Newsletter
Madison
Founded in 1973, PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families.
March 15 Meeting Recap:
A visit with Senator Ratcliff
Senator Melissa Ratcliff was the speaker for our March meeting. She serves the people and communities of the 16th Senate District which includes Cottage Grove, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Stoughton, Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Deerfield, Waterloo, Lake Mills, an area on Madison’s far east side, two townships in Dodge County, and communities across eastern Dane County and western Jefferson County. She has served on the Cottage Grove Village Board, the Dane County Board and in the State Assembly and was elected as Senator in 2024. She has a deep desire to work on community building. Senator Ratcliff reported that the Republican controlled Wisconsin Senate passed a package of five bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights. This package includes Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors, Transgender Athlete Ban (K-12 Schools), Transgender Athlete Ban (Higher Education), Parental Consent for Pronouns (School Policy) and Locker Room Restriction/Right to sue. Governor Tony Evers has indicated he will veto any legislation that restricts LGBTQ+ individuals. Senator Ratcliff worked with her colleague Rep Clancy to form The Transgender Parent and Nonbinary Advocacy Caucus (TPANAC). This is a coalition of Wisconsin legislators who are committed to protecting and advancing the rights of Wisconsin’s transgender and nonbinary communities. Both Rep Clancy and Senator Ratcliff have the unique experience as parents of transgender children and wanted to have a caucus to help raise awareness and advocate for the trans community. There are many positive proposals coming forward. A few of the proposals include June Pride Month, Intersex Awareness Day, Trans Day of Visibility, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Conversion Therapy Ban and an amendment on same sex marriage. Senator Ratcliff has deep roots in the community and continues to champion, support and advocate for all people. Senator Ratcliff can be reached at Sen.ratcliff@legis.wisconsin.gov.
A Note about The Transgender Parent and Nonbinary Advocacy Caucus (TPANAC):
Senator Ratcliff welcomes anyone who would like to be included as an interest holder for TPANAC. The meetings are held once or twice a year and include updates and follow up on legislative bills. If interested email Senator Ratcliff at
Sen.ratcliff@legis.wisconsin.gov and ask to be added to the TPANAC email list.
March 31, 2026 Gov. Tony Evers along with PFLAG & GSAFE celebrate Trans Day of Visibility as he vetoed several bills targeting our trans and gender non-conforming loved ones.
Next meeting:
Sunday, April 19, 2026
2-4pm
Please email us at pflagmadison@gmail.com for the meeting location or
Join us on Zoom.
Erika Gallagher will join us to discuss the joys of working with LGBTQ youth. She is a Verona Area School District high school English teacher and helps advise the school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, the Asian Student Association, and serves as facilitator of the district’s gender inclusion committee. The GIC includes students, district staff, and even school board members, all working together to ensure LGBTQ+ and marginalized students feel supported.
Learn more about Ms. Gallagher here
Volunteers Needed for Farmer’s Market 2026
We’re up and running for another fun season at the Dane County Farmer’s Market. We will be at our usual spot on the corner of W. Main and S. Carroll Streets every Saturday beginning May 2 through September 26, 2026. Two volunteers are need each week from 8:45 – 11:15AM. We can help you work with a seasoned volunteer if you have not previously participated. More details will be provided as you need them.
Please go to our Sign-up Genius link to check out available dates that work for you. If your schedule changes along the way, no problem! It’s quick and easy to edit online or contact Deb Laurence, deb.laurence@outlook.com, for assistance.
Let’s also give a big shoutout to Canteen Taco, 111 S. Hamilton Street, who once again are providing storage space for us to use all season, thank you!
Click here to sign up for the Farmer’s Market this summer
We All Have a Role
Madison community—this one’s for you!
Join GSAFE for an evening of connection, celebration, and impact at the 30th Annual Celebration of Leadership.
“We All Have a Role,” highlights the collective impact it takes to build safer, more affirming communities for LGBTQ+ youth across Wisconsin.
The evening will include a joyful community celebration, recognition of inspiring advocates, and scholarships awarded to four outstanding high school seniors.
Let’s come together to support LGBTQ+ youth across Wisconsin.
Welcome to the party! We’ll be helping host a resource fair and fitness fundraiser on Saturday, May 9th at Badger Ridge Middle School in Verona. You are all invited, and we hope you can make it and help spread the word.
We’re hoping to have between 40-60 volunteers total to help everyone feel welcome, safe and have fun. The resource event is free and open to local middle and high school students and their families. The fitness fundraiser in the afternoon is free to students and seniors, $10 in advance and $20 at the door. Those funds will be split evenly at the end of the day between the Madison chapter of PFLAG and the Verona High School GSA.
Link for donationsVolunteers neededRegister for the Zumbathon here
Membership and Other Donations
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. Donations are welcome at any time!
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
Contact us: pflagmadison@gmail.com
Voice-Mail: 608-848-2333
Email: pflagmadison@gmail.com
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
President: Jeanne Williams
Treasurer: Paul Wertsch
Secretary: Jackie Wealti
Board Members: Sandy Feria, Bill Gillespie, Deb Laurence, Amelia McConnell, Michael Rosenman, Sue Martinson