From: Heather Wright Subject: PFLAG Alert: PFLAG Kicks Off Gay & Lesbian History Month, Honors Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 12:23:13 -0400 October 1, 1999 For Immediate Release Contact: Eric Ferrero 202-638-4200 x212 "Our national family movement started because of one mother's love for and support of her gay son, and today, a quarter century later, we are tens of thousands strong - still battling homophobia, still building support systems, still bridging communities." - Kirsten Kingdon, National Executive Director Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) PFLAG Kicks Off Gay and Lesbian History Month, Honoring Unique Role of Families, Straight Allies Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) kicked off Gay and Lesbian History Month today, vowing to honor its courageous founders and continue their legacy into the next millennium. Beginning today, PFLAG's web site - www.pflag.org - will feature a "PFLAG Pioneer" every weekday in October. The web site also now includes one of the most comprehensive histories of PFLAG, including interviews with the group's founders and their loved ones. "These are the unsung heroes in gay and lesbian history - and also in our nation's history," said Kirsten Kingon, PFLAG Executive Director and mother of a gay son. "Few people realize that PFLAG is nearly three decades old. Before Harvey Milk, before Anita Bryant, before 'Ellen,' parents began to organize. And today, we're the most organized grassroots presence in the nation for supporters of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (g/l/b/t) people." In 1972, a fourth-grade school teacher from Flushing, New York, marched with her gay son in New York City's Pride Parade. She was overwhelmed by the crowds of people who stopped her on the parade route to hug her, cry with her and talk to her about their own families. After the parade, her telephone rang almost non-stop with g/l/b/t people and their families. Within months, parents of gay people gathered for a support group meeting in a church basement in Greenwich Village. Within a few years, similar groups had sprung up from coast to coast, and parents were beginning to take to the airwaves in support of their loved ones. Support groups grew and flourished, and families began pioneering their unique brand of advocacy for equal civil rights. By telling their stories - simply talking about their g/l/b/t children and their families - ordinary Americans began changing hearts, minds and policies. "Many groups form an organization, then build a local presence. In PFLAG, we eventually had so many local chapters that it became clear we needed a central, national voice to maximize our work and take our movement further," Kingdon said. "As we've grown, our work has expanded. But, as is often the case, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Our focus has never wavered from providing support, education and advocacy." # # # 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 430+ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~