More Light LGBTQ+ Outreach Committee

First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton (FPCe) is an open and inclusive church. We welcome everyone at the table. FPCe is a proud member of the More Light Presbyterians.

The goal of FPCe's More Light LGBTQ+ Outreach Committee is to serve gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their families and friends — both those who are members of the FPCe congregation and those in the community at large.  

Organized in 2014, the More Light Committee grew out of the late Rev. Don Steele's 2013 More Light Sunday sermon that called on FPCe to find ways to educate people both within the congregation and in the community at large about LGBT issues.

This Web page is one of the ways FPCe’s More Light committee would like to serve the Tri-Cities LGBTQ+ community. If you have any news, upcoming events, or ongoing gatherings you’d like to publicize, feel free to send the information to Jane Woodside, and we'll do our best to spread the word.

News & Events

More Light Facebook Page


Wayland Dykes, co-faciliator of the More Light LGBTQ+ Outreach Committee at First Presbyterian of Elizabethton, has created a Facebook page  to serve the LGBTQ+ community in the Tri-Cities of Northeast Tennessee.

   Check it out at  www.facebook.com/more.light.elizabethton/


Faith & Sexual Ethics

What is it?

Let's talk about sex! A conversation on faith and sexual ethics will be hosted by UKirk, ETSU's Presbyterian Campus ministry as part of its Questioning Fearlessly worship series.

    It plans to  tackle questions such as: What is a Christian perspective on sexual ethics? What is your personal sexual ethic and how has your faith informed that? How does the concept of consent come into play within a Christian viewpoint? 


When?

April 15th at 6 pm for dinner and 7 pm for discussion. Hope to see you there!    


Where is it?

Presbyterian Campus Ministries House behind ETSU
1412 College Heights Rd.
Johnson City, Tennessee


For more information

Visit the UKirk Facebook page

E-mail  UKirk director Olivia Marenco at  olivia@presbyhouse.org

Call 423-926-2522




PFLAG Clothing Swap


What is the PFLAG Clothing Swap? 
If you're in the market for a new warm weather wardrobe or want to donate clothes or accessories, come to PFLAG Tri-Cities' first clothing and shoes swap of 2019.  All styles and sizes are available, and there's no charge.

When?
Thursday, April 18, from noon to 5 p.m.

Where is it?

Presbyterian Campus Ministries House behind ETSU
1412 College Heights Rd.
Johnson City, Tennessee


For more information
Visit PFLAG's Facebook page
Visit the Web site
Email PFLAG
Call 423-390-8585


 PFLAG’s Monthly Meeting

What's happening this month?

As with all of PFLAG meetings, it will start with a chance to give and receive support as well as discuss recent events, life news, etc.

This month is PFLAG's Annual Spring Fling! Bring your favorite snack for a potluck meal to share with everyone! And be prepared with your competitive spirit for some group games! This is a great meeting to meet and mingle with folks.



When? 
The 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.  This month's meeting will be Thursday, April 18.


Where?

Presbyterian Campus Ministries House behind ETSU

1412 College Heights Rd.

Johnson City, Tennessee


For more information
Visit PFLAG's Facebook page
Visit the Web site
Email PFLAG
Call 423-390-8585




Monday Night Forum

Organized by the Pride Community Center of the Tri-Cities, it is an open forum for suggestions, discussions, information, planning, and volunteer opportunities.


When?

The second Monday of every month, 6-7 p.m.


Where?

Willow Tree Coffeehouse

216 E Main St. 

Johnson City, Tennessee


For more information, visit the Pride Community Center's Facebook Page.




More Light Sunday
What is More Light Sunday? 
More Light Sunday is a religious service created and conducted by LGBTQ+ members of the First Presbyterian of Elizabethton (FPCe) congregation who share their stories and insights. 
   It’s also a chance for everyone to affirm FPCe as a welcoming, inclusive church. In addition, there will be a LGBTQ-themed Adult Forum before the services. 
   Watch this site for more details.

When?

Sunday, June 9, 2019, 11 a.m. to noon (service); Adult Forum 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. 


Where?

FPCe, 119 W F St, Elizabethton Tennessee; the Adult Forum is downstairs in the Tom Dixon Room.


Who is welcome?
All are welcome. You do not need to attend FPCe (or any other house of worship) to come and help us celebrate.

For more information
Call (423) 542-4321 or e-mail Jane Woodside, Wayland Dykes, or Rev. Brian Wyatt.

The Social Gathering


What is the Social Gathering?
A regularly scheduled potluck.

Who is Invited?
All LGBT individuals in the Tri-Cities and their straight allies. (Church membership or attendance is NOT required.)

When?
The second Sunday of each month from 6-9 p.m.

Why?
To help people build social relationships and to share experiences.

Where?
First Presbyterian Church of  Elizabethton (FPCe)
119 West F Street
Elizabethton, Tennessee

For more information
Contact FPCe at (423) 542-4321
E-mail Tony Hedrick

Open Space

What is Open Space?

Sponsored by UKirk, the Presbyterian campus ministry, Open Space is a support group whose goal is to help you integrate and celebrate your identity as both an LGBTQ individual and a religious/spiritual human being. It’s a safe and anonymous space to share your story and hear someone else’s.


Who’s Invited?

Students and student-aged LGBTQ individuals of all faiths.


When?

Every Friday at 1 p.m. until May 1.


Where are the meetings?

Presbyterian Campus Ministries House behind ETSU

1412 College Heights Rd.

Johnson City, Tennessee

 

For more information

Visit the UKirk’s Facebook Page

E-mail Olivia at the Presbyterian Campus Ministries House  

Call 423-926-2522


Tri-Cities Pride Parade & Festival


What is it?

