PFLAG Pensacola

10/04/2026

09/09/2026

Grandparents change lives.

As we celebrate Grandparents Day this September, we're honoring the incredible role grandparents play in creating loving and affirming families.

Join us for Grandparents with Pride: Building Bridges Across Generations, a special Parenting with Pride webinar exploring how grandparents can strengthen relationships, support their LGBTQ+ grandchildren and children, and become powerful allies.

We have two special guests who will share their journeys and the lessons they've learned. You won't want to miss it!

Whether you're a grandparent, parent, or someone who loves an LGBTQ+ young person, we hope you'll join us—and invite the grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and anyone in your life who wants to learn more!

This free webinar will be on September 14 from 6:00–7:00 p.m. ET

Register today: https://equalityflorida.zoom.us/meeting/register/nnilcI9xR-O1yxiuEUKzKw

08/16/2026

🏳️‍🌈 GET TO KNOW OUR BOARD MEMBER:Day #5

RANDY CRAWFORD
Media Manager | PFLAG Pensacola

Randy Crawford is PFLAG Pensacola’s Media Manager, a mental health professional, LGBTQ+ advocate, and proud q***r dad of three.

After coming out later in life, Randy found his voice and a deeper passion for helping others embrace who they are in their own time and on their own terms. His personal journey has shaped his commitment to creating affirming spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals and families feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

Randy holds a BFA from Point Park University and a BS in Psychology from Ashworth College. He is currently pursuing a MSW at Walden University with the goal of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) serving LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and refugees.

He is a Certified Human Rights Consultant through the U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights.

Professionally, Randy works as a Screening Specialist at Lakeview Center and previously served as a case manager at Safe Harbor Psychiatric Transitional Facility. His background also includes assisted living, home health, and years of food service and retail management.

Randy is also an E-RYT 500 yoga teacher, former yoga studio owner of more than 10 years, and experienced private and group instructor.

Having grown up in foster care, later being adopted, reconnecting with his biological family, and exploring his Canadian and Scottish heritage, Randy has a personal understanding of identity, belonging, resilience, and the many ways family can be created.

He is supported by his amazing partner, Luis, who continues to be a strong support in raising their children together, pursuing higher education and being a staple in all of his growth and future endeavors.

At PFLAG Pensacola, Randy brings compassion, empathy, lived experience, mental health knowledge, and a passion for advocacy, visibility, and community connection.

His message is simple:

There is no expiration date on becoming who you are. Your journey and your timing are yours and you deserve a community that celebrates you. 🌈💙

08/15/2026

Board Member Highlight Day #4

Meet our Secretary - Heidi!

Heidi Siren (she/her/hers) is Secretary for the Board of Directors for the PFLAG Pensacola chapter. She has worked professionally all over the country as a theatrical costume designer for over 18 years; the past 11 of those she has served as the costume designer for the Pensacola Children’s Chorus. She is a part-time stage manager at the Pensacola Saenger Theater, a performer with the Blue Anchor Belles (a 1940s/50s “Andrews Sisters-style” vocal trio made up of spouses/active duty members of the armed forces), co-host of the podcast “Murder Moms”. Mom to 2 humans/1 dog/2.5 cats and wife to 1 local rockstar/up-and-coming author, Heidi loves rainbows, unicorns, karaoke, D&D, watching old movies at home with her family, and recycling.

08/15/2026

Board Member Highlight Day #3! Get to know us as we get to know you!
Meet… Vickie!!!

Victoria (Vickie) Saladino is a devoted advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and a proud board member of PFLAG Pensacola.

Born and raised just outside New Orleans in a vibrant family of musicians and artists, she carried her passion for connection and creativity with her when she made Pensacola her home in 2000 — and she’s been spreading love, support, and visibility ever since.

If you’ve been hugged at PensaPride, the Stamped Film Festival, Gallery Night, or any local q***r event, chances are it was Vickie. Since 2023, she has taken on leadership roles with Free Mom Hugs, helping build inclusive, affirming spaces across the Florida Panhandle. Her work has shaped events like “Hugs for the Holidays,” bringing warmth, connection, and chosen‑family magic to the community.

When she’s not advocating, she’s a management professional with a 20‑year career — but you’ll usually find her hanging with her husband, wrangling her teenagers, doting on her two dogs and tortoise, sipping coffee, watching terrible reality TV, diving into movies or audiobooks, buying plants she swears she has room for, cooking, or eating (mostly eating).

Vickie is thrilled to see PFLAG Pensacola’s incredible growth and even more excited to help guide its future. Catch her at a support group, game night, or upcoming event — she can’t wait to welcome you in.

08/13/2026

Board Member Highlight #2! Get to know us! We can’t wait to get to know you!

