National PFLAG: Proud of My Gay Son and PFLAG Condemns Misleading, Anti-Gay Campaign

National PFLAG Blog: Nothing More Satisfying
Of course I am proud of my gay son.
Carter, our youngest son, first came out to his friends at his middle school in Greensboro, NC, a little over 10 years ago. Then he wasted little time in telling his mom, who immediately told me. My wife and I were initially taken back, but not because he was gay. Our son, marching to his own drum beat, had demonstrated remarkable courage - not only to come out to his friends but also to his parents. We knew immediately that we were now on a ride that we were not quite sure we were ready for.

Fortunately, within a few months of Carter’s coming out, we discovered the Greensboro PFLAG chapter that met monthly on Tuesday nights. Greensboro PFLAG was very supportive to Linda and I when we needed them. PFLAG provided a confidential space for open, honest and confidential discussions, as well as education that we needed.

As parents, we learned how to support our son especially during his high school years. Carter was very definite about his sexual orientation and he was unknowingly breaking down barriers and stereotypes about being gay. I found myself along with my wife constantly supporting my son - going into his high school, talking with teachers and Carter’s principal regarding activities where it was related to verbal abuse from other students or misunderstandings how to respond to his sexual orientation.
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here is nothing more satisfying than standing up for my son. I am very proud of Carter and I would not want him to be any different.
PFLAG Blog:

I have been posting this series from the National PFLAG Blog because they are excellent. I also wish to let everyone know that we do have a local PFLAG chapter here in Western South Dakota. It has been meeting every week. It usually starts at 5pm with a gathering at a local eatery and then returns to The Center West at 7pm. This is a time when anyone can stop in and get information, find someone to visit with, or they can call an talk with someone on the phone. To call or get more information about PFLAG and the meetings here please call: 605-348-3244. Your LGBT kids need your support. Other parents who are new to their children's orientation need your help as well. (O.M.)


PFLAG Condemns Misleading, Anti-Gay Campaign in Support of Military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Law
Calls New Web Advocacy Site More of Same Tired & Disproven Rhetoric
Washington, DC – Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) today called a new campaign in support of the federal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law misleading, offensive and disrespectful to America’s military personnel. The online advocacy website, www.americansforthemilitary.com, was launched by the conservative Center for Military Readiness and urges voters to sign a Congressional petition to continue dismissing lesbian, gay and bisexual service personnel from the armed forces.

“It is outrageous that some in our country would answer the service and sacrifice of their fellow citizens by calling for them to be fired simply because of who they are,” said PFLAG executive director Jody M. Huckaby. “Ms. Donnelly has recycled the same tired, misleading and disproven rhetoric that has been used for years to keep too many qualified Americans out of our armed forces. All the while, an estimated 65,000 LGBT Americans continue to proudly report for duty in our nation’s military and keep Americans, including Ms. Donnelly, safe and secure. PFLAG supports all of America’s military and their families, including LGBT service members. No amount of shrill fear-mongering will ever change the fact that our country is better because of their service.”

Calling efforts to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” an “attack” on the armed forces, Donnelly calls for an “online Army” to support a continuation of the federal law, which results in at least two service personnel being dismissed every day. Despite polls showing that 79% of Americans support allowing gays to serve openly, the Michigan-based activist also claims voters have “insisted” the armed forces keep gays out of its ranks.

Meanwhile, retired, high-ranking military leaders, such as retired Joint Chiefs Chairman John Shalikashvili and Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy, USA (Ret.) have called for an end to the law, which is estimated to have cost taxpayers more than $364 million since its inception.

“Our national priority should be on the qualification of potential service members, not on discriminating against them because of who they are,” Colonel Daniel Tepfer, USAF (Ret.), a 23-year veteran who serves on PFLAG’s national board, said in a recent statement. “I know many stellar lesbian and gay troops who also served proudly, but who could not serve openly about their lives and their loved ones. Our national priority should be on the qualification of potential service members, not on discriminating against them because of who they are.”

“The best way to show pride in our troops is by saluting their service, not signing their pink slips,” Huckaby added. “This new campaign is not only disrespectful to our men and women in uniform, but it is also a disservice to their families, who also continue to be impacted by this unconscionable law.”