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LGBT consumers are more likely to: read mainstream and specialty print media watch more basic, specialty, and premium television conduct business online purchase products from companies that support the LGBT community

On August 13, 2006, the GLBT Welcoming Congregation Committee presented the third in a series of services designed to share information with the church community regarding well-known LGBT in our society. This service concentrated on business Icons and LGBT buying power. The service, presented by the Marketing coordinator from Lincoln Benefit Life Company, an affiliate of Allstate, shared a wealth of information about LGBT consumers.

Unlike many other minority groups, gays have never been absent from the hierarchy of power. They simply have been hidden. Thus, theirs has been less a movement about getting people into positions of power as it has been about allowing people already in power to come out of the closet, paving the way for those in the next generation to advance while being out themselves. This activity has also led to more and more companies looking to the gay population as a source of income.

U. S. demographic estimates indicate that there is over $610 billion in discretionary income among the LGBT. Lincoln, NE, demographics suggest that Lincoln LGBT hold $228 to $342 million of that. Rob tells us that LGBT consumers are considered "early adopters" of styles and technology; more likely to read mainstream and specialty print media; more likely to watch more basic, specialty, and premium television; more likely to conduct business online; more likely to purchase products from companies that support the LGBT community, and more likely to find out if a company supports the community through word of mouth and/or websites than advertisements. They are extremely "brand loyal"; once they choose a specific brand, they are very likely to stick with that brand for life.

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PFLAG was asked by Kit Boesch of Lincoln Lancaster County Human Services, to be the organization to secure a KENO grant for a research and professional development project.

The purpose of the grant will be to obtain input from GLBT youth in Lincoln about their perceptions and experiences as GLBT youth in schools and with social services agencies. Training workshops will be developed to assist professionals working in educational, criminal justice, rural, and social services areas in behavioral health, education and correctional settings about how to identify GLBT youth as well as provide them with tools to assist the youth, if the youth desires.

Three grants have been applied for that will fund the project: $1500 has been funded from the Keno Prevention Fund with PFLAG's assistance. An additional $1000 grant from Region V and a pending grant of $1000 from the Woods Foundation will fund the project. Pat Tetreault, Sexuality Education Coordinator and Assistant Director for GLBTA Programs & Services at UNL will serve as Project Director.

Kit says, "Today many of our GLBT youth are homeless, use homeless shelters, are in treatment facilities, or perhaps in residential homes or correctional facilities and do not feel safe. They are afraid to identify their sexual orientation or gender identity. If they do come to the staff, too often the staff then doesn’t know what to do with that information."

The total grant sum of $3500 will do several things: 1. conduct focus groups with Gay/Straight Alliances in Lincoln; 2. research best practice curriculums and develop an excellent curriculum for Lincoln/Lancaster County; 3. Provide four presentations which will focus on four audiences -- behavioral health professionals; LPS social workers; Treatment and Correctional professionals; and one regarding rural areas for anyone wishing to attend. We also plan to set up a website to have continual updated information for professionals on GLBT youth and resources.

The money will go to the UNL Health Center and Student Involvement to implement the project. Partners in this project are PFLAG Cornhusker, Cedars Street Outreach workers, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln/Lancaster Human Services, and the UNL Health Center and Student Involvement. The project dates are September 1, 2006- August 30, 2007.

Statistics show that 40% of the homeless youth in this country are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and 40% of the youth in our criminal justice system are GLB or T. GLBT youth are the highest number of completed suicides. Professionals who work with GLBT youth (whether they know it or not) need to be comfortable in addressing both their safety and other needs. Many thanks to Kit for proposing and working on this for our community and youth.

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After the 6:30-7:00pm social half hour, and after small groups sessions including parents, families, and friends; gay and lesbian; transgender; bisexual; youth; and straight spouse, at 8:00pm the program for the evening was a visit with Father Don Hanway, retired priest of the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, who discussed his new book, "A Theology of Gay and Lesbian Inclusion: Love Letters to the Church".

Hanway’s book provides a user friendly Biblical rationale for alternatives to traditional church teachings, encouraging the acceptance of gay and lesbian people as fully moral. Father Hanway shared with us his journey, both personally and professionally, and described to us his deep concerns regarding the prejudice that gay men and lesbians have experienced at the hands of the church and its straight members, and shared the viable premise he believes is needed to appeal for a new understanding and commitment to acceptance.

