Dear PFLAG Family and Friends,
There has been much talk in recent months about what progressive Americans can do to impact change in "red state" America. This month, PFLAG families and supporters answer that question in meaningful ways as we continue our work to move equality forward in every community.
During the past few weeks, our
Oklahoma City chapter has taken the lead in fostering an important conversation about family values, our GLBT loved ones and the power of speaking up. Responding to recent remarks by State Representative Sally Kern, calling gay Americans a "cancer" that "is just destroying this nation," chapter president Rev. Loyce Newton-Edwards organized
a peaceful demonstration in the state capitol to call attention to Kern's statement and its impact on her constituents, and the entire country. More than 350 PFLAG supporters gathered for a respectful and inspirational protest in the capitol rotunda. They sang, they prayed and they asked Kern to hear the stories of GLBT Oklahomans who make important contributions to the community each and every day. (You can see video of the rally
here, and find links to press coverage on the Kern rally and meeting
here,
here and
here.)
Kern responded, granting the first meeting with a pro-GLBT or allied organization to PFLAG.
In that conversation,
Kern showed a respectful willingness to hear our concerns. And while she has unfortunately now stepped back from considering future meetings with Oklahoma families (
be sure to read PFLAG's response), there is no doubt that she will long remember the PFLAG supporters who told moving stories about their GLBT loved ones . . . the harmful impact of her comparison of gays to "the biggest threat our nation has" . . . and the importance of considering every family, and every Oklahoman, in her work as a public servant.
PFLAG's work to call out Kern, and our chapter's courage in speaking up, were, as
one commenter on a blog noted last week, "audacious and hopeful."
We know, as we head into a crucial election season, that it will take the leadership of our chapters, members and supporters to educate Americans about why GLBT issues are so important. And all of us at PFLAG will remember the stellar example of our Oklahoma City chapter as we continue our voter education work heading into November. Because when our country talks about family values, we must insist that they remember our families, too.
And here is some of other work PFLAG has been doing during the past month, too:
Moving Equality Forward on the High Seas. PFLAG's leadership team was joined by national president John Cepek, vice president Mike Neubecker, board members Rebecca Shiff and Dave Parker, Regional Director Marcie Mathis and several PFLAG members from across the country as we set sail with
R Family Vacations for a moving and inspirational journey with diverse families from across the country. We were also joined by the amazing Cyndi Lauper - an original endorser of PFLAG's
Straight for Equality pledge - who entertained the masses and reminded us all of the importance of the work we do every day.
As Haviland Stillwell
pointed out on her blog about the cruise, "Cyndi spoke about PFLAG, and how important it is for everyone to stand up for equal rights, especially those who are not personally fighting for them. This is a Civil Rights Movement, she said, and it's most important for those people who are not facing the discrimination to stand up for those who are."
Award-winning actress Sharon Gless, of
Cagney & Lacey, The Trials of Rosie O'Neill and
Queer as Folk, took Cyndi's message to heart and also signed the
Straight for Equality pledge while we were onboard.
Hitting the Road with Cyndi Lauper. PFLAG is proud to be an official sponsor of this summer's
True Colors tour, with Cyndi Lauper, The B'52s and a stellar line-up of other entertainers. As the tour criss-crosses the country, reminding Americans about the importance of voting this November, PFLAG chapters will also be at many of those stops, educating concert-goers about our work, our families and our
2008 Get-Out-the-Vote campaign.
Make plans to join Cyndi and PFLAG this summer! Tickets for the
True Colors tour are
on sale now.
Remembering Ric Weiland. PFLAG was honored to be
one of ten organizations designated by philanthropist and Microsoft pioneer Ric Weiland to receive a generous bequest in support of our work. Through his estate, Weiland established a trust that will provide $46 million, over the next decade, to organizations working for equality. In addition, he bequeathed $19 million to be used for scholarships and grants supporting the Northwest GLBT community.
Weiland's gift is an enduring legacy of fairness and respect for every family, and all of us at PFLAG are committed to honoring his memory by pushing for change and making a difference. For more information on how you can remember PFLAG in your will, contact our director of development, Christopher Vance, at
cvance@pflag.org.
Telling Our Stories. PFLAG supporters continue to educate the public about why our work is so important by telling their own stories of becoming allies in our movement. Last week, PFLAG dad Robert Bernstein wrote
a moving op-ed in The Washington Blade explaining his own journey.
"My conversion to gay activism - on behalf of family values, as it were - took place more than 20 years ago," Bernstein writes. "But the experience has taken on new poignancy in light of today's passionate objections to gay equality on purported moral and religious grounds."
You can read Bob's full article
online here.
From all of us at PFLAG, thank you for your continued support. And to stay up-to-date on our work, remember to visit the PFLAG website, at
www.pflag.org.
Let's all remain committed to using our unique PFLAG voices as we work to move Equality Forward!
PFLAG in the News Here are some recent news stories featuring local PFLAG chapters as well as the National Office: