Jemmie Godwin Accepts FHPFLAG Award at National Convention The Flint Hills Chapter, PFLAG Recieves National Award for Outstanding Educational Programs from PFLAG at National Convention      Jemmie Godwin traveled to Washington DC this weekend to accept the National Annual Award for 2007 Outstanding Educational Programming by a chapter at PFLAG's annual convention.      Nearly 1,000 people attended the two non-fiction plays produced last year through a grant from the Caroline Piene Foundation. The chapter's effort to expand the dialogue about gay and lesbian concerns included outreadh to local churches, radio advertising, and after show dialogues with people that attended the shows.     National Executive Director, Jody Huckaby said "Both productions are powerful and riveting plays that send tremendous messages. All of the individuals and families portrayed are very courageous--they personify unconditional love. I am pleased to present them with this much deserved education award that is recognition from all PFLAGers for their great work."      "Our group took advantage of the project to build new relationships with community organizations and the media, said chapter Past President, Jason Lantz. "The Family Ties Project demonstrates the power of the grassroots to create positive change in the heartland."      Chapters were nominated by PFLAG members and the winners were selected by the National Awards Committee. Other winners included the New Orleans LA chapter for "support" and the Indianapolis IN Chapter for Advocacy. The awards were presented October 13 at the awards luncheon as part of the PFLAG National Convention sponsored by IBM.	The Family ties Project DVD is FREE to Libraries, Educational and Non-profit Institutions, Church Groups and PFLAG Chapters.  Send your request for the DVD to: FHPFLAG, P.O. Box 534, Manhattan KS USA 66505. Please include your shipping address and $10 to cover shipping and handling. Others may purchase The Family Ties Project DVD  HERE! Both Plays Now Available on One DVD, from the live, theater recording for $25! Please send a check for $25 for the DVD containing both plays. Price includes shipping and handling. Make checks out to FHPFLAG and include your mailing / shipping information to:  FHPFLAG, PO Box 534, Manhattan, KS 66505 We will mail you the DVD(s) after we receive your check. Thanks for your support. The DVDs contain both plays, If Truth Be Told written from interviews with 6 gay college students, and You Belong To Us, from PFLAG interviews of parents with daughters and sons. Both shows are approximately 70 min. long and are Rated G+ //////// Family Ties Project History & Project Description The issue of LGBT rights in this country has divided a nation on both political and religious fronts. But what happens when this issue begins to divide a family? The psychological roller coaster that an individual endures when attempting to understand their sexuality is one complicated by prejudices, family expectations, and risks. Through a dramatic exploration, the non-fiction play If Truth be Told, explores the story of six gay men who relive the flashbacks of both positive and negative interactions that cross their mind every time an attempt is made to tell their parents about their sexual orientation. In the end, two men take this risk, and the results are anything but predictable. In an attempt to bridge the generation gap and also build acceptance at a family level, If Truth be Told hopes to unite all community members in the human experience while also gaining awareness of how everyday behaviors impact secrets kept for a lifetime.
The Family Ties Project Committee Paul--Public Relations; Karl-- Finance; Jean-Marie Navetta, Asst. Dir. of Communications at PFLAG National Office; Jason, Pres. FHPLAG and Project Director; Tammi--website design and Past President, FHPFLAG
Congratulations to the Writers/ Directors, Cast and Crew of the Family Ties Project for their recognition as Outstanding Chapter for Education at the National Convention Oct. 13!  Martha Crouse, graduate student in theater at Kansas State University, wrote, produced and directed our fall play for the Family Ties Project, "If Truth Be Told."  Jemmie Godwin, playwrite-director for You Belong to Us, came to us from Tennessee. She is finishing her Masters in Theatre, with a concentration in Drama Therapy from Kansas State University. She plans to continue to use the art and power of Theatre as a medium for social change.  Jemmie and FHPFLAG President Jason Lantz cooked up this little project over coffee. Great minds think alike! Thank you Jemmie and Jason for making this dream come true.                                                                   The Family Ties Project DVD "Whew!!!!  You Belong To Us is a very powerful play.  All of the families portrayed are very courageous.  They personify "unconditional love."  The actors were terrific.  I hope this DVD is widely distributed as it is a great educational tool.  The person who wrote it should get an award.  It was riveting!     -L.
The Casts of "If Truth Be Told" and"You Belong To Us" celebrated a Great Success!  Over 900 people attended the shows and participated in the discussions. Family Ties Project DVD Is a Great Educational Tool for your chapter and community.	After the show, the audience quickly joined the actors on stage to share their success.