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Our History
The early years
1996 Tulsa, OK
In 1996, the first of four annual gatherings of persons interested in issues faced by those who are both, gay or lesbian, and who are blind was held. These meetings were open to all interested persons. Attendees included sighted and blind, gay and straight, ACB members, board members and guest speakers.
The first gathering was informal. A room was set aside by the convention coordinator at the request of Rob Hill. It was announced only in the convention announcements and not in the convention schedule.
This first meeting centered on a discussion of our needs as a group, and getting support as individuals. There was also talk of forming a special interest affiliate. We made it clear that at that time, we were in no way speaking for ACB as an organization.
1997 Houston, TX
This year's activities reflected needs expressed at the ACB convention in 1996. Several conference calls after the convention were used to plan for future events and for discussing organizing a gay/blind group. During the Houston convention in 1997, a private suite was used for two social events. The first was a get-acquainted time and the second was a farewell party. The mid-week program session featured two invited presenters. A representative of the National Library Service announced a special project to be carried out in Seattle to produce book titles of interest to the gay community. She also brought large print and computer disk copies of a bibliography listing available through The National Library Service with lesbian and gay topics. The second speaker was the president of the Houston chapter of PFLAG. She told of her chapter's initiation of a program of education about gay issues that have had national impact.
The meeting was listed in the formal ACB convention schedule for the first time.
1998 Orlando, FL
The 1998 program session focused on discussion of personal and social problems faced by blind gays and lesbians. It was a time of mutual support. A guest from the Orlando gay community center told the group of activities and resources for gays in Orlando. There was again discussion of developing a special interest affiliate for blind gays and lesbians within ACB.
1999 Los Angeles, CA
There were 2 meetings at the 1999 convention. The Sunday meeting was to get acquainted with each other. There was much discussion among the 14 attending regarding BFLAG's requesting formal affiliation with ACB. On Wednesday, BFLAG hosted an attorney from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Center. Her job is to work with those who are victims of hate crimes and to advocate against such crimes. Some in the group reported incidents of harassment and assault related to their blindness. Those attending voted unanimously to move ahead to request formal affiliation of BFLAG with ACB as a special affiliate. The name of the organization, BFLAG, Blind Friends of Lesbians and Gays, was adopted and officers were selected. Rob Hill, as the President-elect, was to present the formal request for affiliation at the January 2000 meeting of the ACB Board of Directors.
Our History
A chartered organization takes form
2000 Louisville, KY
The year 2000 marked BFLAG's affiliation with the American Council of the Blind (ACB.) The ACB board approved the request for affiliation on February 20 of that year. The affiliation certificate was presented during the first session of the ACB convention in Louisville, KY in July. BFLAG During the week of the convention, BFLAG hosted an affiliate launch party. It was well attended by members and supporters. Support sessions were also held throughout the week. The group also hosted Greg Phipps, a faculty member of the University of Louisville, who made a public presentation on the nature of homosexuality. Rob Hill became the first President of BFLAG.
2001 Des Moines, IA
Once more, BFLAG members gathered at the ACB convention. Members found mutual support as the scheduled informal discussion sessions were again held. The BFLAG Social, which was beginning to look like an annual event, took place on Sunday afternoon, and was widely attended.
2002 Houston, TX
The first Sunday of the convention was marked by the BFLAG Social. It was very well attended. BFLAG began meeting people from the Houston GLBT community. Several volunteered at the BFLAG social, and several became members. BFLAG's growth continued. Plans were made to increase programming at the next convention. Support and discussion groups were held as well. Rob Hill became the first past president and Connie David became the second President of BFLAG.
Our History
BFLAG gets a logo and uses it for publicity
2003 Pittsburgh, PA
2003 held several accomplishments for BFLAG. This was the year that the organization was granted its 501C3 status. BFLAG was also awarded ACB’s Membership Growth Award, in recognition of the largest percentage of membership growth in 2003. A banner was developed for BFLAG by one of its members, and BFLAG’s presence was noted in at least one Gay Pride Parade.
