG Tri-Cities."

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April 13, 2008

This is from the Kingsport Times-News, page 8B

Melanie Teegarden’s 14-year old daughter faces criticism often because of her sexual orientation.  Teegarden will be attending the PFLAG meeting.  When people ask her questions about her orientation it tends to be with a hostile undertone, and she’s faced physical aggression in school repeatedly,” Teegarden said. “Strangers come up to her on the street and hurl insults at her. And this is just a way that I can stand up for my
daughter and hopefully encourage other parents to stand up for their children as well.”