PFLAG was started in the 1970s, with Judy Manford being the organization’s igniter. She witnessed her son being beaten by police during a gay demonstration before she marched in New York’s Gay Pride Parade with a large sign that said “Parents of Gays: Unite in Support of Our Children” and started the whole movement. She received a lot of positive responses, with so many gays and lesbians asking her to talk to their parents and give proper understanding. That was when she decided to start the support group named PFLAG. 20 people attended the first PFLAG meeting.

PFLAG is now one of the largest support groups for parents, families, and friends of gays and lesbians. They have tons of development and support programs as well as valuable resources that can help parents and relatives understand the lesbian and gay communities. There are more than 500 affiliates in the United States, with several other being set up this year. All affiliates provide proper support for parents trying to understand their children’s choice of sexual orientation.

You can also find other programs of PFLAG accessible near you. They often provide education at schools, churches, local government offices, and other spots regarding gay and lesbian civil rights as well as other valuable information regarding the lifestyle and sexual orientation choice. Aside from that, they provide scholarships in various fields for gays and lesbians wanting to pursue higher education. A lot of graduates enjoyed these scholarships and are now part of the world’s best in various fields and majors. PFLAG is a great organization and support group indeed.

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1. Online discussion forums and chat rooms for lesbians and bisexual women. Start searching google for lesbian social sites, discussion forums and activity groups. Take the time to post messages, get involved in the groups and join the live chats. If you see someone who piques your interest send her a polite private message to introduce yourself. Most of all, have fun and get involved. You’ll share and learn knowledge in the process.

2. There are a number of lesbian dating sites online. Lesbian dating sites can be a great place to meet women who are looking for the same thing you are. Lesbian dating is big business online so if you’re serious about wanting to meet someone then there are some things you can do to greatly improve your odds of successfully meeting the right woman online. Join several of the bigger dating sites. Write a profile and include a recent photo of yourself. Make yourself sound interesting. You can do it – tell them about your hobbies or interests. Keep it light and fun to invite responses. Don’t just sit there and wait. Browse through the profiles and send a few friendly messages to let women know you’re interested in them. Finally, don’t stop too soon. It may take months to find your Ms. Right. Anything worthwhile is worth the wait, right? Give it a little time and you may just be successful.

3. Social networking sites have only been around a few years but they have quickly become a way to meet interesting people both locally and worldwide. Be careful of game players but there are thousands of potential friends just waiting to be found in these networks. Most social networking sites allow you to search by geographic location (and sexual orientation) to meet new friends in your area, or perhaps in areas where you’ll be traveling.

4. Gay and lesbian bars can be a good way to get out and socialize with women who speak your language. Most larger cities and many smaller towns have gay and lesbian bars or hangouts where you can meet lesbian and bisexual women. If you’re shy find a friend to go with you the first time, then get to know some folks so you don’t have to go in alone. Do a little research before you go. Many of these bars and nightclubs have a web site where you can check to see when they have women’s night, karaoke, shows, etc. Sometimes it’s easier to show up when there is something of interest to you going on. My maternal instinct kicks in here so I should tell you to be careful of alcoholics and druggies but you can meet some nice people out at the bars and nightclubs.

5. Gay and lesbian social groups exist in many cities. A quick Google search might uncover a local Gay and Lesbian Center, Gay Straight Alliances at local colleges/universities or even a lesbian social group. Look for local lesbian mailing lists at Yahoo and similar services. Sometimes these groups have web sites or print publications where you can introduce yourself. The more you mingle and meet people, the more new people you will meet as you are introduced to friends of friends.

6. Lesbians love sporting activities whether they are playing or watching. Softball, volleyball and basketball are common lesbian interests. So is watching professional sports teams. Many communities have women’s professional sports teams such as football or basketball. If you happen to show up you’re bound to find lesbians both playing and watching. This is an especially useful tip if you happen to live in a smaller town where there are no openly gay and lesbian activities.

7. Church – yes churches can be a great way to meet lesbian women. If your community has a “welcoming congregation,” that usually means the church welcomes gay and lesbian people. Metropolitan Community Churches, Unitarian Universalist Churches and The United Church of Christ among others are known to be welcoming churches. You’re very likely to meet lesbian and bisexual women who never go to the bars. If you’re looking for a committed relationship this might not be a bad place to meet suitable women.

8. Gay neighborhoods and business centers exist in many larger cities. Do a little research to find out if there are gay and lesbian neighborhoods in your area. If so, there are sure to be lesbian friendly coffee shops and hangouts in the neighborhood. You will often find LGBT businesses clustered together in a shopping mall, on a street or in a neighborhood.

