Founded in 1972 with the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the original ally organization. Made up of parents, families, and friends of LGBT people, PFLAG is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education and advocacy. Now in its 40th anniversary year, PFLAG has over 350 chapters and 200,000 supporters crossing multiple generations of American families in major urban centers, small cities and rural areas in all 50 states.
Since 2010, Jim and Jean Galik have helped lead the charge to create change in Greensburg with the creation of a local PFLAG chapter. What was then known as the Westmoreland LGBTQ Collaborative, developed into a PFLAG chapter when Jim, who at the time was President of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ligonier Valley, and his partner Jean decided to join the Collaborative. After several meetings, the group was split into three divisions: the Westmoreland County LGBTQ InterFaith Network, which is group of people who affirm the spirituality of all LGBTQ people and their friends and allies, WestCo Pride, a group of health and human service providers dedicated to making Westmoreland County a safe and welcoming community, and a local PFLAG Chapter.
HIS GOAL IN WORKING WITH PFLAG IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY FOR LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
Today, Jim is proud to continue his work as president of the Interfaith Network, as well as PFLAG Greensburg. His goal in working with PFLAG is to provide a safe and supportive community for LGBT individuals and their families and friends. PFLAG holds monthly meetings at Trinity United Church of Christ in Greensburg on the second Sunday of each month from 2-4 PM. According to Jim, “We begin each meeting by reading the eight guidelines developed by PFLAG. Top priorities are to ensure confidentiality and safety. We usually spend half of the meeting to allow for personal sharing, and then we often have a guest speaker or film or other special activity for the second half.” In addition to regular monthly meetings, PFLAG Greensburg has worked to promote awareness and support for the LGBT community in a variety of activities including fundraising for the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force and the American Cancer Society, marching in the Pittsburgh Pride March, and hold an annual Pride in the Park picnic at Hempfield Community Park.
Needless to say, Jim and Jean Galik are proud allies of the LGBT community and have devoted their life to supporting youth in need. Extending the support of the community past Pittsburgh has helped to prove that this state is evolving.
Western PA PFLAG Chapters:
PFLAG Butler County
PO Box 1631
Butler, PA 16003
info@pflagbutler.com
PFLAG Erie/Erie & Crawford Counties
PO Box 8914
Erie, PA 16505
pflag.erie.crawford@gmail.com
Phone: (814) 367-3311
PFLAG Greensburg
PO Box 181
Greensburg, PA 15601
pflagbg@gmail.com
Phone: (724) 610-9334
PFLAG Indiana
PO Box 272
Indiana, PA 15701
pflagindiana@comcast.net
Phone: (724) 357-8309
PFLAG New Castle
1010 Delaware Ave
New Castle, PA 16105
newcastlepa.pflag@gmail.com
Phone: (724) 614-0342
PFLAG Pittsburgh
P.O. Box 113244
Pittsburgh, PA 15241
info@pflagpgh.org
Phone: (412) 833-4556