Newsletter - PFLAG Madison

PFLAG Madison WI

Upcoming Event – Always There Fair – May 9, 2026

January 2026

December 21, 2025 Meeting Recap:

PFLAG Meeting Summary

Lynn Currie, Outreach Elder Advocate

Lynn Currie was our speaker for our 12/21/25 PFLAG meeting. Lynn is an OutReach Elder Advocate. She is a part time staff member of OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center. She was engaging and articulate as she highlighted the duties of her position. Lynn specifically connects with LGBT elders and assists them in finding services, and works with elder serving agencies in Dane County to ensure that they are welcoming and culturally competent to provide services to LGBT elders. Outreach LGBTQ+ Community Center itself has been in the community for over 50 years and currently has about 17 staff members. It is a trusted gathering place in Madison and south central Wisconsin dedicated to advancing equity, connection and well-being for LGBTQ+ people. They try in a variety of ways to reach elders and provide services for social and learning activities as well as trainings for caregivers. They offer support programs, services and inclusive spaces where people build community and feel celebrated. For further information about OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center go to info@lgbtoutreach.org

Lynn spoke briefly about a few of the elder specific initiatives.

The LGBTQ 50 Plus Alliance (formerly known as the LGBT Senior Alliance) is committed to connecting LGBTQ+ adults with programs and services in our community. It includes social gatherings/groups, Peer Support, Education, Intergenerational dinners, outings and community meet-ups. The LGBTQ 50 Plus Alliance is sponsored by OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center and the Madison Senior Center. The Alliance offers different events and get togethers over the year.
BOLD grant (a 5 year grant from the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services) which pays for supportive services for caregivers of LGBTQ+ individuals with dementia and other memory related issues and it funds to support educational events for the same community.
Outreach has compiled a Resource List of valuable website links that provide lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender older adults and their families with the knowledge needed to help navigate the maze of LBGT information available today.

Lynn can be reached at LynnC@LGBToutreach.org or (608)255-8582 Ext. 617.

Next meeting:

Sunday, January 18 2-4pm

Jack Feria, the Director of Membership Experience for the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, will talk about the Chamber’s mission, activities and membership and how we can support LGBTQ+ owned and allied businesses.

The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce works to create a fully inclusive state by promoting economic growth and opportunities among LGBT owned and allied businesses, corporations, and professionals in Wisconsin. Representing its members, the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce serves as the business advocate and the link between business and government in an effort to promote equality and fairness for all.

Learn more about the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Boardslide Mission is a local queer-led organization working to make snowsports more accessible. We’ve hosted a camp for Milwaukee teens for the past 3 seasons, and are moving this camp to the Madison area! This year, we’re hosting a learn to ski/snowboard event on Sunday, 2/22 for youth ages 12-18. The event is focused on creating access for under-represented demographics in snow sports (LGBTQ+, black, indigenous, people of color, and girls). The event is ‘pay what you can’, and we offer transportation from east Madison, lessons, equipment, snow gear (snow pants, etc.), and a meal. Check out the event page for more info/registration. Chez Dickson, she/they, is the Executive Director of Boardslide Mission.

A quick note from our President, Jeanne:

These books were referred to us by Bob Park, a member of the Humanist Union of Madison (I attended their panel discussion last Sunday on trans & binary acceptance, which was quite enlightening, especially listening to family members).

Recommended Reading:

“Authentic Selves” interviews by Peggy Gillespie

“Tomorrow will be Different” Sarah McBride

“Raising Kids Beyond the Binary” Jamie Bruesehoff

Membership Renewal

Our annual dues are $30 per person or $40 per couple and are due in October. We share some dues with the National level of PFLAG and our local dues help support our Farmer’s Market, educational and outreach opportunities.

Submit payment online through our website donation button or send your check directly to PFLAG Madison, courtesy of our Treasurer, Paul Wertsch, 4221 Venetian Ln, Madison, WI 53718.

When you hit the Donation button at the top of our website, enter “other” and your total, and that will go to our PayPal account. You can write a memo, like “McConnell family dues” and that will help us know this is for renewing your membership.

When submitting payments using PayPal or credit cards, please provide the following information via email to Paul Wertsch, Treasurer, pwertsch@gmail.com:

 Your complete name, mailing address for a tax receipt, and email address to receive the monthly newsletter.

 The amount of money you submitted either as membership ($30 individual/$40 family) or as a donation.

Email pwertsch@gmail.com if you have not received a confirmation of past transactions.

Learn more about PFLAG

Madison PFLAG

Contact us: pflagmadison@gmail.com

Voice-Mail: 608-848-2333

Website: https://pflag-madison.org/

Meeting Place: Contact us for details on the location and parking

Meetings: 2:00 to 4:00 PM, 3rd Sunday of the month, Sept. to May

National PFLAG

Website: http://www.pflag.org

PFLAG Madison Board of Directors

President: Jeanne Williams

Treasurer: Paul Wertsch

Secretary: Jackie Wealti

Board Members: Sandy Feria, Bill Gillespie, Deb Laurence, Amelia McConnell, Michael Rosenman, Sue Martinson