Members of PFLAG: Who are We?
Our members are the parents, families and friends of gay people --
lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender persons -- and they
say
"Gay people are our daughters and sons, our nieces and
nephews, our brothers and sisters, and our long-time friends. We have
learned that gay people are everywhere, in every time and place, in
every race, culture, religion and occupation. We know them as good
people who want to live healthy and productive lives, but who often
are looked down on by others.
"By knowing gay people, we parents and friends have learned
much about what it is to be gay, and we want to pass on to others
what we have learned. We support our gay children and friends, and
we work to create an environment of understanding so that gay people
can live with dignity and respect.
"We think that the rejection of a gay child is an unnecessary
tragedy. We work to help other families avoid such a tragedy."
Our members are also your gay children, brothers, sisters and friends,
and they say
"For us, being different is natural and normal. We are healthy and
sane. We were not taught to be gay. We were not recruited. Our
affectional orientation, our identity, and our sexuality are not a
result of the parenting skills of our mothers and fathers nor the
influence of our teachers; they are not a choice, not a lifestyle,
and not a sin. We cherish our families and want to be part of their
lives. We want to live in long-term loving relationships. We yearn
for a time when we will not have to hide or be silent about who we
are."
