News and happenings Attend our monthly meetings
When: Third Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg
Find directions to the church here. Free parking is available in the rear of the building.
Meetings generally consist of sharing, conversation, and a presentation on a topic of interest. We also have members who are willing to speak with you in private if you have a concern of a more personal nature. You are welcome to remain anonymous and just listen if you wish. All conversation and identities are kept in confidence. PFLAG is not associated with any religious organization.
Read our monthly newsletter here.
Looking ahead: Monday, March 15, Meeting
Louie Marven, the director of education of youth services at Common Roads, the youth support group in
Due to today's hard economic times and skyrocketing college costs, PFLAG is continuing its National Scholarship Program. The PFLAG National office gives out thousands of dollars in scholarship money each year to lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender students as well as allies. PFLAG is proud to support these articulate, accomplished scholars with great promise for future contribution to our society in general and to the cause of rights and recognition for LGBT people in particular.
Scanning the Web site of the Human Rights Campaign, we have found an additional listing of scholarships. Using the HRC's database, you will find an incredible number of resources by searching in multiple categories, including by a specific college or university.
Please check out both these excellent opportunities below. Good Luck!
PFLAG National Scholarships
PFLAG National scholarships available for 2010 are for $5,000; $2,500; and $1,000.
Review the following eligibility requirements:
In order to be considered for a scholarship, you will need to submit:
For complete information, to find a mailing address, or to learn how to submit an online application, click here.
Human Rights Campaign Scholarships
The Human Rights Campaign, a national organization working for lgbt equal rights, has compiled an exhaustive listing of scholarships, fellowships and grants for LGBT and allied students at both the undergraduate and graduate-level.
You will find a large database here. Click away and discover what scholarship help is out there for lgbt and allies students!
With more youth coming out in early high school and even middle school, PFLAG chapters are seeing younger and younger parents who are dealing with issues many of us have not encountered before. One of those issues is cyber bullying. Chapters should be prepared with information and resources if a parent or youth encounters this new form of bullying.
Cyber bullying has been defined by the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use to mean, "being cruel to others by sending or posting harmful material using the Internet or a cell phone."
New technologies have revolutionized communication and information, particularly for young people, and although the cyber world has been a great friend to the LGBT community by helping students gain access to information and support, it has also created new opportunities for bullying and harassment.
Cyber bullying may seem like the same old behavior using different means, but because this form of bullying can be done anonymously, it can take on very different qualities. Perpetrators, victims and bystanders have somewhat different roles in the process. The ability to resend emails and text messages create confusion about what has happened.
Terminology you should know:
It is important to talk to youth about the dangers of internet and phone usage early and often. Talk in terms of your values and beliefs - and don't forget to talk about the notion of privacy. While we focus on healthy and appropriate behavior, it is also important to teach kids how to protect themselves from harm and negative outcomes.
What parents should know:
What students should know:
Although much of the education can and should be done at home (or in your chapter!) there is also a role for schools to play. Find out what your school policy is and what they do to educate students on appropriate behavior.
According to Pew Research, about one-third (32 percent) of all teenagers who use the internet say they have been targets of some form of cyber bullying that ranged from receiving threatening messages, having their private emails or text messages forwarded, to having an embarrassing picture posted or rumors about them spread online.
The cyber world is not going to go away so let's make sure it brings more benefit than harm into our kids' lives.
What schools should do:
Here are some resources to get more information on cyber bullying:
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