9. Local gay publications usually contain personal ads, organizations, welcoming businesses, a calendar of upcoming events, concerts and news of interest to the local community. You can try a Google search for these publications or look at local gay and lesbian bars or businesses. They frequently stock LGBT publications for their customers.

10. Perhaps one of the most effective ways to meet lesbian and bisexual women is through friends. Don’t ever discount the power of friends and networking. If you can only meet one or two lesbian or bisexual friends, that’s enough to get started. It’s great to have friends anyway, but they can introduce you to their lesbian and bisexual friends and before you know it you’ll have a bunch of friends. With these new friends comes the opportunity to meet even more people, engage in fun activities with your new women friends such as hiking, sports, card games or whatever.

I have dedicated much of my life to helping other lesbian, bisexual and bi-curious women work through their feelings and develop meaningful relationships. I sincerely hope something here can help make a difference in your life.

Cherie Branson is the webmaster of Lesbian Flirts Social Networking Site, a free online community where women form new friendships and participate in groups, forums and chat about the lesbian and bisexual lifestyle. You’re welcome to come join us and create your online profile.

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Brighton is nicknamed “the gay capital of Britain” and it’s not hard to see why, the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual community is rather substantial and is served by shops, clubs and bars and many support groups.

Brighton has a great night life and entertainment scene, from comedy, cabaret and top bands, world music, opera and ballet and even west end shows! Brighton has it all. So whatever your tastes and style you will easily be able to find something in Brighton to suit your entertainment needs.

Brighton really is a great place to be in the UK and it is full of great culture and beautiful places to shop, eat and drink. Our directory provides a list of clubs and bars submitted by club owners and visitors to the various venues for you to discover and leave your comments and ratings to. You really can make a difference to the scene when you take time and leave an honest review or rating since other clubbers, like yourself will also benefit from your opinion and experience.

Mirna is co-owner of Brighton Gay Bars a free online directory of gay bars and clubs in Brighton, England. Visitors to Brighton Gay are able to browse and rate or review gay bars and clubs in the Brighton area and club owners are able to submit their clubs and bars, news, photos and upcoming events for free.

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With the assumption that people of like intention can glean more from a travel experience, companies like Spirit Journeys put together itineraries that allow members of the gay community to share the experience of spiritual growth while coming in contact with places with mystical qualities and natural beauty. In this sense, gay travel can be infinitely more meaningful and memorable. Without the strain of being grouped with non-gays, an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding is created, thus providing a greater opportunity to learn and share. With spiritual growth as the main goal of a trip, the sites and activities become more than something to gawk at, but something to experience.

There are many advantages and benefits to this type of experience. A major draw of this type of gay travel are the facilitators. Instead of providing you with mere tour guides who are there to explain what you are seeing, facilitators are there to help you personally experience the mystical aspect and beauty of the ancient sites. While they are not there to tell you how or what to feel, they are a great encouragement and can actually enhance your spiritual journey. If there are skills required such as yoga meditation, the facilitator will gently guide you in this area. They are there to also help you have fun.

Visiting sites of ancient civilizations, experiencing the mystical qualities found there, the wealth of information provided by the facilitators, and the sought after enlightenment that many experience, all make this type of gay travel not only extraordinary and life changing. For this reason, this type of travel can be called a pilgrimage. Pilgrimages are not trips that anyone takes every year. However, in days gone by, that has been the case for some cultures. More importantly, pilgrimages for the gay community are very necessary for spiritual growth and happiness.

Howie Holben is owner and caretaker of Spirit Journeys. Since early childhood, he has been drawn to indigenous peoples and their spiritual teachings, traditions and practices. This attraction has taken him on many adventures, exploring the countless ways of “being in the world”. His personal journey through addiction and recovery has spawned in him a need to assist others on their own spiritual path and he takes great pleasure in introducing others to practices, sacred ways and cultures to help them “step outside their box”. He is a Reiki and Karuna Ki Master and also a Quantum Touch and Breathwork Practioner. His goal is to help others uncover their potential by setting their hearts and minds free.
You can learn more about gay travel with a spiritual focus at Spirit Journeys.

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There is much history to be mined.  Contrary to what we’ve long been told, gay men have been around since time began.  It is a worthwhile endeavor to learn about these brave, stout and sexy men who came before us.  The history of any people is fascinating, enlightening and valuable, and the history of gay men is a rich one, replete with heroes, sportsmen, artisans, and a myriad of other wonderful souls.

