56 years ago today, the last straw broke. After YEARS of harassment, violence, and arrests from cops, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn—including trans women of color, drag queens, and other LGBTQ+ minorities—fought back in a series of riots and demonstrations that would be the turning point for the gay rights movement.
Today, we remember our roots. We remember how our LGBTQ+ elders literally fought for equality, and how the rights we've gained throughout the years came from the voices and actions of our most marginalized. At PFLAG National, we proudly take the mantle of those who fought before us, and are STILL fighting for an accepting, affirming, and equitable world for our LGBTQ+ loved ones.
Let’s lead with love. Visit pflag.org/jointhefight to learn more.
06/26/2025
Today in history…
A mother’s love is an unstoppable force. 🔥 On this day, Jeanne Manford and her son Morty took to the streets at the 1972 Christopher Street Liberation Day March with a message of love, unity, and defiance that shocked and rallied the nation: Mothers and fathers IN SUPPORT of g**s. By standing as an ally—as a mother—Jeanne challenged the families of LGBTQ+ people, daring them to say, “I too will fight for my child.”
In the years after, a growing troupe of families and their LGBTQ+ loved ones backed the cause and coalesced into one unstoppable force: PFLAG National.
Love, protection, solidarity—these are the sparks that ignited and fuel our organization. Today and every day, we celebrate our founder’s incredible legacy, and channel her powerful mission to Lead with Love.
Learn more about our history at pflag.org/our-history 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
06/19/2025
On this day, 160 years ago, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to ensure that all enslaved people be freed, as declared by the Emancipation Proclamation signed a full two and a half years prior. This “Jubilee Day”—now more commonly referred to as Juneteenth—is cause for celebration as well as reflection.
The history of the United States is one riddled with battles for freedom, justice, and equality. Our African American loved ones, including and especially those who are LGBTQ+, still fight discrimination due to their marginalized identities.
Our PFLAG Connects: Black/African American Community offers virtual meetings for parents, family members, and members of the LGBTQ+ community who are Black or African American. To those seeking connection and understanding, visit pflag.org/events/black-african-american
PFLAG National is closed today to celebrate and honor Juneteenth. ❤️🖤💚💛
05/15/2025
Always…
Friendly reminder to our LGBTQ+ fam: You are loved! 🖤🤎🩷🩵🤍❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
02/18/2025
*****UPDATE*****
Hey Everyone, due to frigid temps this evening, we have decided to postpone the Candlelight Vigil to March. We also wanted more time to find out more about Sam so we can better prepare for a proper tribute. Right know we picked March 13th, but that's just a temporary date. Please keep an eye out for updates.
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The Board has decided to postpone our Third Thursday Monthly Mixer and have a Peaceful Candlelight Vigil to remember our brother, Sam Nordquist, from NY who sadly lost his life due to just simply being a transgender person trying to exist in this sometimes cruel world.
When: Thursday, Feb 20th @ 6pm
Where: New Braunfels Downtown Plaza (500 Main Plaza)
THIS WILL BE OUTDOORS, SO PLEASE DRESS WARMLY.
(We will still join at Santikos afterwards for a time of community to be together...but starting at 7:30.)
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Supporting the San Marcos LGBTQIA community.
Meetings held from 6:30-8:30 at Parish Hall at St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 3039 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, Texas
The idea for PFLAG began in 1972 when Jeanne Manford marched with her son, Morty, in New York's Christopher Street Liberation Day March, the precursor to today's Pride parade. After many gay and le***an people ran up to Jeanne during the parade and begged her to talk to their parents, she decided to begin a support group. The first formal meeting took place on March 11, 1973 at the Metropolitan-Duane Methodist Church in Greenwich Village (now the Church of the Village). Approximately 20 people attended.
In the next years, through word of mouth and community need, similar groups sprang up around the country, offering "safe havens" and mutual support for parents with gay and le***an children. Following the 1979 National March for Gay and Le***an 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. When “Dear Abby” mentioned PFLAG in one of her advice columns, we received more than 7,000 letters requesting information. In 1981, members decided to launch a national organization. The first PFLAG National office was established in Los Angeles under founding president--and PFLAG LA founder--Adele Starr.
In 1982, the Federation of Parents and Friends of Le***ans and G**s, Inc., then representing some 20 groups, was incorporated in California and granted non-profit, tax-exempt status. In 1987, PFLAG relocated to Denver, under President Elinor Lewallen. Also in the 1980s, PFLAG became involved in opposing Anita Bryant’s anti-gay crusade and worked to end the U.S. military’s efforts to discharge le***ans—more than a decade before military issues came to the forefront of the LGBTQ movement. And by the late 1980s, PFLAG began to have notable success in organizing chapters in rural communities.
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. The first lady’s personal reply stated, “I firmly believe that we cannot tolerate discrimination against any individuals or groups in our country. Such treatment always brings with it pain and perpetuates intolerance.” Inadvertently given to the Associated Press, her comments caused a political maelstrom and were perhaps the first gay-positive comments to come from the White House.
In the early 1990s, PFLAG chapters in Massachusetts helped pass the first Safe Schools legislation in the country. In 1993, PFLAG added the word "Families" to the name, and added bisexual people to its mission and work. By the mid-1990s a PFLAG family was responsible for the Department of Education’s ruling that Title 9 also protected gay and le***an students from harassment based on sexual orientation. PFLAG put the Religious Right on the defensive, when Pat Robertson threatened to sue any station that carried the Project Open Mind advertisements. The resulting media coverage drew national attention to PFLAG's message linking hate speech with hate crimes and LGBTQ teen su***de. In 1998, PFLAG added transgender people to its mission.
At the turn of the century, the national office of PFLAG began to also develop signature programs to support the chapter network and to raise the family and ally voice in the battle for equality. Programs like Cultivating Respect: Safe Schools for All, Straight for Equality, and the National Scholarship Program.
In 2014, the organization officially changed its name from "Parents, Families, and Friends of Le***ans and G**s" to, simply, PFLAG. This change was made to accurately reflect PFLAG members, those PFLAG serves, and the inclusive work PFLAG has been doing for decades. The mission and vision of the organization were also updated to further streamline and modernize the language, making it inclusive of everyone in the PFLAG family, while recognizing and celebrating the tremendous diversity of PFLAG’s membership, the communities PFLAG currently serves...and aims to serve in the future.
