From: Heather Wright Subject: PFLAG News Release: Families Celebrate Grandparents Day Date: Tue, 7 Sep 1999 17:54:49 -0400 For Immediate Release: September 8, 1999 Contact: Eric Ferrero, 202-638-4200 x212 Families Celebrate National Grandparents Day By Honoring Elders' Support of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Relatives Some have gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered (g/l/b/t) grandchildren. Others have g/l/b/t children who became foster parents, adopted or gave birth to children of their own. Either way, increasing numbers of grandparents are accepting and supporting their non-heterosexual relatives - and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is paying tribute to them as Americans celebrate National Grandparents Day this Sunday (Sept. 12). National trends show g/l/b/t people coming out at younger ages, when they are more likely to have living grandparents. Combined with rising rates of g/l/b/t people becoming parents themselves, this means grandparents are facing issues of sexual orientation and gender identity as never before. And they are rising to the challenge, according to PFLAG. "We often hear people say they just can't tell older people that someone in the family is gay. They think that someone from another generation will not be accepting, or that's there's no need to come out to them," said Iris Blumenthal, past president of PFLAG Long Island. "That myth is out there, and it's based on reality in some cases. But our experience is that grandparents are often even more loving and more readily accepting of all that their grandchildren are." Blumenthal has a gay son, whose grandmother loved and supported him from the day he came out until her death. "Her immediate response was, 'We love Jonathan. What should we do to let him know that it makes no difference to us?'" Blumenthal said. Her mother then asked for contact information for the PFLAG chapter near her home in Greenville, South Carolina. "She attended to show parents and gay people that grandparents love and support their gay grandchildren." All across the country - from Tulsa to Miami, from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City - such stories are becoming common. Grandparents are joining forces with moms, dads, siblings, uncles, aunts and children who - through PFLAG - support each other, educate their communities and advocate for equal civil rights. As Lillian Wolfe, an 82-year-old grandmother who marches with her daughter and grandson in Dallas' Gay Pride Parade, says: "This has been going on since the world began. Certainly I knew gay people when I was growing up. People were afraid to talk about it then - and sometimes they still are. But it's getting better." Interviews with grandparents, parents and grandchildren throughout the U.S. can be arranged by calling Eric Ferrero at 202-638-4200, ext. 212. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families & friends through support, education, and advocacy. Serving nearly 77,000 members & supporters, PFLAG affiliates are located in 425+ communities in the U.S. 1101 14th St. NW, Suite 1030, Washington, DC 20005 . phone: 202-638-4200 fax: 202-638-0243 Email info@pflag.org Web http://www.pflag.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To unsubscribe from PFLAG's Email Alert, send an email, subject line "unsubscribe" to info@pflag.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~