Laura Keith
Treasurer

Laura Keith King was born in the suburbs of Boston as the oldest of three children. Her family was educated, liberal, semi-functional (LOL), and she grew up with lots of exposure to music, visual arts, and theatre.

Her first volunteer gig, as a twelve-year-old, was organizing a fundraising “art show” which consisted of asking all the kids in the neighborhood to draw pictures, which she hung from clotheslines in her family’s back yard. Then all the neighborhood parents were “invited” to come buy their kid’s artwork back, for 10, 15 or 25 cents each. She proudly raised over $7.00 (a substantial amount in 1964) to contribute toward the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library and received a personally signed thank you letter from Jackie Kennedy.

Over the years she has worked as a manager of volunteers, advertising sales rep, elementary school teacher, executive director of an arts non-profit, and associate director and Executive Director/CEO of two chambers of commerce. She has also worked as a full-time portrait artist, specializing in classical oil paintings and part-time as a professional photographer.

She has a long history of volunteerism and board service, starting when she was a pre-teen. Over the years she has volunteered with (and/or done board service for) three churches, the Fresh Air Fund, NH Child and Family Services, MAPS Counseling Services, Dublin Consolidated School, The Well School, the Rotary Clubs of Peterborough, NH, Monadnock, NH and Milton, Florida, Arts 4 All: Florida, Santa Rosa Florida Master Gardener Association, Santa Rosa Democrats, Santa Rosa Arts and Culture Association, 50501 Pensacola, Indivisible Santa Rosa, and probably others she has forgotten!

Laura moved to Milton, Florida with her husband, Ed, in 2014 and between them, they have six grown children and ten grandchildren. She loves spending time with her daughter’s family in Pace.

Her paintings are often on display at Artel Gallery in Pensacola, and she continues to be very active with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola, where she sings and plays guitar, leads Outreach, and sometimes leads the Sunday Service. She served for several years with the Board of Governors, during which time she led the initiative to make the church an officially designated LGBTQA+ Welcoming Community, then served as President.

Laura is proud to serve as the Treasurer of the first official PFLAG of Pensacola, Florida, and tocontribute her organizational and nonprofit experience to assist the PFLAG directors in our efforts to make the world a safer, more just, and more loving place for all LGBTQA+ people and their families.

08/12/2026

Introducing our Board Members of PFLAG Pensacola! We are super excited to get to know you but we also want to take the time for you to get to know us! Over the next several days we will be posting a little bit about each board member so you can get to know the people behind our operations! PFLAG isn’t just an organization for parents or allies, it’s a community for all those who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community! We live and breathe Diversity, Equality and Inclusion by LEADING WITH LOVE! ❤️

Our first Board Member Highlight is Lee Poteat!

Lee Poteat
President

If we've met before, you've probably heard me laughing from across the room before you actually saw me. 😄 If we haven't met yet, I hope we change that soon.

I'm the proud President of PFLAG Pensacola, husband to an incredible man, and dog dad to five wonderfully spoiled fur babies. I’m also a self-appointed Papa Bear — the person who will always make sure there’s a seat at the table, a shoulder to lean on, and someone reminding you that you matter.

I love live theater, music, being near the water, crocheting, and just about anything that brings people together. My career has taken me on some pretty wild adventures—from performing at Disney and flying the friendly skies to now serving as the Office Administrator for the Theatre Department at the University of West Florida. I've learned that no matter where life takes you, people just want to feel like they belong.

That's exactly why PFLAG found its way into my heart.

Like so many people, I've experienced what it feels like to search for connection. I know what it’s like to look around and wonder, "Where do I fit?" I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself—a place where LGBTQIA+ people, their families, and allies could show up exactly as they are and know they're loved. What I found wasn't just an organization... I found family.

The people who inspire me are the everyday humans who keep choosing love, especially when it's hard. Parents learning alongside their kids. Volunteers who quietly give their time. People brave enough to live authentically. They remind me every day why this work matters.

As President, my dream isn't just to grow PFLAG Pensacola. It's to build a community where nobody has to wonder if they'll be accepted when they walk through our doors. I want people to think, "That's my place. Those are my people."

If you've ever felt alone, uncertain, or like you didn't quite fit anywhere, I hope you'll come meet us. There’s always room at our table, and this Papa Bear would be honored to save you a seat. 💙🏳️‍🌈

I can't wait to meet you.

07/24/2026

06/30/2026

It’s back-to-school season, which means we will see the direct impact of policy implementation across the country. Join PFLAG National for a conversation about advocating to school boards for supportive, affirming learning environments for all students.

Designed for advocates ready to deepen their engagement, this training will go beyond the basics to explore effective strategies for school board advocacy. Hear from national partners and experts, experienced PFLAG advocates, and the PFLAG National team about how to take meaningful action and strengthen your impact at the local level.

Join the conversation on July 23 at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT by registering today at https://pflag.org/onlineacademy

See you there!