True solidarity begins with creating sanctuaries where people can breathe, belong, and be fiercely defended.
True Colors: The Heart, Art, and Action of PFLAG Safety Harbor is an eight-page handmade zine documenting our local chapter: from the spark of Cyndi Lauper and Saint Wendy's fearless leadership to monthly family support circles, board games with queer elders, and taking joy to the streets as resistance.
Page 1: The cover
TRUE COLORS: The heart, art, and action of PFLAG Safety Harbor
A caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQIA+ folks and those who love them.
Designed by Adam Rye (adamrye.com)
Page 2: The spark
"THE SPARK.
For some of us, the spark started with Cyndi Lauper.
Picture it! Autumn 2002, Moline, Illinois. A CHER concert with the opener: Cyndi Lauper!
'I just kept reading these letters for the first time... people were talking about feeling horrible and wanting to commit suicide because they were disenfranchised from everything. From their family, their friends, their school, their job. And then they heard 'True Colors.' And I called my sister Ellen and I read them to her and I said, 'Ellen, we have got to do something.''
(Cyndi Lauper)
Fast forward to today: We are families, advocates, and fierce allies doing the work every single day."
Page 3: Meet Saint Wendy
"MEET SAINT WENDY: LEADING WITH LOVE + ACTION.
At the center of our chapter is Wendy Vernon: our President, Founder, and FLORIDA'S first official PFLAG Advocate.
Fierce Allyship: Whether Wendy is mobilizing the community to fight anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation, funding scholarships for legal name changes, or organizing community meals... SHE SHOWS UP.
Her tireless work earned her the title of SAINT WENDY, Mom for Equality, by the Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence."
Page 4: What we do
"THE SAFE SPACE: WHAT WE DO.
This is a safe space where all are welcome, supported, and respected.
SUPPORT: Monthly groups for families, wraparound support, and our Annual Family Pride Picnic.
EDUCATION: Clinics on gender-affirming care, name changes, and workshops on navigating life as an LGBTQIA+ family.
ADVOCACY: From local school board meetings to tracking legislation at the Capitol, we amplify voices where it matters most."
Page 5: Our beautiful community
"OUR BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY: More than a meeting, it is FAMILY.
You will see:
Older trans folks laughing over crafts and meals with the youngest generation.
Parents of gender-expansive children finding the answers and comfort they need.
Ant (they/them) bringing the 'nerdiest,' best tabletop games and patiently explaining the rules over laughter.
Lindsey (he/they) playing and bonding with the little ones over Pokemon cards.
Oliver, a middle schooler, running up with arms wide open for the biggest hug."
Page 6: Joy as resistance
"JOY AS RESISTANCE: Showing up for each other.
Sometimes advocacy looks like protesting anti-DEI policies at Pride at the Capitol in Tallahassee with Equality Florida and our local drag queens.
Sometimes it looks like raising funds for friends and abuelas who need to leave the country to protect their trans children and family.
And sometimes? It looks like Jules (she/they), Lindsey, and Skyler (he/they) dressing up in massive inflatable costumes and trick-or-treating through St. Pete with a family of little ones, bringing the safety lights and the humor."
Page 7: No limits
"NO LIMITS: Planting the seeds.
When we come together, lives change.
It is a profound joy to see nonbinary kids looking up to the adults and elders, wearing whatever makes them feel like them.
We are planting the seeds in the littlest ones: there are no limits, gender is a construct, and they are PERFECT as they are.
This is how we support each other... in the ways we needed when we were kids."
Page 8: Join the family
"JOIN THE FAMILY!
We have so many exciting things going on! Be the first to find out.
Reach out:
Wendy (she/her), President: wendy@pflagsafetyharbor.org
Lara (she/her), Treasurer: lara@pflagsafetyharbor.org
Joe (he/him), Secretary: joe@pflagsafetyharbor.org
Get involved:
Groups: pflagsafetyharbor.org/groups
Events: pflagsafetyharbor.org/event-details
Instagram: @pflagsafetyharbor”
Behind the zine
I created True Colors for PFLAG Safety Harbor to capture the warmth, protection, and fierce mutual aid that happens inside our chapter every single month. When state politics try to isolate queer youth and frighten parents, showing up with food, games, legal clinics, and radical joy is how we keep each other safe.
On a deeply personal level, I created this zine because I found so much love and family here. From Allison and Dan and their three amazing kids, to Lindsey and Jules, to Wendy, Jenn, her husband, and their kid Sheamus. I get to see my friends Shannon and T Nurse, and Devika and I get to make space for art nights together.
For someone who spent years navigating isolation and conditional belonging, having this circle has been genuinely life-giving. This zine is my thank-you to the people who built this table, and an open invitation to anyone still looking for their people to come sit with us.
Physical copies are printed in limited batches and distributed in person at PFLAG meetings, local family picnics, and community advocacy events across northern Pinellas County.
