Sunday 2pm to 5pm

See our ongoing fundraiser at Shields Of Troy below

August 10th

Linda Karle-Nelson and Tom Nelson

An Inspiring Story

Tom Nelson and Linda Karle-Nelson were married in May, 2006. After being a widow for 16 years, Linda reestablished a friendship with Tom Nelson who was himself a recent widower. It was at a PFLAG Detroit Sunday meeting that they reconnected and were subsequently married. Shortly after their marriage, they became co-Presidents of PFLAG Detroit.

Linda is the mother of three children, the youngest of whom, John, is gay. She is a graduate of Marygrove College (BA) and Wayne State University (MA) in Detroit. Linda worked for many years as a Speech Pathologist and has been active in her local church as a religious education teacher, choir member, lector, Worship Commission Chairperson, and liturgy planner. Linda is currently President of Fortunate Families and is active in a variety of ministries including Call To Action, Pax Christi, New Ways Ministry, Elephants in the Living Room, and Dignity Detroit. She is the founder of "Always Our Children," (Putting a Human Face on Homosexuality.)

Tom is the father of six; his third child, Mark, is gay. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (BSME) and Michigan State University (MBA), and is retired from Ford Motor Co. Engineering management. A former naval officer, he has also held leadership roles in several civic organizations. Tom is a life-long dedicated Catholic; his parish activities have included lecturing, religious education teacher, men’s choir, ushering, soup kitchen and others. Tom is also a charter member of Always Our Children. He is currently on the Board of Directors of Fortunate Families, and an active member of Call To Action, Dignity Detroit, Elephants in the Living Room, and Pax Christi.

After Tom’s son, Mark, came out as gay, Tom wrote a story about his reaction and subsequent growth. Tom’s story, titled “God Gave Me a Gay Son” was honored as one of Ten Best Catholic Writings of 2005. This was an anthology published by Loyola Press in 2005 and is still available on the Fortunate Families website.

Tom and Linda are currently the co-Presidents of PFLAG Manistee which they recently founded. Their achievement resulted in an award from the local Peace and Justice organization for promoting community awareness. A PFLAG chapter in conservative Manistee is a most unlikely story. You’ll hear about their adventure and how it happened in their own words at our September meeting.

We hope you will join us Sunday, September 12^th to hear the inspiring story of these two wonderful activists for the GLBT community!

As always, we welcome everyone, whether member or non-member,

and all GLBTI folks, families and friends.

Our meeting will begin promptly

at 2:00 pm

with Support Groups meeting after the introductions.

Due to the importance of the stories being told by persons in our group discussion, interruptions can be very distracting. We ask that you arrive on time to be able to enter into these groups. Any persons arriving late may be asked to form their own group with a PFLAG greeter.

We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Social Half Hours with refreshments will begin at 3:30pm

Our speaker will present at 4:00pm after brief announcements

After the meeting, or anytime on our meeting day,

enjoy a Pizza & a beer or any other fine menu items at Shield's Of Troy and help support PFLAG Detroit at the same time.