What if the support you've been looking for was one conversation away, right where you work?
PFLAG National's Jamie Henkel joins the show to talk about Creating Pride in Families, a brand new resource library designed to help parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ people build peer support networks inside their workplaces. Whether your company has a thriving ERG or you're starting from scratch, this episode will show you what's possible and how to get there.
Jamie also gets honest about what allyship actually requires: doing your own homework, speaking up even when it's imperfect, and understanding that silence is never the safe choice.
In this episode you'll learn how to:
- Access PFLAG's Creating Pride in Families resource library and use it to start or strengthen a workplace parent group
- Navigate the current DEI climate, including why some companies are actually increasing their investment right now
- Find PFLAG support if there's no local chapter near you, including free virtual options and identity-specific communities
- Take action as an ally without waiting until you feel ready or perfectly informed
- Understand what your LGBTQ+ loved one actually needs from you, and why getting it wrong is still better than staying silent
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Creating Pride in Families resource library: https://pflag.org/press/creating-pride-in-families/
- Find a local chapter or PFLAG Connects virtual meeting: pflag.org
- PFLAG Connects Communities (free identity-specific virtual support groups)
- PFLAG Academy Online (monthly webinar program for members and allies)
- Free publications including Our Trans Loved Ones and Faith in Our Families: pflag.org
About Jamie Henkel:
Jamie Henkel (she/her) is the Vice President of Learning and Inclusion at PFLAG National, where she has worked since 2008. She oversees the development of PFLAG's Straight for Equality publications and learning sessions, serves as the architect of PFLAG Academy Online, and has spent her career building tools that help families and allies show up with more courage and less fear. She lives in Portland, Oregon.
Connect with PFLAG National:
pflag.org
Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!
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At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and grow their capacity for courageous, compassionate connection.
For parents, allies, and those pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action.
Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in, I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey.
More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen is a safe and supportive podcast in a heartfelt and empowering space where a mom and advocate offers the wisdom of lived experience and practical guidance and education to parents and allies, teaching empathy, kindness, love, and strong boundaries while supporting LGBTQ teens and the diverse LGBTQ community, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, transgender, and queer individuals, through conversations about mental health, grief, gender identity, sexual orientation, human rights, social justice, parenting, parent support, and meaningful LGBTQ allyship and allyship in action.
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