Meet our Team
Jill Holroyd (she/her)
Chapter Lead
Email: renfrewcountyon@pflagcanada.ca
Jill was living in Toronto when her eldest child told her they were "on the rainbow" at age 16. A few months later they explained that they are non-binary and pansexual - terms Jill had never heard before. Looking for information and resources, Jill found Pflag Canada and Toronto Pflag. She also saw the rejection and bullying that LGBTQ2S people face in their daily lives, and resolved to be an ally. She joined the Board of Toronto Pflag in 2012 and participated in support meetings, events and presentations over the next few years. Jill and her husband relocated to her hometown of Pembroke in 2017, and she welcomes this opportunity to support and connect with LGBTQ2S youth and adults, and their families, across Renfrew County.
Chapter Lead
Email: renfrewcountyon@pflagcanada.ca
Jill was living in Toronto when her eldest child told her they were "on the rainbow" at age 16. A few months later they explained that they are non-binary and pansexual - terms Jill had never heard before. Looking for information and resources, Jill found Pflag Canada and Toronto Pflag. She also saw the rejection and bullying that LGBTQ2S people face in their daily lives, and resolved to be an ally. She joined the Board of Toronto Pflag in 2012 and participated in support meetings, events and presentations over the next few years. Jill and her husband relocated to her hometown of Pembroke in 2017, and she welcomes this opportunity to support and connect with LGBTQ2S youth and adults, and their families, across Renfrew County.
Jamie Hawes (he/him)
Chapter Co-Lead
Email: pempride@gmail.com
Jamie was born and raised in Ottawa, and moved with his family to the village of Cobden (an hour West of Ottawa) when he was in Grade 10. He knew early on that he was "different,” but he didn’t know of anyone who was LGBTQ. A lack of role models, along with daily bullying at school, led to struggles with self-acceptance until he came out for the first time at age 20 to a supportive co-worker. This journey motivated Jamie to take a lead role with the Pride organization in Pembroke, where he now lives with his fiance. Jamie's goal is to bring visibility, acceptance and education to the Ottawa Valley, so that those who are LGBTQ2S can celebrate who they are and be role models for others.
Chapter Co-Lead
Email: pempride@gmail.com
Jamie was born and raised in Ottawa, and moved with his family to the village of Cobden (an hour West of Ottawa) when he was in Grade 10. He knew early on that he was "different,” but he didn’t know of anyone who was LGBTQ. A lack of role models, along with daily bullying at school, led to struggles with self-acceptance until he came out for the first time at age 20 to a supportive co-worker. This journey motivated Jamie to take a lead role with the Pride organization in Pembroke, where he now lives with his fiance. Jamie's goal is to bring visibility, acceptance and education to the Ottawa Valley, so that those who are LGBTQ2S can celebrate who they are and be role models for others.
Sophie Smith-Doré (she/her)
Arnprior Chapter Lead
Email: arnprioron@pflagcanada.ca
Sophie grew up in a small conservative town and though she knew as young as 9 that she was bisexual, it was something she wouldn't say out loud until her 30s after moving to Ottawa a decade earlier. After moving to Arnprior with her husband and two children, it was navigating the challenges her child faced when they came out as pansexual at 12 that led Sophie to reach out to Pflag for support. After only one meeting, Sophie was so moved by the bravery of the community members seeking support, and those providing it - that she committed to joining the ranks of fierce Pflag Mamas to support those whose families cannot support them and to remind them of their incredible value.
Arnprior Chapter Lead
Email: arnprioron@pflagcanada.ca
Sophie grew up in a small conservative town and though she knew as young as 9 that she was bisexual, it was something she wouldn't say out loud until her 30s after moving to Ottawa a decade earlier. After moving to Arnprior with her husband and two children, it was navigating the challenges her child faced when they came out as pansexual at 12 that led Sophie to reach out to Pflag for support. After only one meeting, Sophie was so moved by the bravery of the community members seeking support, and those providing it - that she committed to joining the ranks of fierce Pflag Mamas to support those whose families cannot support them and to remind them of their incredible value.
The Pflag Story
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Pflag Canada is a national charitable organization that oversees dozens of Pflag chapters across the country. The Renfrew County chapter was launched in May, 2018 in collaboration with Pembroke Pride and Family & Children's Services of Renfrew County.
We held our first support meeting in Pembroke in July, 2018. We partnered with Trinity-St. Andrew's United Church to launch Pflag support meetings in Renfrew in February, 2019. The Arnprior group will begin meeting in October, 2019. In addition, we've advocated for Pride flag raisings across Renfrew County, hosted book readings and film nights, and delivered dozens of presentations to schools and community groups on how to create safe and inclusive spaces for people who are LGBTQ2S. We are 100% volunteer run, and we welcome your participation and support as we establish and grow Pflag Renfrew County to serve communities across the county. |
The First Pflag Mom
Pflag began in New York City in 1972, when Jeanne Manford marched alongside her son Morty in what would eventually become the Pride Parade. Jeanne held a sign that read "Parents of Gays: Unite in Support for our Children." Several LGBT people rushed up to Jeanne and asked her to speak to their parents, so she decided to form a support group. The first meeting, at a church in Greenwich Village, attracted 20 people. Today Pflag is a network of hundreds of chapters around the world.
In 2014 the U.S. headquarters officially changed its name from Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays to simply, Pflag. This recognizes that people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions are welcome in the Pflag family while honouring the organization's heritage. Read more about the history and evolution of Pflag here. |