If you were unable to attend but would like to learn more, Don Hanway will also be presenting a workshop on his book at the GLBT Living Better Conference on Saturday, October 14, at the Lincoln Unitarian Church. I found the book available through several outlets online, or can be ordered through your local book seller.

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On November 3-4, 2006, chapters in the Chicago metropolitan area are hosting the first ever tri-regional conference bringing together hundreds of PFLAG leaders, activists and straight allies from 12 heartland states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The two day conference, entitled "Heartland in Action," will take place at the beautiful Chicago Hilton and will include workshops that build hands-on skills to further PFLAG’s goals of support, education and advocacy. Sessions on safe schools activities in elementary schools, reaching out to straight allies, membership recruitment and retention in rural areas, chapter press strategies, reaching out to faith communities and much more will be presented by PFLAG National staff and Chicago area leaders, along with panel discussions and presentations by experts in the GLBT advocacy community. The conference isn't just about workshops – it will give people from across the Midwest an opportunity to meet, socialize, and network to create lasting connections.

Heartland in Action will feature a plenary by Ian Ayers and Jennifer Gerarda Brown, authors of Straightforward: How to Mobilize Heterosexual Support for Gay Rights. Ayers and Brown provide real world strategies for reaching out to potential straight allies and will help introduce PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality, a new an outreach and education campaign aimed at providing formal and informal ways for straight allies to show support for GLBT people.

In addition to skill-building workshops, a practical plenary, get out the vote activities, and plenty of PFLAG fun, the conference will play host to the 2006 PFLAG Annual Meeting where chapter members will have an opportunity to hear from National President Sam Thoron and incoming president, Chicago native and conference host John Cepek.

Visit the Heartland in Action conference website at www.pflag.org/2006_conference.html to register and learn more about the conference. If you cannot attend consider sponsoring an attendee scholarship! For a donation of $150 you can provide registration for a PFLAGer who would not otherwise be able to attend. To learn more about donating to the conference and about other sponsorship opportunities, contact Christopher Vance at cvance@pflag.org.

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A Day of Speakers, Workshops, Learning, Community, Growth and Fun!

Date: Saturday, October 14, 2006
Time: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Where: Lincoln Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street.
Cost: $20 which include donuts, fruit coffee and Lunch.
Scholarships are available.
Call: (402) 434-9880 (PFLAG Helpline).

The keynote speaker will be Craig Covey, Michigan's first openly gay elected official.

A day to learn about ourselves and live happier, fuller and richer lives. Build fellowship and community among GLBT citizens of Nebraska and surrounding states.

You May Attend Four Workshops of Your Choice:
(First workshops start at 9:15 AM)

Marketing to the GLBT Community

Young, Gay and Proud

Is Willa Cather a GLBT Role Model?

LGBT Parents - Creating Families, Legal Protections and Parenting Resources

A Peso, a Yen, a Buck, or a Euro: Protecting Your Money

GBLT Ageism

Ask A Minister

Reflections in the Mirror

Getting into Politics - You Are Needed!

Buy Your Home: An American Dream

GLBTs Helping There Parents Come Out

Laws You Need To Know

Arts and Crafts Fun

New Answers For Depression: For You and Others

Working Toward Harmonious and Stable Relationships

Domestic Violence: The Darkest Closet in the GLBT Community

Ten Kinds of Intimacy

Building a Trans Friendly GLBT Movement

GLBT History

A Theology of Gay and Lesbian Inclusion: Love Letters to the Church

Latest Gay Lesbian National Research

The Election, Amendment, Marriage Update

Living better conferences are presented by the GBLT Welcoming Committee of Lincoln, NE, Unitarian Church. The lunch is prepared by the Social Action Committee of the church. the Unitarian Universalists have supported full inclusion of GLBT people in all aspect of church life since 1970.

Conference Patrons:
PFLAG Cornhusker
Diamond Foundation
Blick Art Materials
St. Mark's on the Campus Episcopal Church
First Plymouth United Church of Christ
ACLU-Nebraska
Omaha Metropolitan Community Church

Sponsors:
Omaha PFLAG
Lincoln Unitarian Social Action Committee
CFEP
Nebraskan's For Peace
UNL Sexuality Education Exchange

Endorsers:
NebraskaGLBTEvents.com
Rape Spouse Abuse Crisis Center

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