About 140 people attended a PFLAG Winston-Salem Interfaith Celebration of National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11. Photo Credit: Wade Boyles

The Winston-Salem chapter of Parents, Family and Friends of Gays and Lesbians (PFLAG) celebrated National Coming Out Day with friends and community in two events last weekend.

On Saturday, the group held a cookout in the city’s Bolton Park. Approximately 60 people participated.

On Sunday, the group hosted an interfaith worship celebration.

Around 140 people from various faith congregations gathered at Green St. United Methodist Church to celebrate the live sof LGBT people. Thomas Farmer, PFLAG Winston-Salem president, opened the interfaith service and spoke on the progress of LGBT equality in the city and Forsyth County.

Other speakers talked about the importance of being out and the continued fight for LGBT civil rights. Speakers included: Ms. Wilda Spalding, a Jewish cantorial soloist and interfaith specialist; Dr. Fleming El-Amin, a lay minister in the Islamic faith and educator; and Rev. Dr. Carlton A. G. Eversley, senior pastor of Dellabrook Presbyterian Church and professor at Winston-Salem State University.

PFLAG Winston-Salem’s Interfaith Coalition planned the event. Community members from various congregations throughout the city are represented in the coalition, including Wake Forest Baptist Church, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Trinity Presbyterian Church, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship and Green St. United Methodist.

Boyles

The group also hosted a diversity training and reception following the service.

— Wade Boyles contributed to this article.

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