[From the PFLAG-All email list...]

January 29, 2007:

Folks - this one is appearing in papers around the country today:


Dear Annie: The letter from "Heartsick Parents," whose 19-year-old daughter declared she was a lesbian, took me back several years to a time when I could have written their letter for them.

My 19-year-old daughter waited until she was in college to say, "Mom, I'm gay." I'd always considered myself a broadminded person, but I found out that I was broadminded as long as it was somebody else's daughter. I reacted horribly. I said hurtful things and snapped at her over nothing. One of the worst things I did was tell her to never bring "those people" (her girlfriends) to our home.

After a couple of months of the worst sadness I'd ever felt (seems so silly when I think of it now), I realized I would have to change or I was going to lose my daughter. I contacted a psychologist who told me about PFLAG. When I called for information, a man answered the phone. I gave him my name and poured out my whole blubbering, tearful story. After I finished, he said, "Lady, this is the Veterans Administration!". But I'd taken the first step toward recovery. I'd told someone and the world didn't come to an end.

The members of PFLAG took me under their wings and worked their magic, and now my daughter and I are closer than ever.

Bonnie


Dear Bonnie: We laughed at the VA story, but we know that call must have been hard for you. Congratulations on doing it right.

Ron Schlittler
Deputy Executive Director

PFLAG
1726 M Street NW, Suite 400
Washington DC 20036