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Between Ourselves: Terri Dinsmore

by Jessica Carreras

Terri Dinsmore is a 40-year-old activist from Montrose. She now serves as the president of the Genesee County chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, which serves the Flint-area LGBT and allied community.

1) How did you get involved with PFLAG?
While attending an LGBT-themed movie at the Good Beans Cafe, I met someone who was involved with Genesee County PFLAG, and she invited me to attend a holiday potluck they were having. The people at the meeting were very warm and accepting and made me feel comfortable. Attending PFLAG meetings was a good way for me to get more connected with the LGBT community, which was difficult to find in the Flint area.
After attending meetings for a few months, I was asked to become the treasurer, and I accepted that board position. I have remained involved with Genesee County PFLAG since first attending. I was the vice president for several years and am now the president. I greatly enjoy my involvement with Genesee County PFLAG, and look forward to helping to maintain and strengthen its presence in Genesee County.

2) Why do you feel it's important to have support and advocacy groups for allies?
I feel it is essential for organizations in the LGBT community to remember that our allies are an integral part of our "family." It is important that organizations such as PFLAG offer support, advocacy and education to our allies.
Through support groups, allies can gain strength and techniques on how to be excellent allies for the LGBT community. These groups allow a time and place for allies to share with the group what they have been doing to support equality, and allow them a venue to work through any tribulations they encounter as an ally.
Advocacy opportunities allow for our allies to share their thoughts on various equality issues facing the LGBT community. Education is also an important component of what needs to be offered to LGBT allies. It is essential that our allies are informed on the issues facing the LGBT community so that they can be articulate supporters in our fight for equality. Through embracing our allies and offering them the support and education needed, we will build a strong coalition to advocate for equality.

3) PFLAG is usually seen as a group for parents – what do you say to this presumption?

The assumption that PFLAG is a group for only parents is one that has to be addressed through the chapter's publicity. The Genesee County PFLAG board has discussed this very issue. As a board, we are aware that there are people within the LGBT community that do not even know what PFLAG is, and that we are there for them. Keeping this in mind, our chapter is making a point of advertising to local college and high school GSA groups, university LGBT centers and at area businesses frequented by LGBT people. As a result, Genesee County PFLAG actually has more LGBT people that attend.
Genesee County PFLAG meets on the second Sunday of each month from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Flint, although PFLAG has no religious affiliation. Our meetings are open to everyone and consist of time for support, fellowship and a topic discussion. We are fortunate to have a transgender coordinator who facilitates a support group specifically for transgender persons or those exploring or interested in gender.

4) What do you feel is Genesee County's biggest LGBT rights issue?
Genesee County PFLAG is working on more than one issue, with our greatest concentration of efforts devoted to promoting safe schools.
Last year, our PFLAG chapter hosted the PFLAG State Conference for Michigan, which was a day-long training on Safe Schools: Cultivating Respect. A few months after the conference, our chapter spearheaded the formation of Genesee County Safe Schools Coalition. This group is made up of individuals from various organizations, parents, concerned citizens and business people working together to promote school safety.
Genesee County Safe Schools Coalition's mission is to create a caring school community through educating the greater school community on the importance of honoring diversity and empowering students and school personnel to make a difference.
Genesee County Safe Schools Coalition meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7-8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Flint. The group is in need of more participants. If you are interested in helping, e-mail [email protected] to express your desire to help achieve safe schools for all.

5) In what ways are you affecting change in your own community?
As a representative for Genesee County PFLAG, I am working with the Safe Schools Coalition to advocate for safe schools for all. In this capacity, I have been a part of safe schools training for a local school district (Hopefully more in coming months), presenter to high school GSA groups and served as a spokesperson. I am also working with the Flint/Genesee Hate Crime Response Task Force and other groups.
I do whatever I am capable of to represent Genesee County PFLAG and promote awareness of our organization as a place for everyone to come who is interested in achieving equality for all.
I am only one person on a very dedicated board. It is with the devotion of all of our chapter's board members that Genesee County PFLAG remains a strong and visible presence in our county.

Genesee County PFLAG is holding a mixer from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. June 19 at Churchill's Food and Spirits in Flint with music, dancing and networking. Suggested donation is $5. To learn more about this and other happenings, visit http://www.pflagflint.org.

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