BROOKINGS – Mark Daniels, who has a transgender son, will be the speaker at the Brookings PFLAG meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28, in the Brookings Public Library. The meeting is open to the public.

Daniels has seven children, ages 8 to 28. His 24-year son Dylan is a transgender man who started transitioning a little over two years ago. Both Mark and Dylan were featured on the front page of the Sunday, March 17, Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

Being a licensed clinical psychologist, Mark has an excellent understanding of the issues transgender people go through. He is currently an advocate for transaffirmative healthcare in South Dakota.

Mark, who also serves on the Vermillion Human Relations Commission, is on a personal quest to get local businesses in Vermillion and the surrounding region to have “all gender” bathrooms. He succeeded in having the Vermillion Public Library, the Coyote Twin Theater, and the Vermillion United Church of Christ-Congregational to change their bathroom signage.

Mark, a Native American, was on the faculty of the University of South Dakota for 8 years, was a clinical psychologist for the Sioux Falls VA for seven years, and worked with Native youth with the tribes in Nebraska for three years.

Brookings PFLAG provides education and support for Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders in the Brookings area. For more information, contact president Teri Johnson at revterijohnson7@gmail.com.