June 17, 2022- For members of the LGBTQIA+ community, June is a month of celebration. Pride Month, celebrated throughout the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, hosts many events, parades, and observances throughout the nation.
In the Central Illinois area, celebrations occur both in June and in October to celebrate National Coming Out Day.
Mark Schleeter of the local Decatur PFLAG Chapter gave some insight on resources the LGBTQIA+ community can lean on for support, education, and opportunities for involvement.
PFLAG, or “Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays”, started out as a support group for parents and families of LGBTQIA+ children in 1973. It has since grown to a national organization with hundreds of chapters throughout the U.S.
Here in Decatur, PFLAG offers resources and assistance to the LGBTQIA+ community as well as providing supportive listening to their stories while maintaining complete anonymity. Mark recalled conversations with various callers over the past year (withholding identifying information for privacy).
In March, the PFLAG hotline was utilized by a woman who shared her struggle adjusting to her trans daughter’s transition. After hearing her story, it was recommended that she connect with another woman who shared a similar experience. Through that relationship, they were both able to find comfort and overcome the concerns of having trans children.
You can reach the PFLAG hotline at 217-875-5119. Mark also shared that Decatur Public Schools has policies in place to protect and educate LGBTQIA+ students. Both high schools offer these services with middle schools and some elementary schools to follow.
Heritage Behavioral Health provides support to LGBTQIA+ community members through their help line. They also offer virtual therapeutic exercises as part of their Virtual Place of Hope which is designed to assist in identifying different strategies for managing emotions.
Some exercises offered include guided breathing and meditation techniques, exploring creative methods such as coloring and dance, visual and auditory relaxation of kaleidoscope videos and meditation music, as well as live cameras to explore nature, zoos, and museums.
Planned Parenthood provides hormones, additional resources, and counseling for trans adults; HIV testing, treatment, and preventative medications; male and female healthcare, as well as sex education, STD treatment, and vaccines.
PFLAG HOTLINE: 217-875-5119
HERITAGE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH:
Crisis workers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You may reach them by calling (217) 362-6262 (dial 1 for a crisis worker).
Text an anonymous crisis counselor: 741741
Trevor Project Hotline (LGBTQ+): 1-866-488-7386
Trevor Project Text Line: 678678
Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-8255
