Public Policy Statement

LEGALIZED DISCRIMINATION

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays condemns the emergence of nationally orchestrated extremist groups that use selective Biblical text and other religious dogma to promote bigotry and intolerance against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons.  Some political and religious groups intend to deny our children, forever, the same basic protection guaranteed all other citizens.  With spurious piety, they seek the "special right" to force their definition of family and morality into the legal fabric of our constitution.

It is a deliberate falsehood to equate homosexuality with child abuse of any form, recruitment and depravity in order to promote religious-based discrimination against healthy and productive citizens.  This position is not supported by fact or by reputable scientific research.

Legalized mandatory discrimination dehumanizes both the labelers and the labeled.  Loving family relationships are threatened when some members are stigmatized and labeled "abnormal" and "perverse."  Our loved ones become the target of violence, suffer loss of jobs, homes, and even life itself.  Even the perception of homosexuality has exposed non-gay persons to harassment, violence and discrimination.  Preaching of falsehood and hatred against one group perpetuates hatred in new generations of children, leaving indelible scars in hearts and souls.

We adamantly defend the rights of our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered friends and family members to live in a society that accords them the same dignity, privileges and protection accorded all other citizens.

We are determined to end abusive policies and practices.  Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays seeks a just world in which all children receive understanding and equal acceptance and protection.

Adopted by the PFLAG Board of Directors on September 7, 1992, with revisions approved on January 15, 2001.