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PFLAG
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PFLAG
PFLAG is an LGBTQ advocacy organization founded and led by friends and family of LGBTQ people. PFLAG is a national organization presiding over decentralized local and regional chapters. PFLAG has over 360 chapters across the United States, with more than 550,000 members and supporters.
PFLAG (pronounced /ˈpiːflæɡ/ PEE-flag) was originally an acronym, standing for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (later broadened to Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Until 1993, the name was hyphenated as P-FLAG. In 2014, the organization's members voted to make PFLAG the group's only official name and drop the phrase for which it previously stood, citing wider advocacy for groups beyond homosexual men and women.
The organization was founded by Jeanne Manford and her husband after their son, a gay man and gay rights activist, was beaten at a protest in 1972. On June 25, she participated with her son in the NYC Pride March, carrying a hand-lettered sign that read "Parents of Gays Unite in Support for Our Children". Manford soon founded the organization as "a bridge between the gay community and the heterosexual community".
The first formal meeting of Parents of Gays (later PFLAG) took place on March 11, 1973, at the Metropolitan-Duane United Methodist Church in Greenwich Village (MDUMC – later the Church of the Village). Approximately 20 people attended. Rev. Ed Egan of MDUMC (1971–1977) was one of the founding members of "Parents of Gays." Parents of Gays continued to meet monthly at MDUMC until at least 1984.
The organization spread through regional chapters. In 1976, PFLAG LA had their first meeting of 30 parents. Following the 1979 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, representatives from these groups met for the first time in Washington, DC.
By 1980, PFLAG, then known as Parents FLAG, began to distribute information to educational institutions and communities of faith nationwide, establishing itself as a source of information for the general public. 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, Inc., then representing some 20 groups, was incorporated in California and granted nonprofit, tax-exempt status. In 1987, PFLAG relocated to Denver, under President Elinor Lewallen. During this time, PFLAG began advocating for lesbians and gay men in the military, where they were still formally banned under the Don't Ask Don't Tell rules. PFLAG expanded to new communities in this time, including rural areas.
In 1990, following a period of significant growth, PFLAG employed an Executive Director, expanded its staff, and moved to Washington, DC. Also in 1990, PFLAG President Paulette Goodman sent a letter to Barbara Bush asking for Mrs. Bush's support. Bush's letter was inadvertently given to the Associated Press, leading to significant controversy for its perceived support of PFLAG.
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PFLAG
PFLAG is an LGBTQ advocacy organization founded and led by friends and family of LGBTQ people. PFLAG is a national organization presiding over decentralized local and regional chapters. PFLAG has over 360 chapters across the United States, with more than 550,000 members and supporters.
PFLAG (pronounced /ˈpiːflæɡ/ PEE-flag) was originally an acronym, standing for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (later broadened to Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Until 1993, the name was hyphenated as P-FLAG. In 2014, the organization's members voted to make PFLAG the group's only official name and drop the phrase for which it previously stood, citing wider advocacy for groups beyond homosexual men and women.
The organization was founded by Jeanne Manford and her husband after their son, a gay man and gay rights activist, was beaten at a protest in 1972. On June 25, she participated with her son in the NYC Pride March, carrying a hand-lettered sign that read "Parents of Gays Unite in Support for Our Children". Manford soon founded the organization as "a bridge between the gay community and the heterosexual community".
The first formal meeting of Parents of Gays (later PFLAG) took place on March 11, 1973, at the Metropolitan-Duane United Methodist Church in Greenwich Village (MDUMC – later the Church of the Village). Approximately 20 people attended. Rev. Ed Egan of MDUMC (1971–1977) was one of the founding members of "Parents of Gays." Parents of Gays continued to meet monthly at MDUMC until at least 1984.
The organization spread through regional chapters. In 1976, PFLAG LA had their first meeting of 30 parents. Following the 1979 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, representatives from these groups met for the first time in Washington, DC.
By 1980, PFLAG, then known as Parents FLAG, began to distribute information to educational institutions and communities of faith nationwide, establishing itself as a source of information for the general public. 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, Inc., then representing some 20 groups, was incorporated in California and granted nonprofit, tax-exempt status. In 1987, PFLAG relocated to Denver, under President Elinor Lewallen. During this time, PFLAG began advocating for lesbians and gay men in the military, where they were still formally banned under the Don't Ask Don't Tell rules. PFLAG expanded to new communities in this time, including rural areas.
In 1990, following a period of significant growth, PFLAG employed an Executive Director, expanded its staff, and moved to Washington, DC. Also in 1990, PFLAG President Paulette Goodman sent a letter to Barbara Bush asking for Mrs. Bush's support. Bush's letter was inadvertently given to the Associated Press, leading to significant controversy for its perceived support of PFLAG.