PFLAG Votes 2024: Get Out The Vote—Like A PFLAGer

PFLAG Votes 2024 is a robust voter-engagement initiative aimed at educating and mobilizing the PFLAG community—chapters, members, and supporters—leading up to the 2024 election. Join this learning session to learn more about how you can energize and unify LGBTQ+ people and those who love them to get engaged in the upcoming election. Together we can motivate everyone to come together and be a PFLAG voter. In this updated session we’ll talk about:

Review what PFLAG leaders should do to ensure that as many PFLAG voters as possible are able to cast their ballot in 2024

Discuss and reaffirm what PFLAG’s love votes for and consider what is truly at stake for our LGBTQ+ loved ones this November

Learn more about the realities of voting in the US and dissect some of the most common reasons people don’t use their power to vote

Consider ways we can advocate for ourselves and other PFLAG voters on election day

Katie Blair (she/her)

Vice President, Advocacy

PFLAG National

Katie Blair is an experienced advocate with a track record of leading numerous historic initiatives aimed at safeguarding and advancing civil rights. She served as the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the ACLU of Indiana for over a decade where she spearheaded the organization’s coalition and legislative work on issues including LGBTQ rights, criminal legal reform, racial justice, reproductive freedom and voting rights. In her role at the ACLU, Katie led the fight to defeat Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would have enshrined LGBTQ discrimination into law. Additionally, she spearheaded the fight against Indiana’s abortion ban and led the charge against the state’s most recent legislative attacks on LGBTQ youth and their families. She also created business advocacy and community engagement programs that have become models for advocacy organizations across the country. Prior to her work at the ACLU of Indiana, Katie served as the Director of Activism for Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Executive Director for the 51% Club, a political organization aimed at inspiring Democratic women to vote. Originally from Illiopolis, Illinois, Katie received her undergraduate degree in communication and her Masters of Public Health from the University of Missouri. She lives in Indianapolis with her wife, Megan, and their three rescue dogs, Stevie Nicks, Jolene and Sissy.

Patrick Cocharn (he/him)

Advocacy and Policy Engagement Manager

PFLAG National

Patrick joined the team at PFLAG National in May of 2019. He grew up in Annapolis, Maryland and went to the University of Maryland for his post-secondary education. He earned BAs in Government & Politics and in French, both cum laude, in 2017 and then extended his time as a Terp for one additional year to get his Masters of Public Policy. While in school, he served as an intern in several Congressional Offices, as well as the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. Before coming to PFLAG, Patrick was a program manager at the Eisenhower Institute. He was also elected Chair of the Virginia Young Democrats LGBTQA Caucus in April of 2019.