PFLAG Sussex County started after the Pride flag was burned off the flagpole at a local church. A few church members realized that something needed to be done in response to the hate crime our community experienced. What better way to do that than start a group that supports, educates, and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.  

The church members recruited other members from the local community and began the process of becoming an official PFLAG chapter. After many months of going through the process with PFLAG National and getting all the documentation filed with the state, we became an official PFLAG Chapter in November of 2022. Once we were all setup, we hit the ground running.  

Within our first year, our community rallied around us and we accomplished many greats and firsts for our local community. We had our first community support meeting in February 2023 and continue to have them once a month. We advocated (and accomplished) having the first Pride flag flown in the county at a government building.  We co-sponsored the Sussex County Pride event and set up family friendly activities for all to enjoy.  We hosted a craft fair that featured many LGBTQ+ vendors and helped build a sense of community with local people as well as local businesses who were more than generous with their donations.  We’ve set up social events around the county at various LGBTQ+ friendly local businesses as well as hosted one ourselves to help build relationships and have a welcoming space to go.  

We started something in response to hate and have turned it around into an amazing organization that supports, advocates and educates our local community.  We will continue to lead with love and advocate for inclusivity for all!