PFLAG National (Parents, Families, and Friends of the Lesbians and Gays) has united with The Family Equality Council in urging members of the LGBT community to reach out to straight allies throughout Pride month.
Both organizations are suggesting that LGBT families seize the unique opportunity afforded by community Pride events, such as parades, barbeques, performances and street fairs, to introduce straight families and friends to the meaning of Pride. Informal gatherings, either organized around or in conjunction with Pride events, give friends a chance to open a dialogue about Pride, and about the joys and challenges of living within either a same-sex parent family or one in which one or more family members identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
Speaking about the interaction between LGBT families and straight allies, Family Equality Council Executive Director Jennifer Chrisler explained in a press release that, “although these folks are close to us, recognize our relationships and support our families, we often don’t share the other parts of our lives with them.”
Chrisler believes that Pride presents “the perfect opportunity” to show allies what Pride is all about, and why it matters.
“It’s also a chance for us to begin the conversations with them about why we need their active and continued support on our issues,” Chrisler added – issues like adoption and foster care laws, marriage and anti-discrimination and anti-bullying provisions in schools.
