DEERFIELD, IL — After a proclamation that declares June LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Deerfield was passed at Monday night’s Village Board meeting, Mayor Daniel C. Shapiro discussed the importance of the measure.
“I’m proud that we just unanimously passed this proclamation, not only this month, but now because it seems to me that there is a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment,” Shapiro said. “I don’t know what’s out there or why, but I’m glad we were able to make this proclamation tonight.”
In March, the national organization, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, better known as PFLAG, celebrated its 50th year. A Deerfield chapter of PFLAG meets on the second Thursday of every month at Congregation BJBE, 1201 Lake Cook Road, and is involved in a number of civic and community activities throughout the year.
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Sue Ginsburg, who has been president of PFLAG Deerfield for the past decade, told the Village Board her story of how she got involved with the organization. Ginsburg said she sought out PFLAG when her daughter, who was 30 at the time, came out to the family.
“I soon realized that Deerfield was my second family,” said Ginsburg, who represented PFLAG Deerfield along with Vice President Ann McAuliffe, at the meeting.
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Like Shapiro, Ginsburg stressed how organizations like PFLAG are needed “now more than ever” due to the “particular focus on anti-transgender legislation.”
Ginsburg said the Deerfield chapter was originally based in Glenview, but moved at the same time its host, Congregation BJBE, did.
McAuliffe, who had lived in Deerfield for nearly 30 years, told the Village Board she has two children in the LGBTQ+ community. She said she discovered PFLAG eight years ago.
“My two kids have been so fortunate to attend school in Deerfield. It’s really prepared them to be responsible citizens and to be social justice advocates,” said McAuliffe, who said one is completing their junior year at the University of California, San Diego, while the other just graduated from Deerfield High School. “My kids are just like yours. They’re students. They’re athletes. They’re musicians, siblings, friends and yes, they are gay. It’s just one of their many wonderful qualities.”
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McAuliffe said the organization recently unveiled a new branding campaign focused on, “Leading with Love.” She added that PFLAG includes a network of hundreds of chapters and more than 325,000 members and supporters. McAuliffe said PFLAG will be represented at the Chicago Pride Parade on June 25. The Deerfield chapter will also be hosting a table at the Deerfield Farmers Market on June 17.
“Celebrating Pride Month is not only important in June, but it’s important all year round,” Ginsburg said.
To learn more about the PFLAG Deerfield chapter, visit the organization’s website here.
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