PFLAG Gainesville Florida holds regular chapter meetings every third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Pride Center of North Central Florida, 3131 NW 13th St. 

Our chapter meetings start at 7:00 p.m. We’ll give you a name tag to fill out so that we’ll know how you like to be addressed. Some of the chapter members will greet and welcome you to the meeting, but you’re always welcome to find a chair and sit quietly if you feel uncomfortable chatting with people you don’t know. Meetings usually start with a few brief announcements and an explanation by our chapter president that everything mentioned at the meeting is private and confidential.

We are not a therapy session or a workshop, we do not want to change you or deny your feelings.

After that, we begin our support session where attendees share information with the group.  You may share and/or ask questions if you feel comfortable.  Again, everything shared in the meeting is private and confidential.

Occasionally speakers address the group. Any attendee can request a topic of discussion or speaker for the next meeting.  After the speaker or program is finished, we usually take a few moments for members to share information with the group if they feel so inclined.  People often stick around to chat with other members, ask questions of our speaker(s), and get to know other people.

We always provide snacks and drinks of various types at the meeting. Some of our members are vegetarian and gluten free, so there’s usually something there for everyone.

You can actually join PFLAG Gainesville FL in a few different ways.

You can Join PFLAG Gainesville FL online. Complete the form with your contact information, and pay your membership fee(s) or make a donation. (PFLAG Gainesville FL never receives your credit card or bank account details, so your private financial information is safe and secure.)

Alternately, you can send a check or money order to:

PFLAG Gainesville
PO Box 358472
Gainesville, FL 32635-8472

Honestly though, most of our members join by bringing a check, money order, or cash to our monthly chapter meetings. When you’re at the meeting, ask any board member for help.

One issue frequently discussed at chapter meetings is the use of the word “queer.” Many people choose to self-identify as queer, but some people are only used to hearing this word as a slur and do not understand why anyone would call herself that. Everyone has their own reasons for the words they choose for themselves, but many people like the word “queer” because it encompasses all non-straight identities. Others use “queer” as the process of reclamation - using a word that had once been used against them as a tool of self-empowerment. Related, some appreciate the provocative  political stance of the word. Regardless of how one identifies, others are encouraged to treat the words others use for themselves with respect and appreciation for the thoughtfulness that people put into their self-expression.