Although being gay, lesbian or transgendered may represent a “shattered dream” from the perspective of mainstream society and unenlightened straight parents… it is by no means a life tragedy. Being gay represents but one facet in the multicultural spectrum of diversity which is defined as loving someone of the same gender- a human right …pure and simple. It becomes complex when society judges…. reflecting their own misunderstanding, discomfort, and bigotry.
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| The first people in history to demonstrate the power of self-help groups were alcoholics. Alcoholics Anonymous was started in 1935 to help “hopeless alcoholics” recover from alcoholism, something the medical profession had been unable to do…In the 1960s, civil right movements began to evolve in many developed countries, as people became aware of their collective power. These power-to-the-people movements provided avenues for the development of the self-help group movement In Japan; people who had come to enjoy a free society welcomed “the peak of circle movements” in 1955.
The concept of PFLAG began in 1972 when Jeanne Manford marched with her son, Morty, in New York’s Christopher Street Liberation Day March, the precursor to today’s Pride parade. During and after the parade, many gay and lesbian supporters urged her to continue her efforts and the first support group was created in 1973. The first formal meeting took place in 1973 at a local church. Forty years and five hundred PFLAG chapters in the US and over 200,000 members later…. The rest is history as they say… John & Becky Glezen began their personal journey when their oldest daughter, Sharon courageously came out of the closet and helped her parents pave the way to understanding. Long story short, although it was a rocky start, John & Becky have served as well respected advocates and co-facilitators for PFLAG –Hartford chapter and gay rights in Connecticut for 23 years. Ladyjustice had the pleasure to discuss the issues of this important topic with John and Becky on “Shattered Lives.”
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Related articles
- Shattered Lives: Activism for the Gay Community (imaginepublicity.com)
- PFLAG National Celebrates Historic Victories for Equality (prweb.com)
- PFLAG NYC Annual Gala to Honor Five-Time Tony Winner Audra McDonald for Gay Rights Advocacy (prnewswire.com)
- The Seven (Wonder)fuls of the World:In Life…and as it pertains to the Justice System Part I (herewomentalk.com)
- Ward 5B- San Francisco General Hospital (The First AIDS Ward) (donnagore.com)
Donna R. Gore 