This year was also a year for enhanced public relations for the organization. A committee of the board developed lapel pins and other items featuring the BFLAG logo. Lots of local gays and lesbians were involved as volunteers who assisted with convention activities. A panel comprised of members of the local PFLAG members and other volunteers discussed various aspects of being gay or the parents of a gay child. There was also a presentation from a local community service organization serving GLBT persons in the Pittsburgh area. For the first time, BFLAG procured almost 100 volunteers for the convention thanks to PFLAG Pittsburgh and GLENDA (Gay & Lesbian Neighborhood Development Association).
Our History
First “BFLAG DAY”
2004 Birmingham, AL
BFLAG’s efforts to open a discussion with other GLBT-related organizations continued. BFLAG received grants to enable the group to cover the cost of a suite dedicated to BFLAG’s use. Volunteers from BFLAG and from the Birmingham community provided coffee and pastry in the suite each morning of the convention for all there to enjoy. The suite was the venue for other activities, including the, now-annual social, and support meetings for discussion of common problems.
The first major fundraising event for BFLAG was held at “The Club Atlantis” in Baltimore, Maryland. The proceeds helped pay for our suite and the food and drink we shared.
The mayor of Birmingham proclaimed the day of our annual meeting "BFLAG Day in Birmingham". A membership list for members who wished to be included was formed to enable members to be in touch throughout the year. Programming, at the convention, included presentations on financial management and housing issues. Non-ACB guests took the BFLAG banner and the publisher of the local Gay Paper promptly replaced it with a hand made larger banner within 12 hours.
Again, the local community made a large contribution to our successful convention.
Our History
BFLAG expands convention program
2005 Las Vegas, NV
We had much help in Las Vegas from the local community center and from the Lambda Business Association. BFLAG also provided speakers for 3 local events while in Las Vegas.
BFLAG joined with NABS, The National Alliance of Blind Students, to promote "Safe Sex" with a joint program. Our convention program saw activities every day of the convention with highlights such as a cruise on Lake Mead, a roller coaster extravaganza, an afternoon at "The Blue Moon", and a stage show, "An Evening at La Cage". We had well over 50 members attend the convention. Again, sponsorship assisted in keeping the cost down. For the first time, BFLAG T shirts, mugs and badge holders were available at the convention. In October of 2005, the BFLAG Board met for the first time in person outside of the convention city. The entire board met in Baltimore over a long weekend to plan for the future and also met with other organizations to build bridges to assist in growth, understanding and mutual benefit. Our relationship with PFALG was made solid and PFLAG is in the process of making their vast amount of literature accessible as well as promoting and assisting with BFLAG activities. BFLAG also met with representatives of CCLVI and ACB.
CCLVI and BFLAG started working on joint programming for the 2006 convention. In August of 2005 Butch Arnold became the third president of BFLAG when, due to illness, Connie David had to resign.
Our History
BFLAG takes its convention to local venues to gets more involved
2006 Jacksonville, FL
Thanks to P-Flag Jacksonville and P-Flag Florida our conventions grew. BFLAG joined with CCLVI on 3 program events, a seminar on coming out called “It Ain’t Easy Being Green”, a seminar on “Emergency Preparedness”, and a “Farewell Party. Thanks to Saint Luke’s MCC, BFLAG had a banquet, “spaghetti dinner” where we heard a historical account of MCC and honored Paul Edwards and Rob Hill with “Life Membership” The week also included a beach trip and an evening meal at “616”, a very friendly and supportive local bar. Once again we streamed our seminars and business meeting live over the internet. We had 54 members attend at least one convention event or another.
This year, BFLAG was represented in three “Pride Parades”, Washington DC, Baltimore Maryland and Houston Texas. The largest group of participants, by far, was in Washington DC. The group of about 10 members met both before and after the long parade for cocktails at “The Green Lantern”. Plans are well under way for the 2007 convention in Minneapolis. The Convention Committee met there for 4 days in November to lay the ground work.
Making History
A not so new Millennium
2007 Minneapolis, MN
The 2007 convention saw an increase in programming as well as many off site events. BFLAG members went to an amusement park, had 2 events at local bars and a banquet at the University of Minnesota. This year, BFLAG had its first benefit party and raised some much needed funds which were used to offset the cost of the convention to our members. A request to committee members was broadcast over the internet during our annual business meeting and members who could not afford to attend the convention joined in the day to day committee workings of BFLAG.
