The following message comes from Amanda, the 11-year-old daughter of Bud, our PFLAG Phoenix newsletter editor.  Bud had asked Amanda to write about what she thought of her father's involvement with PFLAG.  For those of you who don't know Bud, he is a straight, married father of three, who also happens to be a staunch Republican who strongly disagrees with his party's stand on gay rights.  Bud has no gay or lesbian family members, but does have a life-long best friend who came out as gay and whom Bud fully supports.  Bud is a great asset to our chapter, and we are proud to feature his daughter, Amanda, and her first writing about PFLAG:

I think PFLAG is a very kind group of people. They are with gay and lesbian marriage. I agree. I think the government should let gay and lesbian people get married. They are no different than any one else. They like their same sex. So what? They should have the same rights as us. Why should they be treated differently? There is no problem loving some one the same sex as you, is there? The answer is no. There is no difference. It is wrong for any one to be treated differently just because of who they love. Those who are being treated differently than us just because they are gay or lesbian should not be treated like that.

Parents should not dislike or hate their children just because they like someone of the same sex. How would you feel if your parents hated you? You would feel horrible. So why treat your kids that way? You shouldn’t. I think people should be treated equal no matter who they love. PFLAG is trying to get that for people. You should help them by not kicking out or hating your children just because of who they love. You should love your children no matter what. Do you know why? They are your children, that’s why.

Now do you still think that it is right to treat gay and lesbian people differently? If so, then you are wrong. Have you ever heard of freedom of speech? Well, people should be able to have freedom of their feelings. They deserve to be treated the same.