We see you, we support you, and we’re here for you.
We see you…
April 30, 2024
Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reaffirmed that gender-affirming care is necessary medical care, and transgender and nonbinary North Carolinians and West Virginians can rely on government-provided insurance, including Medicaid, for their vital health coverage, like every other American. 
Transgender and nonbinary people belong—in our families, our communities, our workplaces, our schools, and our country—and PFLAG will not rest until every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, affirmed, and loved.
Learn more at: https://pflag.org/…/4th-circuit-rules-for-gender…/
“PFLAG National applauds today’s decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to reaffirm that laws that discriminate in healthcare, that ban certain vulnerable neighbors from accessing care covered for others, are unconstitutional. Health care works best when you can get the care you need when you need it, whether you’re transgender or not.” – Brian K. Bond, CEO, PFLAG National
Lavender Graduation
April 12, 2024
The Rainbow Leaders Association with the support of the Texas Tech University Alumni Association, PRIDE Network present Lavender Graduation on April 26, 2024, at the Mckenzie-Merket Alumni Center from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. This event is open to all graduating Texas Tech University students.
“Lavender Graduation is an annual ceremony conducted on numerous campuses to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally students to acknowledge their achievements and contributions to the University. The Lavender Graduation Ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, a Jewish Lesbian, who was denied the opportunity to attend the graduations of her biological children because of her sexual orientation. It was through this experience that she came to understand the pain felt by her students. Encouraged by the Dean of Students at the University of Michigan, Dr. Sanlo designed the first Lavender Graduation Ceremony in 1995.” (The Human Rights Campaign, https://www.hrc.org/resources/lavender-graduation)
We extend a special thank you to PFLAG Mom’s Group from PFLAG Lubbock for providing and setting up the decorations for this event.
Join us at this special event to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating LGBTQIA & Allies community! All are welcome, and we are excited to celebrate you!
Rainbow Leaders Association is a registered student organization of Texas Tech University.
CONTACT: Rainbow Leaders Association, email: rainbowleadersassociation@gmail.com, or follow on Facebook and Instagram
Upcoming Meeting: Board and Committees
November 6, 2023
November 14th, 7:00 p.m., St. John’s United Methodist Church
Agenda: Board and committees reporting progress.
Welcome past and recent members
October 18, 2023
We are excited to announce that strategic planning is underway to restart the Lubbock Chapter of PFLAG. A special thank you to the hard work and dedication of our past President, Tony Thornton, and at-large board members for stepping up to restart our journey to promote the health and well-being of LGBTQ+, their families, and friends.
Following our last public meeting we have established our next steps:
- Under the guidance of Tony Thornton and other at-large board members, we are working hard to bring you our new leadership board members.
- Establishing our monthly public meeting schedule.
- Continue discussions regarding community service and outreach initiatives.
- Developing a plan to update our website, newsletter, and social media presence.
- Promote a renewal campaign for PFLAG Lubbock memberships.
PAST PRESIDENT Barbara FOSTER PAST AWAY
June 7, 2019
Barbara Lou Lambert Foster
Barbara Lou Lambert Foster, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 in Richardson, Texas. She was born April 10, 1938 in Lubbock to the late Lee Roy and Faye Lambert. She graduated from Lubbock High School in 1956 and went on to graduate from Texas Tech University in 1959 with her degree in English. She received her Master’s in 1978. While at Texas Tech, she was a member of the Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society. On August 16, 1960 she married William Thomas Foster, Sr. He preceded her in death in 1973.
Barbara started student teaching at Smiley Wilson Junior High after graduation. Her first teaching jobs were in Brownfield, Wolfforth and later Gallup, New Mexico. In 1974 Barbara became a social worker for the Department of Human Services for aged, disabled and blind in Lubbock. After working as a social worker, she got a job teaching in Fort Valley, Georgia where she taught high school English, speech and theater. In 1978 she returned to Lubbock and started teaching in Tahoka. Her teaching career consisted of a sponsor of UIL university interscholastic league and a variety of English courses to juniors and seniors. Being a single mother, she taught adult education two nights a week and helped many people in the community receive their GED.
In 1996, Barbara left the public-school system and started teaching in the Texas prison system. She worked at the Smith Unit in Lamesa, Formby Unit in Plainview, and Montford Unit in Lubbock. Some of her various roles were teaching adult education to inmates to receive their GED, spearheading the cognitive intervention program, which focuses on individual’s behavior and how to change. Barbara finally retired from teaching in 2003 and moved to Plano in 2011.
Throughout the many educational opportunities, she had, one of her greatest prides came in 1993 when she became PFLAG President of the Lubbock Chapter. She proudly brought her family to meetings and her presence was to support her son and to the LGBTQ community and their families, which she felt would educate everyone. She was an eloquent, powerful and influential advocate for equal rights and human rights.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Piper Dawn Foster Kiser and William Thomas Foster Jr., Son in-law Danny Kiser and her grandchildren, Nolan James Kiser and Harvey Daniel Kiser.
Memorial services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 8, 2019 at St. John’s United Methodist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be Janet Stuart, Mira Coulter, LaWanda Gust, Danny Kiser. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial be made to legacy cares
PFLAG Lubbock 
Written
on November 8, 2023