Mike Neubecker named PFLAG regional director

BROWNSTOWN – Local community activist and PFLAG-Downriver co-founder Mike Neubecker was recently named regional director of PFLAG's Great Lakes Region, which includes Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Neubecker began serving his two-year term last month at PFLAG's National Board of Regional Directors meeting in Dallas. As regional director, Neubecker will represent the concerns of local chapters in these three states to the national organization as well as communicate with chapters about national programs and goals and act as a facilitator between chapters to resolve any problems or disputes in the organization.
"What I really like about this role is I get so inspired by meeting such wonderful PFLAG people who are working so hard to push for equality and to change attitudes in their local communities in creative and courageous ways," said Neubecker. "There is so much work to do in this next election year but I know PFLAG chapters are up to the challenge and will find ways to make their voices of equality heard loud and clear."
Neubecker says he's been prepared for this position by serving in the informal role of Michigan state chair for the past five years. Neubecker was inspired to join PFLAG-Detroit after hearing then-national president Mitzi Henderson speak at the 1995 Human Rights Campaign dinner event at the Fox Theatre. Six months after joining PFLAG-Detroit, Neubecker and his wife, Jan, founded PFLAG-Downriver.
Together, the Neubeckers became active in the PFLAG speakers bureau, doing countless presentations across the state. The Neubeckers work won them instant recognition in the community. Among their numerous awards, the couple received the Pride Award for Community Service in 1997, the Spirit of Detroit Award in 1999, the Pride Partnership Award from the Triangle Foundation in 2000 and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Human Rights Campaign in 2001.
"I like to tell people that when our son came out, Jan and I found a new hobby: PFLAG," Neubecker said. "It is our passion and we find there is no better way for us to educate the community on equality for all. This new role for me in PFLAG will include some travel and some late nights spent emailing and composing newsletters and other correspondence, but definitely it's a labor of love."