The idea of PFLAG began in 1972 when a mother, watching TV, saw her son being physically attacked at a gay rights demonstration. The police did not intervene, but the mother became an activist. This grew into a national organization in 1981, and now includes hundreds of chapters across the U.S. PFLAG has become one of the most effective grassroots organizations in the United States, representing thousands of families.
The Indianapolis chapter of PFLAG first met in March of 1988. Four mothers and a few gay sons and lesbian daughters attended. The next month there were 18, and we continued to grow. We now have a mailing list of over 200 and about 30 attend monthly meetings.
While support for families and GLBT persons remains our primary goal, advocacy is becoming more important in today's world.
Five PFLAG Activists
PFLAG works with the Indiana Youth Group and Youth and Diversity to staff booths at conferences for teachers and social workers. We hand out packets of information to help make schools safer for GLBT youth.
We have recently been able to make available to teachers and social workers a video, I Just Want to Say, about tolerance in schools.
Members of PFLAG are always willing to speak to various groups. We have gone to university classrooms, GLBT support groups and to interested groups at companies such as State Farm Insurance and Dow Agra. If your class, group or company would like to have PFLAG visitors, contact indypflagspeakers@yahoo.com.