out after dark
Weekly Pride Profile
OUT AFTER DARK is a weekly feature highlighting social and cultural events around Vancouver. Got an upcoming event? E-mail us at outafterdark@WEVancouver.com.
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Moms of PFLAG Vancouver 2
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Karin Lind, Aideen McKenna and Susan Harman have at least one thing in common: each of them is the mother of a gay son. For over 10 years, Karin, Aideen and Susan have volunteered with PFLAG Vancouver and have learned the challenges of families struggling to accept family members because of beliefs about what is ‘normal.’ That word ‘normal’ resonates with Karin, realized that her little boy was suicidal after reading a poem he wrote in Grade 4. Karin sought help, and her son grew up to accept his sexuality. Now she works hard to create a society in which no child suffers despair.
At about the same age as Karin’s boy, Aideen’s son told his mother that he would “never have a wife or be a daddy” because he knew he was “not like other boys”. He said that he was letting her know so that she wouldn’t be disappointed in him later. Aideen hopes that “the day is coming when there will be no exclusion based on judgmental notions about what is ‘normal’.” PFLAG meets regularly, welcoming anyone with questions and concerns about LGBT issues. “We work toward a healthy atmosphere in which it’s ‘normal’ to be who you are,” says Susan, who is a retired teacher, enjoys conducting workshops centering on LGBT issues in secondary school and adult ESL classes.
For more stories and profiles, pick up the limited edition Vancouver Pride Society’s 35th Anniversary Commemorative Pride Guide, available at local businesses in July. For pick-up locations visit VancouverPride.ca
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Pride Society and WE Vancouver Weekly Jessie Ad (WE Jun 14 & 21)_Jessies 13-06-05 12:33 PM Vancouver P
CELEBRATING 31 YEARS OF THEATRE
4 1 Youth Education Farms board members Mike Mackay, Brandon Mari, Ben Neumer, Dave Mandrell, Riley Mari and Jeff Jacobson at their fundraising gala at Birks on June 14. 2 Sisters Carla Giusti and Cristina Linden and Cristina’s husband Trevor Linden joined Maria and Joe Giusti (Carla and Cristina’s aunt and uncle) at the launch of Giusti Prosecco at Icon Wines in Yaletown June 13. 3 Brian Glaum, president of the BC Wine Appreciation Society and Harry Hertscheg, executive director of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, at the premiere of SOMM at the Rio Theatre June 11. 4 West End BIA board members Lisa Arthurs (Quick Nickel), Michael Makowy (HSBC branch manager) and Kathy Ross (pHRESH Spa) at the BIA logo launch party at Modern Art Gallery June 12. 5 Karl Kowalewski, director of leather product development and design at Roots, holding the shoe that started it all 40 years ago — the Sport Root Negative Heel shoe — at the media preview of the Fall/Winter 2013 collection June 10.
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WEVancouver.com
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