I am not a newspaper reader. So, I am very appreciative when someone brings something intreresting to me that they discovered in the news. Recently, a member of our chapter pointed out to me an "Annie's Mailbox" column in the Carroll County Times' from Friday, April 18, 2003. The column is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, long time editors of the Ann Landers column. In a letter from Foster Dad, we learn that a friend of the writer's fourteen year old son, Adam, came to him and asked if Adam was gay. When the dad asked what had prompted the question, the boy explained that Adam had asked him if he would be interested in "trying something" with another guy. The dad discussed the incident with Adam, who told him that he thinks that he might be gay, and had been concerned about his sexual orientation for some time.

So the dad's question for "Annie" was: "please tell me what to tell him or what to do." The writer's response was to tell Foster Dad that he can be "a wonderful source of help and support" for his son, and then went on to suggest that he "please contact PFLAG for information." Finally, the address and website for PFLAG National were offered. A reminder: this was in the Carroll County Times! A copy will be made available at our upcoming meeting. I, for one, found it particularly heartening.

Now, I do watch a little television. A few weeks ago I was watching "The Sunday Night Sex Talk Show" on the Oxygen cable channel. (Locally, ch. 76. Reruns: 11pm Sundays, possibly nightly. Live: 12am, Sunday). The host of the show, Sue Johanson, reviews books on relationships and sex, critiques sex toys, speaks on Sex In History and takes questions from callers. This particular show featured an eighteen year old male caller from Baltimore, MD, who revealed that he had come to the realization that he was gay and hadn't come out to anyone yet. He confided that he wanted to come out to his mother first, but feared that she would reject him, even though, he said, she might already suspect. When asked how the teen should proceed, Ms. Johanson suggested that he not do it alone, and that for help he could contact his local PFLAG chapter, where he would find a great amount of support and sound advice.

Here we have plugs for PFLAG in our very own local newspaper and cable TV service! Be ready. Let us be worthy of "Annie" and Sue's trust.