‘We make Mount Horeb a better place to live’

The local PFLAG chapter is celebrating a decade this year, and Sue Huntenburg, the group’s president, recently took the time to talk about the past, present and future of the organization, which works to create a world that supports and affirms a range of people in the community.

PFLAG is about to celebrate 10 years in Mount Horeb. For starters, can you please explain, for anyone who doesn’t already know, what PFLAG is and what the organization does? 

Huntenburg: PFLAG is a non-profit organization that provides education, support and advocacy to the LGBTQIA+ community, their family, friends and allies.  We strive to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQIA+ people and those who love them. We seek a just world in which all marginalized people receive understanding and equal acceptance and protection.

What prompted people to first form the Mount Horeb chapter, and how have the group’s vision and goals evolved over the years? What kinds of outreach does PFLAG do? 

Huntenburg: In 2015, several local and national incidences prompted a local group of concerned citizens and ministers to take action. Their intent was to provide a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community, along with their families and friends.

This was a watershed moment. It displayed the level of community caring that existed in Mount Horeb and was the impetus for the formation of PFLAG Mt. Horeb.

Initially, the group met monthly for an hour to talk and provide support, occasionally including an educational session.  The Chapter’s vision and goals have expanded since that time.  One of our priorities is to show our presence in the Mt. Horeb community, through collaboration with the schools, service organizations, individuals, and churches, working toward common visions of safety and inclusion for all people. We continually expand our community education efforts.

For example, our monthly meetings now consistently include an educational portion, followed by an hour of confidential sharing and support. Since we are the only state PFLAG Chapter west of Madison, folks from surrounding areas join us, as they find the need for a space to share and learn. The pandemic allowed us to reach further, as we learned to provide our services via Zoom, which we continue to this day. This increases our ability to reach well beyond our Mt. Horeb borders.  With Zoom, we can invite speakers and experts from throughout the United States.

We appreciate the local churches who work alongside PFLAG to provide community-wide educational programing. Their efforts include panel discussions, movie screenings, trainings, speakers, along with food and financial support.

PFLAG has been part of teacher trainings and presentations to students. The administration and teachers in the school district have been incredible allies, ensuring our youth are safe and valued in the school community.

PFLAG wants our queer community to know that they are supported and can find safe space at our meetings.  If folks, including their families and allies need support, they call.  We help.

You host a lot of guest speakers. Tell us a bit about them. Have you had any favorite guests over the years? 

Huntenburg: First, it’s important to say how much we appreciate that the Mt. Horeb Public Library welcomes all groups to use their meeting room as a space to gather.  Also, we thank the Mt. Horeb Community Foundation for helping fund our many speakers and community-wide activities.

Sixteen authors from throughout the country have been featured at our monthly meetings.  We consistently have people request copies of books and resources suggested by the authors and speakers. Some of our members favorite authors include:

Hillary Whittington, author of “Raising Ryland,” the story of two parents’ journey raising their transgender child; Annette Grunseth, author of “Becoming Transparent” a book of poetry chronicling a mother’s reflections on her trans daughter’s transition; David Ambroz, author of “A Place Called Home” who told his story of growing up homeless and being gay in the foster care system; Eric and Stephani Lohman, authors of “Raising Rosie: Our Story of Parenting an Intersex Child”; Sarah and Ian Hoffman, children’s book authors of “Jacob’s New Dress” and other Jacob books, and; Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr., author of “Gay Poems for Red States,” a gay educator, and “Kentucky Educator of the Year” who lost his job because his administration would not guarantee his and his students’ safety.

We have also had so many inspiring speakers, some of them being: Sam Sharpe, an intersex swimmer and scientist; Ellie Krug who conducted a “Gray Area Thinking” community- wide workshop, co-sponsored with Mount Horeb United Methodist Church, and Jess Dallman, a local therapist who provided a calm voice in the chaos.

Finally, we’ve had a number of inspiring stories from local families.