The early years
1996 Tulsa, OK
In 1996, the first of four annual gatherings of persons interested in issues faced by those who are both, gay or lesbian, and who are blind was held. These meetings were open to all interested persons. Attendees included sighted and blind, gay and straight, ACB members, board members and guest speakers.
The first gathering was informal. A room was set aside by the convention coordinator at the request of Rob Hill. It was announced only in the convention announcements and not in the convention schedule.
This first meeting centered on a discussion of our needs as a group, and getting support as individuals. There was also talk of forming a special interest affiliate. We made it clear that at that time, we were in no way speaking for ACB as an organization.
1997 Houston, TX
This year's activities reflected needs expressed at the ACB convention in 1996. Several conference calls after the convention were used to plan for future events and for discussing organizing a gay/blind group. During the Houston convention in 1997, a private suite was used for two social events. The first was a get-acquainted time and the second was a farewell party. The mid-week program session featured two invited presenters. A representative of the National Library Service announced a special project to be carried out in Seattle to produce book titles of interest to the gay community. She also brought large print and computer disk copies of a bibliography listing available through The National Library Service with lesbian and gay topics. The second speaker was the president of the Houston chapter of PFLAG. She told of her chapter's initiation of a program of education about gay issues that have had national impact.
The meeting was listed in the formal ACB convention schedule for the first time.
1998 Orlando, FL
The 1998 program session focused on discussion of personal and social problems faced by blind gays and lesbians. It was a time of mutual support. A guest from the Orlando gay community center told the group of activities and resources for gays in Orlando. There was again discussion of developing a special interest affiliate for blind gays and lesbians within ACB.
1999 Los Angeles, CA
There were 2 meetings at the 1999 convention. The Sunday meeting was to get acquainted with each other. There was much discussion among the 14 attending regarding BFLAG's requesting formal affiliation with ACB. On Wednesday, BFLAG hosted an attorney from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Center. Her job is to work with those who are victims of hate crimes and to advocate against such crimes. Some in the group reported incidents of harassment and assault related to their blindness. Those attending voted unanimously to move ahead to request formal affiliation of BFLAG with ACB as a special affiliate. The name of the organization, BFLAG, Blind Friends of Lesbians and Gays, was adopted and officers were selected. Rob Hill, as the President-elect, was to present the formal request for affiliation at the January 2000 meeting of the ACB Board of Directors.
Our History
A chartered organization takes form
2000 Louisville, KY
The year 2000 marked BFLAG's affiliation with the American Council of the Blind (ACB.) The ACB board approved the request for affiliation on February 20 of that year. The affiliation certificate was presented during the first session of the ACB convention in Louisville, KY in July. BFLAG During the week of the convention, BFLAG hosted an affiliate launch party. It was well attended by members and supporters. Support sessions were also held throughout the week. The group also hosted Greg Phipps, a faculty member of the University of Louisville, who made a public presentation on the nature of homosexuality. Rob Hill became the first President of BFLAG.
2001 Des Moines, IA
Once more, BFLAG members gathered at the ACB convention. Members found mutual support as the scheduled informal discussion sessions were again held. The BFLAG Social, which was beginning to look like an annual event, took place on Sunday afternoon, and was widely attended.
2002 Houston, TX
The first Sunday of the convention was marked by the BFLAG Social. It was very well attended. BFLAG began meeting people from the Houston GLBT community. Several volunteered at the BFLAG social, and several became members. BFLAG's growth continued. Plans were made to increase programming at the next convention. Support and discussion groups were held as well. Rob Hill became the first past president and Connie David became the second President of BFLAG.
Our History
BFLAG gets a logo and uses it for publicity
2003 Pittsburgh, PA
2003 held several accomplishments for BFLAG. This was the year that the organization was granted its 501C3 status. BFLAG was also awarded ACB’s Membership Growth Award, in recognition of the largest percentage of membership growth in 2003. A banner was developed for BFLAG by one of its members, and BFLAG’s presence was noted in at least one Gay Pride Parade.
