A Mom's Conversation with Her Son About Growing Up Gay: VIDEO

It would be wonderful if gay children didn't feel the need to hide the fact that they are being bullied, or feelings about their own sexuality, and it would be fantastic if parents knew how to identify those things from the beginning, but it often doesn't happen, and I expect many folks will identify with this clip.

It is, however, quite beautiful that this mother and son are able to have this conversation years later.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Watch: Australian PFLAG Mom Fronts Marriage Equality Battle

Shelley Argent is a PFLAG mom who is nominated for Senior Australian of the Year. She has been a very public face in Australia's campaign for marriage equality.

Watch 10 News report on this outspoken mom, AFTER THE JUMP...

(via good as you)

Gay Rights Activist And First National President Of PFLAG Dies

From Adele Starr's LA Times obituary:

"Adele Starr, a Brentwood mother of five who overcame dismay at her son's homosexuality to become a leading voice for gay rights and marriage equality, has died. She was 90. In 1976, Starr founded the Los Angeles chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, a gay rights and acceptance organization known then as Parent FLAG, now as PFLAG.

In 1979, she spoke on the steps of the U.S. Capitol at a march for gay rights — a seminal event often credited with uniting a then-nascent movement. Two years later, she became PFLAG's first national president; she served in that capacity until 1986 and remained a forceful advocate for civil rights and, in later years, for the legalization of same-sex marriage."

Current PFLAG national President Rabbi David M. Horowitz issued this statement: “May Adele’s family be comforted at this time of loss by the history she created and with the knowledge that the struggle for LGBT on a national scale began with her."

Watch: Mama Wu, Superhero Mom to Gays in China

CNN profiles Wu Youjian (aka 'Mama Wu'), who is the head of China's PFLAG chapter and campaigns for parents to accept their gay children. Wu couldn't type until she was 60 but now writes a blog read by thousands.

Watch the story of this amazing mom, AFTER THE JUMP...

Rally Planned to Support Georgia Prom Teen Derrick Martin

A "rally for equality" is scheduled for Friday at 6 pm near Macon, Georgia's City Hall in support of Derrick Martin, the Georgia teen who was recently kicked out of his home after the story broke that he was bringing his boyfriend to prom:

 "The Macon chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is holding the 'rally for equality' at 6 p.m. Friday and says the student, Derrick Martin, as well as Deonna Sage, who performs in drag, will attend. The event is in response to two instances of anti-gay expression in Middle Georgia, according to a PFLAG news release...Friday’s rally in Macon is a chance to counter the opposition by showing support for Martin and appreciation to Bleckley County High School for making the right decision to allow the prom date, according to Edric Floyd, chapter co-president of PFLAG Macon. Sage, who performed during the recent Cherry Blossom Festival fashion show, faced harassment from a few people fueled by a radio talk show host, the release said. 'This is an opportunity to band together in support of our community and both of our members who faced public opposition for being who they are,' the release said."

Right-Wing Group's Secret Meet Against 'DADT' Busted by PFLAG

You may remember Elaine Donnelly. She's pictured here testifying at the July congressional hearings on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. She's seated next to Eric Alva, the first Marine to be wounded in Iraq, who came out of the closet in February 2007.

Donnelly heads up the right wing group 'The Center for Military Readiness' and called upon Veterans Service Organizations to attend a "a private, off-the-record briefing" in Washington D.C. on Thursday intended to strategize on how to prevent the repeal fo "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" from going forward.

PFLAG obtained the letter sent to the VSOs which reads, in part: "Given your organization's long-standing commitment to military readiness and the high standards and sound policy that promotes it, I hope I can count on you in joining CMR to defend the law regarding homosexual conduct in the military. We need to talk about what can be done, and why, face to face...Due to this issue's urgency, this invitation is not transferrable to casual observers, interns or other non-executive support staff. This PowerPoint briefing, which includes short video excerpts of the July 23 House Armed Services Committee hearing on gays in the military, will cover everything you need to know to provide the type of principled, engaged leadership that only you can give. I would welcome new ideas and commitment that could turn the situation around."

According to PFLAG's Steve Ralls, "The briefing, featuring CMR executive director Tommy Sears, will be held at the organization's Washington conference room, at 1615 L Street, N.W., Suite 650, on October 2nd from noon until 2:30pm."

Wrote Ralls iin the Huffington Post: "Thursday's briefing in Washington is a last-minute, last-ditch effort by Donnelly to try and curry some small measure of influence on Capitol Hill. To do so, she is likely to give VSO leaders misinformation, as she has done with the press and the public, in order to mislead them on the issue and attempt to win them over to her side. As polls of military personnel show that young service members and veterans are overwhelmingly comfortable and ready to serve with gay colleagues, she is attempting to reach out to the older, more conservative VSO membership to try and rally support for her cause."

Watch veteran and Rep. Patrick Murphy read Donnelly at the hearings in July, AFTER THE JUMP...

PFLAG Exclusive: Right-Wing Activists Plan Private D.C. Briefing on Gays in the Military [pflag]
Right-Wing Activists Plan Private D.C. Briefing on Gays in the Military [steve ralls - huffington post]