Dig deeply into the history of your gay heritage, and you will better understand yourself. We all recognize that internalized homophobia is one of the reasons many of us stay in denial about our sexuality for years. Some men never come to grips with their need for the love of other men. But to know that the men you’ve read about in your history books had the same natural desires, the same needs, will strengthen your resolve to live your life to the fullest, and to be the gay man you were born to be.

The internet has revolutionized our lives. History is at our fingertips, and all the resources we need are handy. The things we were never taught in school, that has been taboo even in the home and kept in secret places all our lives are now readily accessible. Take heart as you journey on the world wide web and discover what antiquity has in store for you.

Here are some informative websites that will entertain, enlighten and enchant you. There is a wealth of information available, all of which will make your gay journey that much more enjoyable.

The Word History of Gay Love (search under “gay-art-history”) tells us that “the male love instinct is a universal constant,” and that “male love was part of the social and religious fabric” throughout history. Did you know that William Shakespeare’s greatest sonnets were written to his young male lover? Or that Alexander the Great was smitten with his lover, Hephaestion? The Roman Emperor Hadrian loved a Greek youth names Antinous.

But of course, that’s not all the news fit to print on the site. Among the other features are homosexual traditions throughout the ancient world; a contemporary gay art gallery along with a European gay art gallery from, predominantly, the 19th century; a section on gay mythology. In short, a comprehensive and fascinating look at how we loved each other over the centuries.

The GLBT Encyclopedia is “the world’s largest encyclopedia of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer culture.” Sections on literature, the arts, social sciences and more will provide you with a wealth of history, covering a truly encyclopedic variety. Wandering around the site, you can’t help but be thrilled to learn of all those who’ve gone before. Putting a face on the gays of the past helps us so much in dealing with our current lives. The site tracks birthdates of our famed brethren, highlights a sideshow on the symbols of gay pride, and affords us the ability to research through its archives to reap from the past.

The Equity Archives has a wonderful collection of gay studies, including photographs, slides, videos, personal papers; mostly related to gay life in Connecticut. The archivist is, in fact, Central Connecticut State University, and a Google search for the Equity Archives should bring you where you wish to be.

The Outweek Internet Archive (search hint: “outweek”) contains every issue (105 in all) of OutWeek Magazine, which was published in New York City from June of 1989 until April of 1991. OutWeek was an activist publication and their input was critical in those days of activism and rallying around issues pertaining to AIDS and Gay Rights.

Out History (search hint: “out history”) is an interactive contains historical exhibits, Colonial American history concerning the sexual activity of the era and the concurrent punishment wielded, and a wide variety of photo exhibits, art exhibits, and a smattering of stories of gay life (actually LGBTQ life) throughout the ages.

The history of gay love is a fascinating one. Learning about the love the men of antiquity had for one another, about the great literati of the past whose gay love affairs were hidden in their writings, how great warriors had male lovers; all these examples and so many more are available to us. For those who have struggled with their feelings of inadequacy because of their gay needs and desires, and for those questioning their desire for other men, sites such as those noted above are critical to the acceptance of one’s sexuality.

Yes, we’re advised by society at large that homosexual love is unnatural, obscene and a pox on the people; but we aren’t driven by lust but by our natural inclinations. Men loving men is natural, part of the genetic makeup, and to learn the history of gay men throughout history is validation for those who struggle. For those on the verge of coming out, those who are terrified at the thought of coming out, and for those who’ve readily accepted themselves, there is fascinating information at hand, valuable and fun all at once.

T. J. Travis is a rapidly-emerging and well-respected writer, with expertise on Gay life, traditions, and history.

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Parents may start to wonder whether their child is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered for a variety of reasons. Maybe your young son likes to play “dress up” in Mom’s clothing and makeup. Or your pre-teen daughter would rather read comics than “YM.” Perhaps your teenager dropped some hints, or even came out to you.

First, don’t panic! It’s normal for children and younger pre-teens to experiment with what it means to be a boy or a girl. Older adolescents often question their identity as part of the growing-up process.

Second, don’t panic! GLBT kids need the support of their families more than ever. The worst thing you can do is withdraw from your child, or exclude him or her from the family. (An estimated 30% of homeless youth identify as a sexual minority; most are homeless because their families threw them out, or were physically or emotionally abusive when their identity became known.) Your child is still the same person you know and love. If your teen came out to you, recognize you’ve been given a gift: their trust in you, and their desire for you to really know who they are.

