|
What is PFLAG?
What is PFLAG?
PFLAG is a national support, education and
advocacy organization.
What does PFLAG Do?
PFLAG promotes health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgendered persons, their families and friends through:
1. Support to cope with an adverse society.
2. Education to enlighten an ill-informed society.
3. Advocacy to end discrimination and to secure equal rights.
How does PFLAG do that?
We have monthly chapter meetings where parents, families, friends and
GayLesBiTrans persons can find a confidential, warm and supportive setting
to talk, ask questions and find comfort and reassurance.
About Our Children
Gay people are everywhere
Lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people come from families,
from all corners of the earth, from every culture, religion, and ethnic
group, and are in every occupation. Kinsey estimated that about 10% of the
population is homosexual; gay people and their families represent over one
third of the people in this country.
Gay people are healthy
Both the American Psychiatric Association and the American
Psychological Association have recognized that homosexuality is not a
mental or emotional disorder. Gay men and women share the same amount of
interest in sexual activity as heterosexual persons, neither more nor less.
Lifestyles of GayLesBiTrans persons cannot be lumped into one category any
more than heterosexual lifestyles. GayLesBiTrans persons establish stable,
long lasting relationships, work for a living, and are consumers who pay
taxes, vote and are involved in the community.
Gay people are naturally
homosexual
Homosexuality is not chosen, like selecting clothes or a line of work. No
one knows how human sexual orientation is determined. In discussions with
thousands of families with gay children, we found that:
The gay child is most often aware of
his/her sexual orientation at a very early age.
None of the the children were influenced or taught by a gay person.
In homes where gay children try to become heterosexual, all attempts fail.
Being gay is not just a stage youngsters go through.
Gay people are part of a family
One in every four families has a gay
member, too often frightened and closeted. Rejection of a gay person by the
family is a tragedy for the immediate and extended family unit.
The Problem of Silence
The incidence of suicide is disproportionately high among GayLesBiTrans
teenagers trying to cope with their sexuality. Cruel harassment and even
physical violence are common against GayLesbiTrans persons. Because new
windows of understanding have been opened to us as parents and family
members, we want to bring this understanding to the community.
Where and When do we Meet?
PFLAG Riverside meets at 6:30 PM on the 2nd Sunday of each month at St George's Episcopal
Church,950 Spruce St,
Riverside, CA.
It is handicap-accessible. Click
here for map and directions.
|
Page
last updated 08/09/2006
|
|