This year was also a year for enhanced public relations for the organization. A committee of the board developed lapel pins and other items featuring the BFLAG logo. Lots of local gays and lesbians were involved as volunteers who assisted with convention activities. A panel comprised of members of the local PFLAG members and other volunteers discussed various aspects of being gay or the parents of a gay child. There was also a presentation from a local community service organization serving GLBT persons in the Pittsburgh area. For the first time, BFLAG procured almost 100 volunteers for the convention thanks to PFLAG Pittsburgh and GLENDA (Gay & Lesbian Neighborhood Development Association).
Our History
First “BFLAG DAY”
2004 Birmingham, AL
BFLAG’s efforts to open a discussion with other GLBT-related organizations continued. BFLAG received grants to enable the group to cover the cost of a suite dedicated to BFLAG’s use. Volunteers from BFLAG and from the Birmingham community provided coffee and pastry in the suite each morning of the convention for all there to enjoy. The suite was the venue for other activities, including the, now-annual social, and support meetings for discussion of common problems.
The first major fundraising event for BFLAG was held at “The Club Atlantis” in Baltimore, Maryland. The proceeds helped pay for our suite and the food and drink we shared.
The mayor of Birmingham proclaimed the day of our annual meeting "BFLAG Day in Birmingham". A membership list for members who wished to be included was formed to enable members to be in touch throughout the year. Programming, at the convention, included presentations on financial management and housing issues. Non-ACB guests took the BFLAG banner and the publisher of the local Gay Paper promptly replaced it with a hand made larger banner within 12 hours.
Again, the local community made a large contribution to our successful convention.
Our History
BFLAG expands convention program
2005 Las Vegas, NV
We had much help in Las Vegas from the local community center and from the Lambda Business Association. BFLAG also provided speakers for 3 local events while in Las Vegas.
BFLAG joined with NABS, The National Alliance of Blind Students, to promote "Safe Sex" with a joint program. Our convention program saw activities every day of the convention with highlights such as a cruise on Lake Mead, a roller coaster extravaganza, an afternoon at "The Blue Moon", and a stage show, "An Evening at La Cage". We had well over 50 members attend the convention. Again, sponsorship assisted in keeping the cost down. For the first time, BFLAG T shirts, mugs and badge holders were available at the convention. In October of 2005, the BFLAG Board met for the first time in person outside of the convention city. The entire board met in Baltimore over a long weekend to plan for the future and also met with other organizations to build bridges to assist in growth, understanding and mutual benefit. Our relationship with PFALG was made solid and PFLAG is in the process of making their vast amount of literature accessible as well as promoting and assisting with BFLAG activities. BFLAG also met with representatives of CCLVI and ACB.
CCLVI and BFLAG started working on joint programming for the 2006 convention. In August of 2005 Butch Arnold became the third president of BFLAG when, due to illness, Connie David had to resign.
Our History
BFLAG takes its convention to local venues to gets more involved
2006 Jacksonville, FL
Thanks to P-Flag Jacksonville and P-Flag Florida our conventions grew. BFLAG joined with CCLVI on 3 program events, a seminar on coming out called “It Ain’t Easy Being Green”, a seminar on “Emergency Preparedness”, and a “Farewell Party. Thanks to Saint Luke’s MCC, BFLAG had a banquet, “spaghetti dinner” where we heard a historical account of MCC and honored Paul Edwards and Rob Hill with “Life Membership” The week also included a beach trip and an evening meal at “616”, a very friendly and supportive local bar. Once again we streamed our seminars and business meeting live over the internet. We had 54 members attend at least one convention event or another.
This year, BFLAG was represented in three “Pride Parades”, Washington DC, Baltimore Maryland and Houston Texas. The largest group of participants, by far, was in Washington DC. The group of about 10 members met both before and after the long parade for cocktails at “The Green Lantern”. Plans are well under way for the 2007 convention in Minneapolis. The Convention Committee met there for 4 days in November to lay the ground work.
Making History
A not so new Millennium
2007 Minneapolis, MN The 2007 convention saw an increase in programming as well as many off site events. BFLAG members went to an amusement park, had 2 events at local bars and a banquet at the University of Minnesota. This year, BFLAG had its first benefit party and raised some much needed funds which were used to offset the cost of the convention to our members. A request to committee members was broadcast over the internet during our annual business meeting and members who could not afford to attend the convention joined in the day to day committee workings of BFLAG.