Meet our Team
Jill Holroyd (she/her)
Chapter Lead
I'm the proud mom of two young adults, and a proud pflag mom because of my transgender son. When he first came out at age 16, I started attending Toronto pflag meetings to connect with other parents and to learn from 2SLGBTQ+ folks, who generously shared their lived experiences. I joined the board of Toronto pflag in 2012 and volunteered at meetings, events and presentations over the next few years. I also served on the board of pflag Canada for a couple of years. In 2017, my husband and I relocated to my hometown of Pembroke. Now I welcome the opportunity to support and connect with 2SLGBTQ+ youth and adults, and their families, across Renfrew County.
Chapter Lead
I'm the proud mom of two young adults, and a proud pflag mom because of my transgender son. When he first came out at age 16, I started attending Toronto pflag meetings to connect with other parents and to learn from 2SLGBTQ+ folks, who generously shared their lived experiences. I joined the board of Toronto pflag in 2012 and volunteered at meetings, events and presentations over the next few years. I also served on the board of pflag Canada for a couple of years. In 2017, my husband and I relocated to my hometown of Pembroke. Now I welcome the opportunity to support and connect with 2SLGBTQ+ youth and adults, and their families, across Renfrew County.
Jamie Hawes (he/him)
Chapter Co-Lead
I was born and raised in Ottawa, and moved with my family to the village of Cobden (an hour West of Ottawa) when I was in Grade 10. I knew early on that I was "different,” but I 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 I came out for the first time at age 20 to a supportive co-worker. This journey motivated me to take a lead role with the Pride organization in Pembroke. My goal is to bring visibility, acceptance and education to the Ottawa Valley, so that those who are 2SLGBTQ can celebrate who they are and be role models for others.
Chapter Co-Lead
I was born and raised in Ottawa, and moved with my family to the village of Cobden (an hour West of Ottawa) when I was in Grade 10. I knew early on that I was "different,” but I 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 I came out for the first time at age 20 to a supportive co-worker. This journey motivated me to take a lead role with the Pride organization in Pembroke. My goal is to bring visibility, acceptance and education to the Ottawa Valley, so that those who are 2SLGBTQ can celebrate who they are and be role models for others.
RENFREW LEADS
Lisa Peck (she/her)
Hey there! I'm a proud mom of two amazing figure skaters, and if you know anything about figure skating, you know that means a lot of early mornings and glitter! When I'm not cheering them on at the rink, I'm a passionate advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I'm looking forward to becoming more involved with pflag, working to support and celebrate families just like mine. I came out when I was 27, when I met my partner, and it was a truly transformative experience. Living in a small town, I really value connection and building a supportive community. I believe everyone deserves to feel loved and accepted for exactly who they are. So, that's me in a nutshell! Always happy to connect with fellow skaters, 2SLGBTQIA+ allies, and anyone who believes in the power of kindness.
Hey there! I'm a proud mom of two amazing figure skaters, and if you know anything about figure skating, you know that means a lot of early mornings and glitter! When I'm not cheering them on at the rink, I'm a passionate advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I'm looking forward to becoming more involved with pflag, working to support and celebrate families just like mine. I came out when I was 27, when I met my partner, and it was a truly transformative experience. Living in a small town, I really value connection and building a supportive community. I believe everyone deserves to feel loved and accepted for exactly who they are. So, that's me in a nutshell! Always happy to connect with fellow skaters, 2SLGBTQIA+ allies, and anyone who believes in the power of kindness.
Lisa Dicker (she/her)
Hello, friends! I’m a mom of four amazing humans - two young adults and two youths. In 2017, I woke up to a beautiful message from my oldest – hand-drawn and coloured paper letter cutouts that spelled out the beginning of a new journey for me as a pflag mom. Having family members and good friends encompassing the entire acronym, I can’t think of a better place for myself than with pflag, working together to create connections and opportunities for Renfrew County’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Hello, friends! I’m a mom of four amazing humans - two young adults and two youths. In 2017, I woke up to a beautiful message from my oldest – hand-drawn and coloured paper letter cutouts that spelled out the beginning of a new journey for me as a pflag mom. Having family members and good friends encompassing the entire acronym, I can’t think of a better place for myself than with pflag, working together to create connections and opportunities for Renfrew County’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
EGANVILLE LEADS
Aislinn Caron (she/her)
Aislinn came out later in life at the age of 42 when she realized she was both asexual and a lesbian. It was a journey of discovery and acceptance that has blown the doors open to radical authenticity in her life. She lives in Eganville with her two kids and runs a home-based plant nursery. Aislinn is committed to community building and the expression of queer joy in daily life.
Aislinn came out later in life at the age of 42 when she realized she was both asexual and a lesbian. It was a journey of discovery and acceptance that has blown the doors open to radical authenticity in her life. She lives in Eganville with her two kids and runs a home-based plant nursery. Aislinn is committed to community building and the expression of queer joy in daily life.
Amy Rouillard (she/her/they)
Born and raised in the Ottawa Valley, I left for university in the big city shortly after realizing that I was queer. On returning home decades later, I was overjoyed to learn that there was now a thriving community for queer folk right here in the Valley. I’m glad to do what I can to help nurture and support that community. I look forward to a future when all young people can know that they are safe and loved no matter what, and I think pflag is doing great work to help families and queer youth to get there.
Born and raised in the Ottawa Valley, I left for university in the big city shortly after realizing that I was queer. On returning home decades later, I was overjoyed to learn that there was now a thriving community for queer folk right here in the Valley. I’m glad to do what I can to help nurture and support that community. I look forward to a future when all young people can know that they are safe and loved no matter what, and I think pflag is doing great work to help families and queer youth to get there.
PFLAG ARNPRIOR
Did you know? There are two pflag Chapters serving Renfrew County: pflag Renfrew County and pflag Arnprior! Our chapters collaborate and support one another throughout the year.
Did you know? There are two pflag Chapters serving Renfrew County: pflag Renfrew County and pflag Arnprior! Our chapters collaborate and support one another throughout the year.
Sophie Smith-Doré (she/her)
Arnprior Chapter Lead
email: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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 2SLGBTQ. 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. |
