Silver City, NM, June 26, 2023-----PFLAG Silver City will once again be marching in the Independence Day parade in Silver City on July 4th. Parents, families, friends and neighbors of LGBTQ+ people are invited and encouraged to march along with PFLAG to show their support. The parade begins at 10:00 AM, and most organizations will be lining up on 12th St.  

PFLAG is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.  PFLAG Silver City president, Damie Nelson, explained, "So much fear, hate, misinformation and myth are being directed at LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender people, that it's vital that friends, family and allies step forward and publicly proclaim their solidarity and support. Silver City and Grant County have a relatively small population, so we know each other.  Imagine the power you have as an individual if you are seen by friends, family and colleagues marching with PFLAG, wearing rainbow colors and carrying an American flag.  Consider how that closeted teen might feel seeing his/her/their teacher, neighbor or pastor marching with PFLAG.  Think about how that parent of a transgender child might feel to see you, their work colleague, marching in support of trans kids. Imagine how welcomed that young gender-expansive neighbor of yours would feel seeing you marching for their rights and well-being.  

Can't walk the whole parade route?  Watch for the rainbows, and then join us for a joyful few blocks.  Get and give some hugs, smile and wave at the crowds along the route, and then rejoin your family in the audience.  But be seen!  Lives depend on that!”

PFLAG will also have a booth in Gough Park that day to provide free informational booklets, encourage conversation and listen to personal stories.  For more information, call PFLAG Silver City at 575-590-8797, email pflagsilvercity@gmail.com, or go to pflagsilver.org or pflag.org.