Pride Month
The ALS Network welcomes anyone impacted by ALS to participate in our activities and services. Each June we highlight the many LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, and family members within our ALS community in celebration of Pride month.
Connect, Support, Chat: LGBTQ+
The ALS Network was the first organization to launch a dedicated LGBTQ+ support group. All LGBTQ+ people living with ALS and their family, friends, loved ones, and allies are welcome to attend this meeting which is held online every month on the third Tuesday at 1:00 PM PDT/10:00 AM HST. You can contact Daniel Potapshyn, Connection Group Facilitator, for more information.
Remembering a Historic Day in the Supreme Court
It was on June 26, 2015, that the U.S. Supreme Court made a landmark decision on marriage equality when they ruled that the Constitution guaranteed a right to same-sex marriage in all 50 states. The civil rights case, “Obergefell v. Hodges,” centered around two individuals within our ALS community.
John Arthur was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. In 2013, John and his partner of more than 20 years, Jim Obergefell, decided they wanted to get married. John was in the final stages of ALS, and the state of Ohio didn’t allow same-sex marriage. The couple raised $13,000 for a medically-equipped plane to fly them to Maryland, where they exchanged vows on the tarmac. Just three months and 11 days after they were wed, John died of ALS at age 48.
The couple’s focus was on spousal rights, which included for John to be listed as “Married” on his death certificate, with Jim as “Surviving Spouse,” and for both to be able to be buried in a cemetery that only allows descendants and spouses. Through a series of events, their case was consolidated with three others that were challenging state same-sex marriage laws, and the Supreme Court agreed to review the issue.
Watch how one family facing ALS helped fuel this historic human rights victory and be inspired by their remarkable love story.
My ALS Story - Karen and Terri
Meet Karen Knudson, and her wife, Terri Tachovsky. As an active person, Karen noticed she was having trouble holding her balance in yoga poses and experienced reduced agility during tennis games. She took up a friend’s offer to go backpacking, and found the symptoms persistently progressing.
A year later in 2019, Karen received the diagnosis of ALS. Karen and Terri reached out to the ALS Network for services and support. They were connected with a regional care manager, attended Walk & Roll to Cure ALS events, and participated in the LGBTQ+ Connection Groups.
Karen chose to conquer ALS on June 4, 2023. Terri and her family honor her legacy of advocacy and hope to inspire others to support the mission of the ALS Network and the many resources they provide to the ALS community.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Now and always, our values drive our mission, and our principles guide our vision. We recognize that every person brings a unique perspective and experience that can help advance the search for effective treatments and cures for ALS. Inclusion for all people impacted by ALS and advocating for equal access to ALS treatments and services is how we live our commitment to the ALS community. It is only together that we will end ALS.