Faith-based 'Always Our Children' helps families support all gay, lesbian, transgender children


Ann Franczyk, founder of Always Our Children in Springfield, visits with guest speaker Louis Mitchell during a recent gathering of the group at Sacred Heart Church. Reminder Publications photo by Lori Szepelak

By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD - Reaching out and educating the public on transgender issues was at the heart of a recent meeting of Always Our Children at Sacred Heart Church.

Always Our Children was started in April 2006 by West Springfield residents Ann Franczyk, a nurse practitioner, and her husband Chet, a pediatrician, based at Sacred Heart.

"Our purpose is to affirm gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their families as suggested in a document of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' of the same name, Always Our Children," Ann Franczyk said, during an interview with Reminder Publications.

Franczyk explained that she and her husband are primarily involved with educational outreach within their church and the wider community, while Kathy and Al Blanchard of Chicopee are responsible for planning meetings that focus on support.

On the evening of Nov. 3, the focus was on transgender individuals, which refers to any person whose gender identity or gender expression differs significantly from what is expected of them in their culture, and for whom this difference is central to their identity and/or a significant part of their everyday experience, and who uses the word transgender to describe themselves, according to Franczyk. Throughout the evening, teens and adults shared their personal transgender experiences in the hopes of enlightening those in attendance.

One of those teens was "Ryan," 15, from Andover. Despite the discrimination he has faced over the years, Ryan noted that since he has "transitioned," his outlook on life is "happier."

Ryan, with his mom "Susan" by his side, explained how cruel friends and family were at times and how suicide was a constant thought.

Susan added that she felt compelled to talk to this group since "reaching out to others" can make a difference in dispelling fears people may have. From her own experiences, Susan noted that following a "psychiatric quagmire" that lasted several years, she and her husband were relieved when a psychiatrist encouraged them to let Ryan transition to male.

"It was a relief to me as a mother," Susan said, "that I could now help my child."

Susan said that despite her efforts to educate her friends on transgender individuals, many "disowned" her family.

Today, Ryan is a freshman and is adjusting to the "rude comments" that still come his way. On a bright note, Ryan added there are some students who support him.

"We are on a spiritual journey that's not finished," Susan added.

California native Louis Mitchell also engaged the gathering by offering his perspective on transitioning from a woman to a man several years ago. Mitchell works at Tapestry Health in Holyoke on the men's health project, and soon will launch Recovering the Promise Ministries at South Congregational Church, 45 Maple St.

Mitchell said in his youth he knew he was "stuck" being a woman but "managed to make it work" until he was in his 20's. After bouts with alcohol and serving jail time, he knew he needed to find a "higher power" to help him "wipe the slate clean."

Mitchell said his watershed moment came while in San Francisco, when he met men who had transitioned.

"I knew I couldn't sit on the fence anymore," he said.

He credits his family's support, and in particular his mother, for the love and acceptance he needed to move forward with the transition.

"There is no secrecy," Mitchell said. "My family is exceptional and amazing."

Mitchell added that "being out all the time" is what brings him his greatest joy.

As the evening progressed, individuals asked questions of Ryan, Susan and Mitchell, and all willingly shared their advice and wisdom culled from years of personal experiences.

Franczyk closed out the evening by sharing that she and Chet are the "proud parents" of a gay son.

"We know only too well the fear, misunderstanding and ignorance which many individuals harbor against those who are perceived as different," she said. "We know the confusion which parents face when their child reveals their sexual orientation. Revelation by a child of their gender identity, when it varies from that of their birth, is particularly challenging."

Franczyk added that she and her husband have journeyed far since their son came out 11 years ago. Initially, they were involved with PFLAG, a secular organization for Parents, Families and Friends of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender persons, but realized that as Catholics, they needed to bring the conversation to their church which was how Always Our Children was begun locally. Franczyk also thanked both Bishop Timothy McDonnell and Msgr. George Farland for their continued support of the ministry.

"We are here to provide that much-needed support, education and affirmation to people of all faiths and backgrounds," Franczyk said.

All the speakers agreed that transgender people and others whose gender does not conform to rigid stereotypes are often harmed by harassment, discrimination, and violence.

"We have worked diligently to make our community, church and world more welcoming for our gay, lesbian, and bisexual brothers and sisters, sons and daughters," Franczyk said. "We feel no differently about the need to make the world more welcoming for our trans brothers and sisters, sons and daughters."

Always Our Children meets the first Tuesday of the month in the community room of the convent behind Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut St., from 7 to 9 p.m.

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