Organized by TriPrideTN, the Tri-Cities Pride Festival and Parade is a family-friendly event that celebrates inclusion, equality, community, and self-empowerment. 

   The theme of the 2nd annual pride event is “Look How Far We’ve Come,” chosen to emphasize the progress of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion over the past 50 years. A series of activities during Pride week will lead up to Saturday’s parade and festival. The festival will feature live entertainment, vendors, exhibitors and food trucks. 

   All events are free and open to the public.


When is it?

Saturday, September 7, 2019


Where is it?

Downtown Kingsport, Tennessee


For  more information about business sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, registering to participate in the parade, having a festival booth or lodging specials ...

Visit TriPride TN's Web site

also check out TriPride TN’s Facebook Page.  

LGBT Organizations

PFLAG Tri-Cities


What is PFLAG Tri-Cities?

A local chapter of the national nonprofit PFLAG organization.


Who does it serve? 

All LGBT individuals in the Tri-Cities and their straight allies.


What does PFLAG do & why?

Holds regularly scheduled meetings the third Thursday of each month from 7-8 pm. These meetings provide support to, education about, and advocacy for the LGBT community.


Where are the meetings?

Presbyterian Campus Ministries House behind ETSU

1412 College Heights Rd.

Johnson City, Tennessee


For more information:

Visit PFLAG's Facebook page or the Web site

E-mail PFLAG

Call 423-390-8585



SAGA

What is SAGA?

SAGA is an East Tennessee State University (ETSU) student organization committed to the equality of all sexual, affectional, and gender minority individuals and their allies. It provides education and a safe space for those in the ETSU community.


What does it stand for?

The Sexuality and Gender Alliance.


Who does it serve?

All ETSU students, faculty, staff, and their guests.

 

What does SAGA do and why?

Provides social support, education opportunities, and campus advocacy.

 

When  & where are the meetings?

Meetings on ETSU Campus

Rogers-Stout Room 120
@ 7:00pm Tuesdays

First meeting of the Spring Semester – January 22.

 

For more information

Call Bethanie Dye at 423-439-4446

Visit its Facebook Page or Web page

E-mail SAGA

Follow us on Twitter or Instagram


Pride Community Center of the

Tri-Cities


What does the Pride Community Center do?

Acts as a sponsor of events such as June’s march and Pride in the Park Day; maintains a web page with information about LGBT-owned and friendly businesses and upcoming LGBT events in the Tri-Cities.


Who does it serve?

LGBT individuals in the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas.


What are its goals?

It is dedicated to providing a safe space to foster the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of LGBT individuals. The organization’s long-term goal is to establish a community center in downtown Johnson City, Tennessee, where people can gather socially, hold meetings, have functions, and pool all the resources of the LGBT community.


For more information, visit the Pride Center's Facebook page.




Tennessee Equality Project

  • What is it?
    A statewide public policy organization founded in 2004 that works for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their families. TEP is a good source of information about proposed Tennessee state legislation affecting the LGBT community.

For more information, visit the TEP’s Web site

To keep informed about proposed Tennessee state legislation that affects the LGBT community, sign up for TEP’s  Action & Alert e-mail list.



Tri-Cities Area Transgender Support (TCATS)

TCATS is a peer-led support group dedicated to creating an inclusive and safe place for trans/non-binary people to find and cultivate friendships. It seeks to empower and enrich the lives of its members while respecting and affirming their identities.


Note
To protect the privacy of its members, TCATS does not publicize specific information about its support group meetings. Specifics can always be obtained by contacting the TCT Facebook page. All such inquiries are kept strictly confidential.


Alleycats

  • Alleycats is a group of partners, family, friends, and peers of trans/non-binary individuals dedicated to creating a safe space for allies so, in turn, they may provide an affirming environment for their loved ones. Alleycats provides support, education, and advocacy for and on behalf of allies of the trans community.

  • Alleycats sponsors HUGS (Helping Understanding through Group Support), a peer-based support group. In order to provide peer-focused support, there are currently two groups — one for parents of trans individuals and one for partners of trans individuals.

  • Each group serves the same purpose: a safe, respectful, judgment-free zone in which participants can freely interact with peers regarding their experiences, concerns, and questions in relation to their trans loved ones.

    Note
    To protect the privacy of its members, Alleycats and HUGS do not publicize specific information about its support group meetings. Specifics can always be obtained by contacting the TCT Facebook Page. All such inquiries are kept strictly confidential.

    TriPrideTN

  • What does TriPrideTN do?
    TriPrideTN is a nonprofit that plans to produce a great, family-friendly event annually, one that celebrates inclusion, equality, community, and self-empowerment. Scheduled for September 15 this year, the pride event will feature a parade, a festival, and various after-hour venues for community participation.

  • Who does it serve?
    Members of the LGBTQ communities in Tri-Cities, Tennessee

  • What is its goal?
    To build a stronger and more inclusive community across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

For more information about business sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, registering to participate in the parade, having a festival booth or lodging specials, visit TriPrideTN's Web site. You can also check out TriPride TN’s Facebook Page.


Keep Informed & Keep in Touch
Suggestion Box
If you would like to suggest a way the More Light LGBT Outreach Committee can be of service, please e-mail Wayland Dykes or  Jane Woodside.

Join the Distribution List
If you would like to join an e-mail list and be notified about news and events of interest to the LGBT community, send your name and e-mail address to Wayland Dykes or  Jane Woodside.


Committee Members
Wayland Dykes, co-facilitator
Jane Woodside, co-facilitator
Niko Armstrong
Tony Hedrick
Luke Kindred
Delanna Reed
Hazel Watts
Gregory Watterson
Tom Watterson
Jack Woodside
Rev. Brian Wyatt