NEWS: Pride comes before all

The usual monthly meeting of Oak Park PFLAG will not be held in June; instead, the group will be walking in the Chicago PRIDE parade held on Sunday, June 26.

NEWS: Busy summer for PFLAG

Oak Park PFLAG will be participating in a number of events over the summer, including:

June 5
A Day in Our Village, an event focusing on Oak Park's civic, cultural and social life, will be held in Scoville Park from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Oak Park PFLAG will share an activity booth with the Oak Park Area Lesbian & Gay Association. The booth will be one of 140 representing a range of Oak Park organizations at the 32nd year of this community celebration. If you want to help out at the booth, e-mail us at oakpark . pflag @ gmail . com.

June 18
Father's Day Barbeque at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, Chicago from 2:00 to 6:00 PM will benefit the Northern Illinois PFLAG Council. Oak Park PFLAG will join other local PFLAG groups to help cook and serve food provided by Sidetrack at this fundraiser.

June 26
The Chicago PRIDE Parade starts at noon around Halsted & Belmont. Look for PFLAG banners and come and join other PFLAGers. Pilsner Beer is providing a tram for those unable to walk, but reservations are needed ASAP because of limited seating space. Call (773) 472-3079 or (630) 415-0622 for reservations.

July 10
Oak Park PFLAG will be having a potluck at 5 PM at the home of members Velna and George. Bring your favorite dish and join us for fun and fellowship. If you need directions, send us an e-mail at oakpark . pflag @ gmail . com.

NEWS: Mothers' Day at Borders

Oak Park PFLAG members spent Friday and Saturday before Mothers' Day 2005 wrapping presents at Borders on Lake Street in downtown Oak Park. The opportunity netted Oak Park PFLAG a total of $175. Just as important, it gave PFLAG a chance to show its face to the community and provide important information.

NEWS: "No Family Left Behind" Gala a hit

The Northern Illinois PFLAG umbrella organization's gala fundraiser, "No Family Left Behind" held at Kendall College on April 30 was a hit. Oak Park PFLAG joined in the efforts. The fundraiser honored Illinois lawmakers who were instrumental in passing the recent anti-discrimination legislation which makes Illinois the 15th state in the country to boast such a law.

Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois, the group that spearheaded lobbying for the bill, told those attending the gala that key in getting the bill passed was support from PFLAG - members, including those from Oak Park PFLAG, met with lawmakers in Springfield to express their support for the bill.