Dear PFLAG Los Angeles Family,

I want to start this month with some good news.
A federal judge recently dismissed the U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuit challenging California’s policies allowing transgender students to participate on school sports teams that match their gender identity. There are still plenty of battles ahead for trans young people and their families, but this one is worth celebrating. Trans kids deserve the same chance as every other kid to play, compete, and be part of a team.
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and I hope we’ll use it as a reminder to check in on the LGBTQ+ people in our lives. The numbers are hard to ignore.

According to the CDC, a 2023 national survey found that 20% of LGBTQ+ high school students had attempted suicide in the prior 12 months, compared with 6% of their cisgender and heterosexual peers.

That’s a painful difference. And it’s important to remember that being LGBTQ+ isn’t what puts young people at risk. Stigma, bullying, discrimination, and rejection can take a real toll. Having people in your corner—family, friends, teachers, or simply a community where you feel like you belong—can make a difference.

If you or someone you know needs support, please keep these resources handy:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386
Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860

You can find more crisis and support resources on PFLAG LA’s resources page.

And finally, September 15 begins Hispanic Heritage Month. Here in Los Angeles, that allows us to celebrate the LGBTQ+ Latine people and families who are such an important part of our community. But that support shouldn’t be limited to one month.

Our En Español support group meets every month and gives Spanish-speaking LGBTQ+ people, parents, families, friends, and allies a place to talk, listen, and connect. We also have an En Español resource page with Spanish-language information and resources for families.

There’s a lot going on in our community right now. Some of it gives us reason to celebrate. Some of it reminds us how much work there is still to do. Through all of it, I hope we keep showing up for one another.

With gratitude,

Farrah Dodes (she/her)
President, PFLAG Los Angeles

Farrah Dodes and Maddie Reardon Re-Elected

PFLAG LA members gathered for our Annual Membership Meeting on September 5 and re-elected **Farrah Dodes** as President and **Maddie Reardon**, pictured, as Operations Chair. Both have played a big part in keeping PFLAG LA moving forward, and we’re glad to have them continuing in their roles!

General & Gender Expansive Support Meeting

Looking for a place to connect, ask questions, or simply be around people who understand? Our General & Gender Expansive Support Meeting welcomes LGBTQ+ people, parents, families, and allies for conversation, support, and community.

Find the next meeting and Zoom link at pflagla.org/meetings.

Want to Get More Involved in PFLAG LA?

PFLAG LA is volunteer-led, and we currently have openings for people who can contribute a few hours a month, as well as those interested in taking on a leadership role. If you’ve been thinking about lending your skills or trying something new, take a look at our current opportunities on Idealist.

For more news and updates, visit pflagla.org/updates.

**Jethro Nededog** (he/him) is PFLAG LA’s Communications Chair. He spent much of his career as a journalist and editor before moving into communications. These days, he helps shape how the chapter tells its story—from the newsletter and podcast to social media, the website, and advocacy work. He’s also back in school, pursuing a Master of Social Work at Arizona State University.
**What does your role with PFLAG LA look like today?**
I oversee communications for PFLAG LA, which means I end up touching a little bit of everything—our newsletter, website, social media, podcast, press releases, and advocacy.

I also spend a lot of time thinking about how we explain who we are and what we do in a way that feels useful, not just promotional.

Thankfully, I don’t do it alone. We have a great group of volunteers, including our social media manager, Gabriella Rojas. At the end of the day, my job is really about making sure the work happening across PFLAG LA reaches the people who might need it.

What part of PFLAG LA’s work feels most meaningful to you?

The support side of PFLAG LA probably means the most to me. Communications can sometimes feel a few steps removed from the people you’re trying to reach. You’re writing an email, updating a website, or putting together a social post.

Then you remember that someone may find a support meeting because of that email or because a post happened to reach them at the right time. Maybe it’s a parent trying to better understand their child, or an LGBTQ+ person looking for people who understand what they’re going through. Helping make that connection, even indirectly, makes the work feel very real.

What gives you hope these days?

People who keep showing up. There’s a lot happening right now that can make it easy to feel discouraged, especially for LGBTQ+ people and their families. But through PFLAG LA, I get to see people make a different choice. They volunteer. They come to a support meeting. They simply participate.

That may not feel huge in the moment, but I think that’s often what community looks like in practice. And that gives me hope.

To nominate a volunteer for Community Spotlight, email info@pflagla.org.

September 26 | Sue Granzella at Vroman’s Bookstore

Author **Sue Granzella**, our August PFLAG LA Podcast guest, discusses and signs her new book, *Pushed to the Edge: Teachers’ Stories from the Culture Wars*, at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena.
Drawing on the experiences of educators, the book looks at what happens when teachers and librarians find themselves caught in political battles over books, curriculum, and LGBTQ+ inclusion.

It also explores the personal and professional consequences for educators who speak up for their students.

The 3 p.m. event is part of Vroman’s Teacher Appreciation Day, a daylong celebration of local teachers and librarians. Granzella, who lives in the Bay Area, expects this to be her only Southern California appearance for the book.

For more information, visit Vroman’s Bookstore.

September 26 | Queerceañera 2026: Siempre Contigo

The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s annual Queerceañera celebrates queer and trans Latine community, culture, and chosen family. This year’s “Siempre Contigo” celebration takes place at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza.

For more information, visit the Los Angeles LGBT Center.