Welcome to TNG’s new motherly advice column, The Mother Lode! This week, Zack’s mom, Gaga, is back to let us know how she feels about PFLAG and other support groups for the family and friends of LGBTQ folks like us!

Q: Dear Moms,

Are you a member of PFLAG or any other supportive groups for LGBTQ friends and family? If so, what are the benefits of organizations like this to you, and if not, why not?

-J

A: Dear J,

The day after Zack told my husband, Robert, and I that he was gay at the beginning of his sophomore year of college, we drove six hours from rural Ohio home to Chicago. The trip seemed to last days, not hours. All the journalistic questions — who? what? where? when? how? why? — were bouncing around in our heads or between us in conversation as we tried to make sense of Zack’s news.

I did call PFLAG shortly after we arrived home, both having heard good things about the organization, and initially feeling isolated and confused. The nearest chapter was somewhat distant from our home, only met once a month, and we had trouble around scheduling. As time passed, we felt less of a need for a support group, as we educated ourselves and spoke with other folks that we knew. Mostly, though, it was a result of our integrating this new facet of Zack’s identity with the love we’ve always felt for him.

That said, as parent-child relationships (like all meaningful relationships) can be challenging, if I ever felt the need I would absolutely use PFLAG as a resource.

GAGA

Got a question for our moms? Send any and all queries to submit@thenewgay.net and they will be answered posthaste. Rocky’s mom, Daisy, will be back next Friday! See you next week!