PFLAG Announces Winston-Salem Support Group for African-American Families

The Winston-Salem PFLAG Chapter has just announced a new African-American support group designed specifically for family members, friends, and straight allies of black gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people as well as for African-American GLBT people.

“A support group for GLBT African Americans, their families, and friends is very much needed in this community. This is a large step in the right direction for PFLAG and I am hoping that it promotes awareness and acceptance in the African American community . . . around the issue of homophobia,” said TaMeicka Clear, board member and chairperson of PFLAG Winston-Salem’s African American outreach program, OUT Like Us.

The first support group meeting will be Monday, August 11 at 7:30 PM at the Southside Branch of the Forsyth County Public Library, located 3185 Buchanan Street. The topic at the first meeting is Does Your Mama Know? Telling the Kinfolk, and will address coming out issues within the African American Community.

The facilitator for the series will be Dr. Michelle Lewis, Associate Professor of Psychology at Winston-Salem State University.Dr. Lewis earned her doctorate from Howard University in Washington, DC and previously facilitated support groups at the Whitman-Walker Clinic, also in Washington, DC. She is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and is a published author.

“Generally speaking, research and outreach to LGBT persons of color is still limited," Dr. Lewis said. "I hope that PFLAG's establishment of this African American support group in Winston Salem will be the first of several more services to meet the needs of this population. It's my hope that the group will be a safe, comforting, and healing space for people to share what's been on their minds and hearts for quite some time."

For more information, visit PFLAG Winston-Salem online. And to discuss the chapter's new outreach efforts to the African-American community, visit Pam's House Blend online.