Third, educate yourself. You should know: Homosexuality is not considered an illness or defect. Sexual and gender identity seems to be something we’re born with, not something created by “bad parenting” or “poor morals.” There are GLBT people in all professions, cultures, religions, and walks of life. With support from family, friends, and community, GLBT youth grow up to be as happy and healthy as their heterosexual peers.

Fourth, get support. It’s normal for parents to struggle with conflicting feelings over having a GLBT child. A sensitive, experienced therapist can help you and your family work through grief, shame, anger, and estrangement, with the goal of keeping family relationships intact. Support groups such as PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbian and Gay) can also be helpful.

For More Articles by Therapists on this and other Topics, go to http://www.therapylinx.com

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Homosexuals will find West Hollywood as one of the most active andfriendliest cities in the US. There is plenty to do with a wide assortment of LGBT bars, shops, social activities, clubs, hotels and sport’s activities. Los Angeles is known to be the most actively, rich place for homosexuals to hang out and live. Some of the larger events are held in LA for Gay Pride, the Halloween Carnaval, and Outfest. For gay visitors visiting Los Angeles, West Hollywood is a good place to explore.

There are hundreds of Churches and faith related organizations that are (LGBT) homosexual-friendly all over the Los Angeles metropolitan area. There are plenty of online resources to help select a church or other faith related organization in the LA area. Churches are not only a place to continue to practice faith, but it is also a great place for LGBT support and resources too. One church which offers educational grants and resources for troubled LGBT youth is the Good Shepherd Church in Pasadena, CA, located 15 minutes from downtown Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley.

Gay bashing and how to prevent it has been an ongoing battle for many years. Unfortunately, gay bashing still exists. There are many organizations that offer help in the fight to end gay bashing. If you are experiencing harassment due to your sexual orientation, seek help immediately. Do not wait for an incident to occur which may have irreversible consequences. The resources are there. Use them.

The month of June is known as Pride Month for the LGBT community. Throughout the month of June during Pride Month, there are ongoing celebrations of events, exhibits, theatre, film, music, poetry, art exhibits and so much more. Christopher Street West, City of West Hollywood, partner organizations, supporters and sponsors all contribute to support and celebrate the June 28, 1969 anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City. Most historians consider it to be the anniversary of the LGBT Civil Rights movement. With millions of people showing up from all over the country, make Pride Month one of the biggest celebrated months of the year.

LGBT youth support centers and organizations are available in the LA area. A big support center for LGBT Americans is the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center or LAGLC. The LAGLC was found in 1971. It is an excellent resource to be involved with. They advocate for the rights of LGBT and help enrich their lives on many levels of support. They offer many services like free HIV/AIDS care and medications for those who need it. They also offer housing, clothing, food and any support for homeless youth.

There are a lot of services and support for those who are an LGBT living in Los Angeles area. The resources are available and can be found online. Being a homosexual living in Los Angeles happens to have more support, resources and entertainment than any other place in the United States including youth services and homeless prevention.

Visit a friendly gay church Pasadena residents call home in Los Angeles. The Good Shepherd Church in Pasadena offers support and assistance to the LGBT community. More than a gay church – it’s a church for everyone.

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The alternative to this is to connect with others online who share similar experiences and lifestyles. The World Wide Web has connected gay individuals around the world, due in part to gay blogs. These are blogs written by and for gay individuals to express themselves and to connect with others. A gay blog allows a GLBT individual to communicate with others and seek support. It allows them to say what is on their mind and ask the questions they are contemplating but not allowed to say at home because of the environment they live in. The blog can be used to write what is on their mind, talk about various experiences or even just post poetry about their sexual orientation. These are all great starting points to exploring and sharing one’s sexual orientation with others.

There are many GLBT individuals realizing their identity everyday and struggling with the fact that they don’t know who to turn to answers or even have someone listen to them. It can be both a confusing and stressful time, and they deserve to have support. Although a gay blog may not give them the adequate support they seek or deserve, it is an outlet to express one’s feelings to those who care. In order to receive positive support for their blog posts, one should consider posting within a gay community website so that their blogs are more secure and will only be seen by other GLBT members and allies who are a part of that site. It also gives them a chance to learn from others who have similar life experiences. In addition to writing a gay blog, GLBT individuals can utilize the internet to find others who write gay blogs as well.

