PFLAG’s Transgender Network would like to see each chapter have one person sufficiently knowledgeable in Trans and intersex issues to be able to respond immediately to any inquiries from Trans people coming out in their community. If your chapter does not currently have such a person, please try to develop one. TNET will supply a basic information packet to each new Transgender Coordinator (Tcord). Reliable additional information is available from our recommended web sites.
Do you remember when you attended your first PFLAG meeting? Members were there who had been where you were – trying to adjust to the news your child had presented to you. Aren’t you glad they were there? Imagine what it would have been like if they did not understand, could not offer support, or – worse yet – didn’t want to talk to you. A first-time attendee at a PFLAG meeting needs to know there is someone there who has an understanding of their concerns.
Transgender Coordinators have the knowledge to help “new” parents and family members through the difficult first steps. Our focus is:
To provide support to trans persons and their families
To share information, especially relating to coming out and other family issues relating to transgender concerns
To educate other PFLAG members within their chapters
To advocate for our transgendered loved ones at all levels of society and government
The only “expertise” needed is a desire to learn and to help others.
If you would like to volunteer, please ask your PFLAG chapter President or Facilitator for their recommendation and to forward your name to: Dave Parker at pflagtnet@triad.rr.com. You can also get more information from your Regional TNET Coordinator.
Regional Coordinators are similar to Transgender Coordinators except they coordinate the activities of the Tcords in their region. Regional Tcords try to ensure that each PFLAG chapter in their region has a Tcord and that the Tcords have all the information they need. When possible, the Regional Tcords travel to various PFLAG chapters within their region to help educate chapter members. PFLAG TNET uses the same regional structure as PFLAG.
Regional Coordinators have the same focus as Tcords. Examples of their other activities are:
Make presentations of information about transgender issues to other PFLAG chapters and to various GLBT, PRIDE, GSA, and similar groups. Help train hot line volunteers in transgender issues so they can relate to their TG callers.
A woman was referred to us by the Myrtle Beach SC chapter. Her daughter had just told her she was beginning the transition F to M. The daughter was in college - several hours away - and the mother was worried about her. The Regional Tcord tried to assist the mother in understanding and accepting this situation (via phone), and the local trans group leader was able to confirm that the daughter was well-connected with other trans students and a good counselor at College.
A woman was referred by the local chapter; her 11 year-old son felt he should be a girl. The boy was performing some self-mutilation, and she needed help finding a good counselor. The Regional Tcord was able to refer her to an experienced counselor on trans issues, and put the mother in touch with the local PFLAG. The Regional Tcord attended her first meeting PFLAG meeting with her.
A hospice in a fair-sized city found themselves with a transgender patient, but no one on staff was sure how to deal with this patient. The Regional Tcord visited the hospice and educated the staff on transsexualism.
>> Return to the PFLAG TNET leaders page.