Minnesota’s newest chapter of Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is coming to the northland.

The community in Thief River Falls had their first meeting in late March. “We had about 7 people show up and are moving forward with the chapter,” organizer David Stocum told TheColu.mn.

The northwest corner of the state doesn’t have much for organized LGBT groups. Fargo-Moorhead has the Pride Collective, more than 100 miles away. Fifty miles away in Grand Forks, a PFLAG chapter was started several years ago but floundered.

“We look at a chapter as a start at building a support system and a sense of community for LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender),” Stocum told the Grand Forks Herald last month. “You can come to a meeting without outing yourself. If someone sees you going to an event, you’re not necessarily a gay person. “It proves a safe environment for folks who are not openly gay.”

The chapter is having its second meeting on April 17 at the Thief River Falls Public Library in the Fireside Meeting Room.

From the press release:

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, education, and advocacy. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. DURING THE MEETING WE WILL: Learn about our vision for a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Learn about PFLAG’s national strategic goals and begin developing local goals. Create a working group to complete affiliation process and plan local activities. And define next steps.