January 12, 2026

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ann Strohm at [email protected]

​New Local Organization Launches: PFLAG Eastern Sierra Chapter

​A new volunteer-led organization has launched in the Eastern Sierra. As of December 3, 2025, PFLAG Eastern Sierra is now one of the over 350 PFLAG chapters across the country. Organized by local community members in Inyo and Mono counties, PFLAG Eastern Sierra formed to offer encouragement, education, and advocacy to support 2SLGBTQIAP+ people and their families, friends, and allies – including co-workers, teachers, doctors, and others. Nationally, PFLAG is the largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for 2SLGBTQIAP+ people and their families.

​As Ann Strohm, who was born in Bishop and is the PFLAG Eastern Sierra Chapter President explains, “Many people don’t know where to turn when a child, family member, friend, or other loved one comes out as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, or pan (2SLGBTQIAP+). This can be especially true in rural areas like ours. PFLAG Eastern Sierra formed to ensure that our big, beautiful area provides a safe and welcoming home for 2SLGBTQIAP+ people, their parents and families, and allies.”

​”As a parent, I unconditionally love my child,” Board Member Wendy McConachie affirms. “As the parent of a trans child, PFLAG is important to me because it provides the education and support needed for parents to understand and unconditionally love their 2SLGBTQIAP+ children. This is why I will be working with PFLAG Eastern Sierra to provide these educational opportunities within our communities.”

​PFLAG Eastern Sierra’s support, education, and advocacy programs will include: 1) peer-to-peer support through monthly meetings and social activities, 2) informational programming to help dispel misinformation about 2SLGBTQIAP+ people, 3) connecting 2SLGBTQIAP+ people with community, parents with resources, and allies with tools, and 4) promoting affirming policies and practices affecting the lives of 2SLGBTQIAP+ people and their families in the Eastern Sierra. PFLAG Eastern Sierra will bolster the 2SLGBTQIAP+ community – and those who love and care about them – with strength, power, and courageous love. If you are interested in being a part of the PFLAG Eastern Sierra Chapter, please consider becoming a member, joining our mailing list, volunteering, making a donation, and/or reaching out to us for information and support. Please contact us at [email protected].