Nancy Johnson to Represent PFLAG on Pride of the Ocean “Films With a Cause” Panel

Nancy Johnson from PFLAG, Oak Park Chapter, will be a panelist on “Films With a Cause” sponsored by the Center for Independent Documentary.

Creating Waves of Change: Films with a Cause

How do non-profits and NGO’s like PFLAG or Amnesty International use films and short web videos to spread their messages, build membership and conduct outreach for their mission? House parties? Block Parties? Center Movements? Video feeds at Occupy Everywhere?

Have you ever been motivated after watching a great film to take action? Are you looking for a way to get involved? Join top filmmakers and learn how you can make a difference through grassroots efforts to promote content for a cause, and how you can be part of active audience after the lights go up.

Nancy Johnson (right) and Susan Stryker (left) at screening of "Screaming Queens"

Nancy Johnson is a long-time member of Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) having joined not long after her son came out. She and her husband interceded with their son’s college to move him off-campus from a dormitory where they feared for his safety. Johnson continued her advocacy as a PFLAG member and as a participant in various organizations and events over the years: 1987 March on Washington, AIDS Memorial Quilt Volunteer in Washington and Chicago, arranged a Quilt display at an annual meeting of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, testified before the Oak Park High School about a proposed AIDS Policy and later about inclusion of sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policy. She served on the Board of the Chicago PFLAG Chapter, and for the last several years till the present, she serves on the Board of the Oak Park PFLAG Chapter. Currently she represents the Northern Illinois PFLAG Chapters at the Chicago Transgender Coalition, and at the Chicago Task Force on Elder LGBT people.