What prompted you, personally, to get involved with PFLAG? Has being part of the group changed any of your perceptions? 

Huntenburg: I was at a Mt. Horeb School Board meeting where many citizens stood up to support  transgender students’ rights.  After several folks spoke against kids using the bathroom that aligned with their gender identification, I knew I needed to speak up. So, I spoke at that meeting.  I don’t enjoy public speaking and this really pushed my comfort level.

Then, the Pulse shooting in Florida occurred, where 49 people were murdered and 53 injured. I attended a vigil organized by several church leaders, and knew I had to become more involved. PFLAG was the  local organization that provided support to the queer community, so I joined.

Joining PFLAG changed my perceptions in many ways. I knew what it meant to be a lesbian in this world, but I have gained incredible insight into the journeys and challenges of all our queer folks and the people who love them. I have especially learned more about our trans/non-binary friends and their families and am so much more aware of the challenges facing them every day. The battle emphasized today, truly is to support, protect, and defend our trans and non-binary families. They simply want to live an ordinary life, just like the rest of us. However, they are continually dragged into the unwarranted hate and vitriol in this country.  All they really ask is to be left to live their lives in peace. I don’t think that’s asking too much.

I realize the importance of standing up and supporting others who are being treated unfairly in this world.  My natural inclination isn’t to be in the front of the room, but I’ve pushed through this discomfort to be the president of PFLAG for a number of years now. I know I need to speak up, even when I feel uncomfortable doing so.

Looking ahead, what plans does PFLAG have in Mount Horeb? 

Huntenburg: Our plans for the future are to continue to support our LGBTQIA+ folks and those who love them.  We’ll continue our outreach, education and support.  We’ll partner with others whenever we can, to make this world a better place for our queer youth and adults. We will also partner with groups protecting other marginalized people, to make the world better for everyone.

We will continue expanding  collaboration and coordination efforts with local businesses and organizations.

We intend to continue to give an annual PFLAG Mt. Horeb Social Justice award to a graduating senior showing courage and leadership in the fight for social justice.

Further, we show our presence in the Frolic Parade and will continue to have our annual Pride Walk each June.

We remain open to other opportunities where our involvement is helpful.

You are hosting an anniversary celebration this year, right? Can you tell us a bit about that? 

Huntenburg: We are so excited to celebrate PFLAG Mt. Horeb’s 10-year anniversary, on Wednesday, June 25 at Grundahl Park.  To celebrate, we invite everyone to join our annual Pride Walk, starting at 6:00pm. We’ll circle the park accompanied by the FORWARD Marching Band. At 7:00, the popular local band, VO5, will perform on stage from 7:00-9:15pm. There will be several food trucks so folks can buy dinner and ice cream. For the kids, there will be face painting, tattoos, stickers, bracelet making, and perhaps some other activities in the shelter area.  Folks can grab Penzey’s “Remember Transgender” vanilla sugar packets, pride flags, rainbow wristbands, buttons, and maybe some little rainbow trolls.

During the VO5 Concert, we’ll pass around buckets for anyone interested in donating to our annual Mount Horeb High School Social Justice Award, given to a graduating senior.

We hope the community will come out to support PFLAG MoHo and our LGBTQIA+ community, along with families, friends and allies.  This will be a fun family-oriented celebration.

Anything else? 

Huntenburg: I just want to remind folks we are here. We are here for everyone. Even if you don’t think you know anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community, you are welcome to join us the first Monday of each month (September through May) to learn.  Everyone is welcome. And, for those in the queer community who think PFLAG is only for parents, families and friends, it’s not. It’s for you too.

During these challenging times, support and education is so important. PFLAG is for everyone; the LGBTQIA+ community, their families, friends, allies, and folks who just want to learn more.

We are so grateful for the support of the Mt. Horeb community, and look forward to the continued collaboration. When we work together, we make Mt. Horeb safer for all people. We make Mt. Horeb a better place to live.