P-FLAG North Jersey

MEETINGS ARE HELD THE 2ND SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH

at

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN AND TRINITY CHURCH

111 IRVINGTON AVENUE

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ

Newcomers - 1:30 PM

Regular Meeting - 2:30-4:30 PM

DIRECTIONS:

VIA GARDEN STATE PARKWAY

TAKE EXIT 144 TO SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE HEADING WEST. PROCEED TWO MILES TO FIRST TRAFFIC LIGHT AFTER SETON HALL UNIVERSITY, WHICH IS ON PROSPECT STREET. GO ONE BLOCK PAST PROSPECT STREET. TURN LEFT AND LEFT AGAIN AT NEXT CORNER (IRVINGTON AVENUE). PARK IN LOT JUST BEYOND THE CHURCH AND USE IRVINGTON AVENUE DOOR.

COMING FROM THE WEST (LIVINGSTON, FLORHAM PARK, MADISON, MORRISTOWN, ETC.)

GET TO COLUMBIA PIKE (ROUTE 510) AND HEAD EAST TOWARD SOUTH ORANGE. STREET NAME CHANGES TO SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE. GO TO CENTER OF TOWN TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT VALLEY ROAD. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LIGHT, BEAR RIGHT ONTO IRVINGTON AVENUE. CHURCH IS DIRECTLY AT YOUR LEFT AND ENTER PARKING LOT JUST BEYOND THE CHURCH. USE IRVINGTON AVENUE DOOR.

USING ROUTE 280

FROM THE EAST (JERSEY CITY, HOBOKEN, WEEHAWKEN, NEWARK, KEARNY)

TAKE 280 WEST TO EXIT 10 (W. ORANGE, SO. ORANGE). AT END OF RAMP, TURN RIGHT ON NORTHFIELD AVENUE. PROCEED STRAIGHT (NAME CHANGES TO MAIN STREET) FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-5 BLOCKS TO HIGH STREET. TURN RIGHT. HIGH STREET CHANGES NAME TO SCOTLAND RD WITHIN A FEW BLOCKS. STAY ON SCOTLAND RD. FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES UNTIL YOU REACH A LARGE INTERSECTION AT SO. ORANGE AVENUE. TURN LEFT, BEAR RIGHT AND WITHIN 50-75 FEET YOU WILL BE ON IRVINGTON AVENUE. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN AND TRINITY CHURCH WILL BE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY ON YOUR LEFT. OFF STREET PARKING IS AVAILABLE JUST BEYOND THE CHURCH.

FROM THE WEST (LIVINGSTON, E. HANOVER, PARSIPPANY, WHIPPANY, THE CALDWELLS, ROSELAND, ETC.)

TAKE 280 EAST TO EXIT 9 (MT. PLEASANT AVENUE, W. ORANGE). AT END OF EXIT RAMP, TURN LEFT. GO TO SECOND TRAFFIC LIGHT AFTER THE EXIT. TURN RIGHT ON MAIN ST. GO TO NEXT TRAFFIC LIGHT. TURN LEFT. (MAIN STREET CONTINUES) PROCEED 3-5 BLOCKS TO HIGH STREET.

FOLLOW BALANCE OF DIRECTIONS FROM HIGH STREET AS ABOVE.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A MEETING OF PARENTS & FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS?

Except for the meetings when there is a speaker, the people (members and not) who come to the meetings of Parents FLAG become the program.

The leader of the meeting reads the Statement of Purpose of the organization, then asks if anyone has a matter of concern to ask about or comment on.

Often there are parents in the room whose children have recently told them they are homosexual. Some parents are reeling from the blow; some seem calm and accepting; some are angry or hurting; all have questions.

So the members offer answers from their own--longer--experience of being the parent of a homosexual child. The gay men and lesbian members (approximately one-fourth of those at any meeting are gays and lesbians) speak from their point of view--what it was like when they "came out," and how much more real it often made their relationships with their parents.

No one who attends is made to feel he or she must speak--we all know the value of quiet listening. And no one who speaks is expected to reveal more than he or she cares to. But, in the warm, supportive atmosphere, many find they can put troubling thoughts and fears into words for the first time, and receive reassurance, guidance, and just plain facts.

But this is no grim, frowning assemblage. Nor is it group therapy, nor a class or workshop. Smiles are everywhere, conversation bubbles, information is shared, concern, for one another is obvious.

For some newcomers, the ease with which, during introductions, a person will say, "I have a lesbian daughter" or "I am a gay son" is a revelation and an immediate relaxant.

Some questions raised in recent meetings were:

* Could homosexuality be just a phase my son/daughter is going through?

* Does "coming out" consist simply of an announcement and a response?

* What can help parents accept a child's homosexuality?

* How come he decided to be gay after a ten-year marriage?

* Should I tell relatives and friends about my child's sexual orientation?

* I'm a 37 year old lesbian. My father is quite ill. How can I come out to my parents? How can I not?

  • P-FLAG North Jersey

  • P. 0. Box 244
  • Belleville, NJ 07109
  • (201) 267-8414

    Click here for the Gay New Jersey HomePage

    Click here for the QRD HomePage

    Click here for the Morris County HomePage

    Remember, hate is NOT a Family Value!