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PFLAG exists on two
levels: the national
organization and local chapters
affiliated with the national
organization.
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 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. |
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PFLAG's
Vision and Mission |
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PFLAG's Vision:
We, the parents, families and friends of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgendered 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 transgendered 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.
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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.
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Mrs. Elizabeth
Montgomery & Mrs. Jean Manfred
Pride Day Parade,
New York City, 1974 |
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