Just what is PFLAG and why does it exist? The paragraph above answers that in a nutshell, but how did the organization come into being? In 1972, at a gay-rights protest demonstration in New York City, Morton Manford was physically attacked, with police watching. His parents, Jeanne and Jules Morford, saw the attack on their son on the TV news! Their outrage turned them into activists. The next year Jeanne marched with her son in New York's Gay Pride march. Gays and lesbians came to her afterwards, begging her to talk with their parents. A small support group was formed the next year and gradually, over the next ten years, similar small groups sprang up around the country. By 1979 a network of the groups began to form; and in 1981 twenty-five members from across the nation gathered in Los Angeles for the formation of a National organization. They selected the name and established the first PFLAG office in L.A. under President Adele Starr. Gradually the group grew, moved for a while to Denver and finally to Washington D.C. where a permanent office and staff was established. Today there are over 80,000 members in 460 affiliated groups in North America. A few years ago the name was altered to include the word "families"; and the coverage grew to include bi-sexuals and transgendered person.

In 1981, among those twenty five courageous, charter-member, trail-blazers for PFLAG were both Harry and Katie Urbanek. Within the year Harry was transferred to Spokane from Colorado and almost immediately he and Katie began gathering a PFLAG group together in the Spokane area. The chapter of PFLAG Spokane has been active ever since.

In the 1980s, as the gay community and individuals shuddered under the pall of AIDS, PFLAG Spokane was a bulwark of strength, personal support and even sanctuary to both gays and their parents. Members have spent hundreds of hours in dissemination of accurate information on homosexuality, appeared before school boards, city council, the state legislature and even a National Congressional committee on behalf of the civil rights of gay and lesbian persons.

Among some members who have come to PFLAG and found peace and understanding for their gay child, there is strong sense of the need to stay on and help the next person. Though wonderful steps forward have been made, the political, verbal and even physical attacks still continue. We continue to need the help of all supportive persons. Are you one of them?