In 1972, Jeanne Manford started an international movement when she marched with her son Mortie in New York’s Gay Pride Parade.

 

Enraged that her son had been beaten at a gay rights protest two months before while police did nothing, she carried a sign at the Pride march that said, “Parents of Gays: Unite in Support of Our Children.”

 

Her single voice– calling on society to treat all of its citizens equally and with dignity– sparked a national movement. Since then, tens of thousands of ordinary Americans have joined forces in PFLAG. With its unique family voice and grassroots network, PFLAG is creating a safe and just world in ways no one else can. Together we support one another, educate the public and advocate for equality. Just as one mother spoke out in 1972, we speak out today- united in our belief that all people are equal.

 

We, the parents, families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, celebrate diversity and envision a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Only with respect, dignity and equality for all will we reach our full potential as human beings, individually and collectively. PFLAG welcomes the participation and support of all who share in, and hope to realize, this vision.

 

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. PFLAG provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.