Tulare County is located in the vast Central Valley of California, is the nation’s #1 dairy producer, and ranks consistently #2 or #3 in overall agricultural production in the United States. Visalia, the county seat, was also the home of EricJames Borges, a 19 year old gay man whose suicide garnered attention worldwide in January, 2012.
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Have you ever wondered how you would react if you learned that your child or other family member was gay?
Ever wondered how you should react?
Come learn the facts.
Caitlin Ryan, Ph.D., director of the Family Acceptance Project at San Francisco State University, is nationally and internationally known for her research and work with LGBT youth, their families and schools. She and her colleagues have worked with culturally diverse families and religious groups to help reduce the risk of suicide, drug abuse, HIV/AIDS and homelessness and promote self-esteem, hope and happiness in their LGBT children. The Tulare Kings Counties Suicide Prevention Task Force, the Tulare County Medical Society, Tulare County Office of Education, Kings County Behavioral Health, District 21 PTA, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), PFLAG Tulare-Kings Counties, Christ Lutheran Church Visalia, Congregation B’nai David, Disciples of Christ Visalia, First Congregational UCC Tulare, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Visalia, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Porterville and Visalia United Methodist Church are sponsoring a series of talks by Dr. Ryan in Tulare and Kings Counties this May.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 from 6 to 8 pm at El Diamante High School Theater at 5100 W. Whitendale in Visalia, Dr. Ryan will speak to parents, community leaders and the public on
Critical Role of Families in Reducing Risk & Promoting Well-Being for LGBT Children & Youth
Continuing education credit is available for foster parents. The talk is family friendly, but babysitting will be provided on site by the Visalia YMCA for young children. There will be light refreshments and a translator with headphones provided by the United Way for Spanish speakers. Dr. Ryan will again be speaking to educators, parents, community leaders and the general public on the same topic, again with babysitting provided by the YMCA and credits for foster parents:
Thursday, May 17 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Blue Oak Center at Tachi Palace at 17225 Jersey Avenue in Lemoore
Families of all cultures, religions and political persuasions can be helped by learning the facts from Dr. Ryan this May. The Family Acceptance Project website at http://familyproject.sfsu.edu has more information, including a moving and upbeat fifteen minute video showing how one family was able to make an enormous difference to their son, and themselves, while still staying faithful to their religious beliefs. To learn more about Dr. Ryan’s visit in May, including events for faith leaders, educators, medical and mental health providers and students, contact Kathryn Hall, M.D., at khall@vmchealth.com or Jackie Jones at jackiejones@countyofkings.com.
Also on Dr. Ryan’s agenda:
Celebrate Families on Mother’s Day!
PFLAG Tulare & Kings Counties invites you
to a reception and fundraiser for
Dr. Caitlin Ryan
and the
Family Acceptance Project
Sunday, May 13 from 5 to 7 pm
Spiritual Awareness Center
117 S. Locust St.
Visalia, CA 93291
Light refreshments served
If you wish to help support Dr. Ryan’s research and work with LGBT youth, their families, schools and religious communities, checks may be made out to: University Corporation/SF State, and in the memo write: for Family Acceptance Project.
For more information on the Family Acceptance Project see the website at http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/ or to learn more about Dr. Ryan’s series of lectures in Tulare and Kings Counties on the Critical Role of Families in Reducing Risk & Promoting Well-Being for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Children & Youth contact Kathryn Hall, M.D., at khall@vmchealth.com. Sponsors of these events include the Tulare & Kings Counties Suicide Prevention Task Force, the Tulare County Medical Society, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), PTA District 21, Tulare County Office of Education, Visalia Unified School District, Kings County Behavioral Health, Christ Lutheran Church Visalia, Congregation B’nai David, Disciples of Christ Visalia, First Congregational UCC Tulare, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Visalia, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Porterville, and the Visalia United Methodist Church.
