(He/Him/His) moved to Sparta ten years ago and he and his partner, Prash, split time between Sparta and New York City. They adopted Ella, a rescued Great Pyrenees mix, nine years ago and are currently in the process of adopting another Great Pyr rescue. Todd grew up in Central Illinois and attended college in Connecticut, where he graduated with a degree in History. Todd is currently a Director of People & Organization (HR) for Mars, Inc.

(she/her/ella) lives in Sussex Boro and is an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. She is a new member of PFLAG Sussex County in 2023 and also sits on the board for Sussex County Pride - the first LGBTQ+ advocacy group in Sussex County that believes that action on a local level as an important component to empowering members of the LGBTQ+ community. Damaris is married to her husband Johnny and they have 2 dogs, Nacho and Kiki. She has a been a paralegal for over 20 years and loves spending time volunteering and doing her best to leave this world better than she found it.

(she/her) lives in Sparta, and is an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. She joined PFLAG in the spring of 2023. Anne is married to her husband Tim, and they have 2 children, Finn and Sam, who is a transgender man, and 2 rescue Siberian Huskies, Odin and Kemah. Anne is a chiropractor, and has been in private practice in Sparta for 25 years.

About me: I am a trans female. To me I have always been Michelle. From the youngest age I knew I was a bit different. Taking clothes from my mother and sister, playing with Barbies and not GI Joes, but in the 60s and 70s I had no idea who I really was, so I suppressed my authentic self, but I still knew I was Michelle. Fast forward, got married, 2 children. Came out to my wife who was a teacher and the leader for the LGBTQ+ at her school. What I thought it was a safe space, was not. We got divorced, lost my children, friends and job. Started over with someone else, with the same basic result. Two twenty-year relationships ended because I just wanted to be my authentic self. Now I live by myself with my two boys (dogs), who are my heart and soul. I work at a good company and I am out 100% socially and prob. come out at work in 2026. All I want to do now is continue my own journey while helping others on theirs. Any way or how I can help that is what I want to do. Thank you for your love and support as I try to build a network of like minded people and PFLAG is perfect for doing that. Why am I running for PFLAG Sussex County Board? As a transgender female I want to give back to the community and help others on their journey as well. I was a previous board member for the TCNE (Tiffeny Club of New England). TCNE is a 40 yr old LGBTQ+ organization. I was the treasurer for TCNE for 2 yrs and a member for 5 yrs. I was part of the community and developed some wonderful relationships. Some friends I still have today. During that time, I was also involved in many community events and helped several individuals and families. I am hoping to do that and more here at PFLAG. Being part of the board I will be a servant leader. I will do what I can with other board members and members to help the marginal and support those that need supporting and make the best community I can for those that need us, I plan to answer the call.

About me: I'm Rai Dorzback (he/him), a 25 year old trans man who lives in Sparta, NJ. I am a software engineer, the founder of Sussex County's first tech meetup (North Jersey Tech Collective), a photographer, crafter, poet, and cat dad. I also have a background in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience-- my capstone project in undergrad was building a database of pre-screened, trauma-informed mental health care providers for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC clients.  Why I'm running to be on the boar of PFLAG Sussex County: When the current political climate left me feeling paralyzed, alone, and like I had no control, I knew it was more important than ever to be active in my local community. I joined PFLAG this year searching for community and allies as a trans man in Sussex County. I found a group of caring and accepting people in an area where LGBTQ+ folks don't always feel welcomed.  I want to serve on the PFLAG Sussex County board because I believe in the power of local advocacy and community building. My background in community organizing through the North Jersey Tech Collective (the first tech meetup in Sussex County) and New York Code & Coffee (one of the largest tech meetups in NYC) has taught me how to bring people together, facilitate meaningful connections, and create inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued.  As a 25-year-old trans man new to Sussex County, I joined PFLAG this year seeking community and allies in an area where LGBTQ+ folks don't always feel welcomed. I found exactly that—a caring and accepting group committed to meaningful change. I believe in the power of local advocacy and want to help take action. My community organizing experience through the North Jersey Tech Collective and New York Code & Coffee has taught me how to bring people together and create inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued.

About me: Newton, NJ is where I currently live with my husband, and our combined 4 children, 2 dogs and 5 cats. I am an avid gardener, both flowers and vegetables. I recently started keeping honey bees, which has become my daily meditation. I enjoy cooking, singing, dancing and celebrating life's big and small happy moments. I enjoy camping in the fall and spring, my husband and I love going on small trips on weekends, and finding all the bookstores that these towns have. I am running for a board seat with PFLAG, simply because the organization is very important to me. I have been a LGBTQ Ally since I was a child and I knew my best friend John was different, but at the age of 5 neither of us understood it. As we aged, I became the girl the gay guys at high school could confide in. When my one friend came out at 16 he stayed with my family for several weeks until his parents understood, he was the same child they loved the day before, but now he was braver, and more true to himself. After that I vowed I would always try to make the lives of the LGBTQ community easier. Several years ago I found a new tattoo artist who I knew was a lesbian. I asked her what her pronouns were before our first appointment. I remember her telling me no other client had asked her this. After that first appointment, she and I continued to build our relationship over tattoo appointments. I now lovingly refer to her as my Niece, no longer using the word adopted, just this is my Niece. I’ve seen what my acceptance and support of her life has helped her get through, she knows I will always be a soft place for her and her wife to fall when they are let down by others. I feel every person deserves someone they know that they are not related to or married to that loves them for who they are.