PFLAG Phoenix: What Is "PFLAG"?

What Is "PFLAG"?

PFLAG exists on two levels: the national organization and local chapters affiliated with the national organization.

Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) is a national non-profit organization with over 250,000 members and supporters and more than 500 chapters, state councils and affiliates in the United States. This vast grassroots network is cultivated, resourced and serviced by the PFLAG national office, located in Washington, DC, the national Board of Directors and 14 Regional Directors.

PFLAG Phoenix is an independent, affiliated chapter of the national organization. PFLAG Phoenix is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, income tax exempt organization. PFLAG Phoenix shares the vision and mission of the national organization, and through our generous volunteers, works towards achieving and fulfilling both.

More about our PFLAG Phoenix chapter.

We're also proud
to be a
member of the
PFLAG Arizona
family!

Check out these new Arizona chapters:

PFLAG Lake Havasu

PFLAG Payson

PFLAG Sierra Vista

Why not start a chapter in your community!

PFLAG's Vision and Mission

PFLAG's Vision:

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's Mission:

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;
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.

PFLAG: How It All Began . . .

In 1972, Morton Manford was physically attacked at a gay rights demonstration in New York. Morty’s parents, Jeanne and Jules Manford, saw the attack on a local newscast and witnessed the failure of the police to intervene. Their outrage turned them into activists.

The concept of PFLAG began in 1972 when Jeanne Manford marched with her gay son in New York’s Pride Day parade. After many gay men and lesbians ran up to Jeanne during the parade and begged her to talk to their parents, Jeanne decided to begin a support group. Approximately 20 people attended the first formal meeting held in March 1973 at a local church.

In the next years, through word of mouth and in response to community need, similar groups sprung up around the country, offering “safe havens” and mutual support for parents with gay and lesbian children. Following the 1979 National March for Gay and Lesbian Rights, representatives from these support groups met for the first time in Washington, DC. In 1981, members decided to launch a national organization. The first PFLAG office was established in Los Angeles under founding President Adele Starr.

In 1982, the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), then comprising some 20 groups, changed from a federation to a membership-based organization and was incorporated in California and granted non-profit, tax-exempt status. In 1990, following a period of enormous growth, PFLAG hired an Executive Director, expanded its staff, and consolidated operations in Washington, DC. In 1993, the word “Families” was added to the name.

PFLAG Phoenix got it's start in November, 1978 when a group of local parents incorporated what was then called "United Parents and Friends Support Group", which today is known as "PFLAG Phoenix".

Mrs. Jean Manford marching with her son, Morton Manford
Pride Day Parade, New York City, 1972

The above caption reads
"Dick Ashworth, a founding member of Parents and Friends
of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) marching on June 3, 1974."

Mrs. Elizabeth Montgomery & Mrs. Jean Manford
Pride Day Parade, New York City, 1974