Dear PFLAGers:

Like you, I am watching the events unfolding in our nation’s capital today. I want you to know that this is as upsetting and horrifying to all of us at PFLAG as it likely is for you and your families. While I firmly believe we will come out of this a stronger people, I want to be clear: I believe these are acts of treason and terrorism. 

I speak on behalf of PFLAG to thoroughly condemn today’s violence. These actions were undertaken not to build up, but to tear down. And we cannot ignore glaring differences between the treatment of Black Lives Matter protestors seeking justice and the treatment of the violent insurrectionists who today stormed the U.S. Capitol to undermine our democracy. The people attacking the Capitol building are not protestors, and the disparities in how they were received are glaringly clear.

This is a scary time, and might very well continue to be for months to come. I am angry—we should all be. I urge all of you to take care of yourselves and each other, while continuing to safely stand up for our values and our country. We are an organization born out of advocacy and action for justice, this is what we do; PFLAGers are uniquely suited to rise to this moment.

As a glass-half-full person, I pray and believe that leaders and people who care about this country (some of whom have been complicit or silent) might also rise to the occasion.

With all our love and care,

Brian

P.S. To our loved ones in the DC Metro area, our hearts especially are with you, and we urge you to stay safe and sheltered in place.