A gay blog can also be used to find other GLBT individuals in and around one’s own community. If they feel comfortable revealing their location on the blog, someone else seeking support might come across it and send them a message. Allies of GLBT folks may also reach out to the person with the blog and establish a PFLAG chapter in that area. PFLAG chapters are often started by parents and allies of gay individuals who have just come out. It is their way of showing support to their child and other gay individuals in the local area. A gay blog can alert GLBT allies that someone in the area seeks support and could benefit greatly from a local PFLAG chapter.

Popescu Ion is an editor at http://en.darkq.net, a gay blog that aims to cover a diversity of topics, some of them related to LGBT issues such as homophobia, coming out, sexuality, religion & culture, while other topics are related to life, health and family matters.

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o Don’t Condemn. Bear in mind that it took your child lots of guts and trust to confess her real sexuality so don’t be too harsh on her. She is also suffering a tremendous transformation and adjustment like you so try your best to understand her no matter how hard it may seem. Saying cruel words or giving her the hand won’t help her to change, rather lower her self esteem. Accepting your child’s sexual orientation may be tough but reproaching and disowning them may lead them to do nasty things or worse commit suicide.

o Dump the Psychiatrist. Your child is not abnormal so cut off the idea of calling a Psychiatrist to treat your child as this will only worsen the situation. Don’t force her to acknowledge the idea that she is just undergoing through a phase. While it is pretty normal at first for you to deny the truth, giving your child the cold shoulder treatment and acting as if they don’t even exist for more than a month is unacceptable. Perhaps it is you who needs to see a Psychiatrist for some counseling.

o Don’t Just Accept. Digesting and accepting your child’s sexuality usually takes time, and when you have finally rearranged your thoughts in deciding to accept your child’s homosexuality, you must really accept it wholeheartedly and not half baked. Meaning, your acceptance should go hand in hand with your support, especially on the emotional side as she will greatly need it.

o Drop the Society. The world is full of prejudiced and self righteous people. People who think highly of themselves, and when others go against their standards; they would start judging them ruthlessly. Who sets the standards anyway? It is just the society who does. As how Morrie puts it in the book Tuesdays with Morrie, “If the culture doesn’t work for you, don’t buy it.” If you keep on thinking what other people will say against you and your family, you can never be happy. You wouldn’t want to sacrifice your child’s happiness just because of people who couldn’t talk about anything else than other people, right? Religion may be a crucial point to consider and the biggest hindrance in fully accepting your child’s homosexuality but use your own wisdom and judgment to understand the truth about things. The society might turn against her so please don’t join them.

o Stop Blaming Yourself. Your child’s sexual preference is not your failure so stop putting the blame on yourself. Remember that it is not your child’s choice to be gay/lesbian. There’s nothing wrong, it’s just that your child did not meet your expectations on her. Even so, just because your child is gay does not mean that she can’t be a good daughter or person like heterosexuals. More often than not, some homosexuals even lead a good life than heterosexuals do.

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But they shouldn’t feel good about it. Sometimes a friend might joke around with you and say, “You’re gay”, or something like that……but what if you really were “gay”? Or even if someone has made fun of a gay person and found out that they are gay themselves? I bet then they would feel bad. Besides, it’s about love….not gender.

If you’re a girl that likes girls, I don’t think you should feel bad about it because it’s the way that you are. But if you really are wondering why you don’t like guys….then you should talk to somebody about it that truly understands. What would you do if your friend didn’t show up to your wedding? You shouldn’t worry about it because they’re just making a fool of themselves by not coming. You should take into mind that sometimes “straight” people can’t get it through their heads that it’s not about your gender…….it’s love that counts, and who you are on the inside.

Most people think gay marriage is wrong because that’s not their platform. They just figure, “Hey! They’re not like us. Let’s go make fun of them!” I find that very disrespectful to nature. We are all human beings and should be treated with proper respect. Whatever happened to “All men are created equal”…….I mean, I know it was for a different topic…but still! God, people, show some respect for crying out loud!

It is not wrong to have a friendship with a gay person. I know someone that is bi-sexual and she is a very nice person. She is also very pretty. Just because you’re gay doesn’t mean that you’re ugly or something….because you’re not. What I personally think is that beauty comes from the inside….which IS natural beauty. But you can also have it on the outside no matter who you are.

My point is that gays shouldn’t be made fun of by who they are. They are beautiful in their own way. We are all humans and need to be respected through equal treatment….not differently from eachother. I wish that everyone would see and understand that just because you’re gay, you shouldn’t be a joke of the world or something.

My only resources are my thoughts

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