Dear John, My name is Jennifer, and I’m from Oakland, California. I’m a Board Member of the PFLAG Oakland/East Bay chapter and have been active in PFLAG for ten years. I have two kids, Veronica and John, and both are gay. When they came out, at first I was surprised and confused. But with some time -- and PFLAG’s help -- I realized I was the luckiest mom in the world, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.  At the time, I felt a little lonely and isolated, thinking I was the only parent in the world with gay kids. I had a lot of questions, so I knew I needed to take time to educate myself, and that’s how I found PFLAG. As soon as I walked into the room of my first PFLAG meeting, I felt a sense of relief – finally, I found other people I could identify with and who knew exactly what I was going through.
As a proud PFLAG Mom, I hope you’ll give a generous year-end gift to PFLAG National to help other parents find PFLAG, and the resources they need to support their LGBTQ+ kids.
When I meet a new parent at our PFLAG meetings, I see the confusion -- and sometimes pain -- in their faces, as they try to figure out what the changes in their family mean for them, and I feel a strong sense of empathy. It’s especially rewarding to have my daughter Veronica with me at PFLAG meetings, talking to parents with kids who have just come out, telling them everything is going to be okay, and expressing to them how much parental support means to an LGBTQ+ person. And in today’s political climate, as we see the progress we’ve made for LGBTQ+ equality sliding backward, I feel daunted but energized to fight even harder -- for my kids, and for millions of other LGBTQ+ people who deserve nothing less than full equality. Help ensure PFLAG is always there for every parent, family member, and LGBTQ+ person in every community across the country, by giving a special gift to PFLAG National today. Thank you for generously supporting families like mine -- and for your commitment to equality in the year ahead. Sincerely, Jennifer Dent
Board Member, PFLAG Oakland/East Bay |
