December 2, 2020
The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
The President-Elect of the United States
Biden/Harris Transition
Washington, DC 20230
Dear Vice President Biden:
As parents of LGBTQ+ children of all ages, we send congratulations to you on being voted President-Elect of the United States, and to Senator Harris being voted as Vice President-Elect of the United States. We also send special gratitude and salutations to our next First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden and to our first Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff.
Our organization, PFLAG, was founded by Jeanne Manford, a schoolteacher and fierce mom who took to the streets of New York City with a homemade sign, marched by her gay son’s side, and urged other parents to unite in support of justice and equality for their LGBTQ+ kids. Jeanne was the mother of the modern ally movement, and she was honored as such by President Barack Obama, when she posthumously received the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal.
Parents are the history and heart of PFLAG. However, in the nearly 50 years that we have been providing Support, Education and Advocacy, we have widened our circle to include families, allies, and LGBTQ+ people. We are united together in our work to create a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed.
Now, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Jeanne Manford’s birth on December 4th, we reach out to let you know that we share your goal of moving our nation forward, of healing the rifts, of working for justice and equality for all marginalized people—including our LGBTQ+ kids—and of having the challenging conversations to change hearts, minds, and laws. We come to you with the commitment, expertise, experience and, most of all, love that has held hundreds of thousands of families together, even during the most difficult of times.
As parents of every race, ethnicity, faith tradition, age, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression—representing more than 400 chapters across the country, 250,000+ members and supporters, and the entire PFLAG National Board of Directors—we commit to working with you and your administration in the spirit that Jeanne Manford set forth: Creating a country where equality and justice for all really IS for all.
Sincerely,
The parents on the PFLAG National Board of Directors:
Kathy Godwin, PFLAG National Board President
Liz De Jesus, PFLAG National Board Vice President
Susan Thronson - PFLAG National Board Vice President
Robert A. Marchman, Esq., PFLAG National Board Secretary
Marilyn D. Willis, ED.D., Board Member
Edith Guffey, Board Member
Kathy Martinez, Board Member
Aruna Rao, Board Member
Erin Roberts, Board Member
Stephanie Battaglino, Board Member
Catherine Hyde, Board Member
Marsha Aizumi, Board Member
Kay Holladay, Board Member
