When Joan Hunting’s son decided to take a shot at happiness by transitioning to a woman, her first reaction was support.
“I will support her in anything but it’s like, I am going to support you, but oh, holy hell, where do I get support for me?” said Hunting. “I’ve had a son for 35 years.”
Hunting, a Nanaimo resident, said she was in complete ignorance of what transgendered was and what it meant. She’d heard of actress Christine Jorgensen, but didn’t know anything about the LGBTQ community and had questions about what transgendered meant and how she’d get her head wrapped around it. She found there was no real support and nothing locally.
Five years later, Hunting is helping to set up a Nanaimo chapter of PFLAG, a national charitable organization that offers peer support for LGBTQ individuals and their friends and families, like with issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
The first meeting happens this Sunday (Sept. 17) at Brechin United Church.
“I didn’t want other people to have to do it on their own like I did and I think it’s really important even just to be able to talk to other people about your fears, your feelings, because there aren’t any right or wrong feelings,” she said. “Feelings are what they are but you need to express them, you need to get education.”
Hunting says it’s through education that she’s learned so much and that she and her daughter were able to go on a journey together.
The new chapter of PFLAG, while open to LGBTQ individuals, will focus on support for friends and families.
Liz Harvey, also involved in starting up the PFLAG chapter, said in an e-mail that it’s high time the mid Island has a safe and confidential place where people come together to support each other in respect and understanding. Previously anyone needing support or information regarding LGBTQIA+ issues had to travel to Victoria or the mainland, she said.
Sunday’s meeting is from 2-4 p.m.