pflagcenpa@yahoo.com P. O. Box 812 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Welcome
The family voice of a fair AmericaWe’re parents, family members and friends of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning (GLBTQ) people. We know how to educate a misinformed society about homosexuality because many of us were once misinformed ourselves.
With more than 35 years experience of building bridges of understanding about GLBT people, PFLAG is the family voice of love, acceptance, celebration and justice for people of all sexual orientations.
With lifetimes of myths and misinformation about homosexuality, many people don’t know where to turn when a loved one comes out.
PFLAG’s 500+ affiliates nationwide provide direct support to those needing answers to their questions. Confidential support group meetings offer a non-judgmental outlet for feelings. Meetings provide the truth about gay people through speakers, film/video presentations, book reviews and ongoing discussions. Those who initially come for help ultimately become those who help others.
PFLAG’s publications, available online at wwwpflag.org, address many questions asked by those who are on their journey to understanding and acceptance of a loved one’s – or their own – orientation.
Educating lawmakers with the truth about GLBT people and their family members and friends is crucial for public policy that is just and equal. PFLAG is active on issues of employment discrimination, same-gender marriage, hate crimes and education. PFLAG advocates for equal rights for GLBT people by meeting, writing, calling or e-mailing public officials.
Making a safer world for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning (GLBTQ) people and their family members and friends means dispelling negative myths about gay people. We do this through many projects, including:
Safe Schools – PFLAG carries out the commitment to safe and inclusive learning environments for GLBTQ youth by meeting with school educators and counselors to create awareness about issues our youth face.
Safe and Inclusive Faith Communities – PFLAG is not a religious organization, but knows that safe and inclusive worship environments are important to GLBT and those who love GLBT people. PFLAG reaches out to faith community groups, community religious leaders and congregations to encourage moral leadership in fostering tolerance and acceptance of a faith community’s diverse makeup.
PFLAG’s family voice has a rich tradition, begun in 1972 when a courageous mother marched alongside her gay son in New York City’s gay pride parade. She alone called on society to treat all of its citizens with understanding and to provide equality for all, and she has been joined by tens of thousands of voices over the years – both straight and gay – to make PFLAG the respected family voice on issues crucial to GLBTQ people, and their parents, families and friends.
ABOUT OUR FAMILIES
Gay people are everywhere
GLBT people come from families from all corners of the earth, from every culture, religious and ethnic group. One of every four families has a gay member. Rejection of a gay person by his/her family is a tragedy for each person of the family unit.
Their sexual orientation is neither chosen nor something they are taught to be. It is not “just a stage they are going through” or something that will change with “the right person.” The gay child is most often aware of his/her orientation at a very early age. For gay people, their orientation is natural and normal.
Both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association have long recognized that homosexuality is not a mental or emotional disorder. Both associations have also stated that there is no credible evidence that sexual orientation can be changed and that attempts at change can be harmful. Gay persons establish stable, long-lasting relationships and have families.