Parents of LGBTQ+ Youth Get a Boost on May 22 with “PFLAG Parent Day”

Second annual event celebrates parenting people who organize and advocate for LGBTQ+ equal rights.

NEW YORK — Fifty years ago today, a mother’s letter to the editor was published in a New York City paper doing the unheard of: she denounced the harmful actions of elected officials against LGBTQ+ people and called for support for LGBTQ+ equal rights. On Sunday, May 22, PFLAG National celebrates the parenting people who continue that mother’s legacy and who rise up in support of rights for LGBTQ+ loved ones and for their communities with PFLAG Parent Day (PFLAG.org/ParentDay). This virtual, star-studded event starts at 2PM ET // 11AM PT. 

“It took an enormous amount of courage to be openly LGBTQ+ fifty years ago, and it took guts to be an LGBTQ+-affirming parent and school teacher then, too. But Jeanne Manford showed us not only that LGBTQ+ allies can speak up and speak out, but that they should. In a year when officials from the State House to the school board have criminalized parents of LGBTQ+ people, PFLAG National is proud to celebrate loving parents and caregivers who fight the good fight. We hope everyone who loves an LGBTQ+ person will join us on May 22nd to feel the love and to get inspired to lead like Jeanne did,” said Brian K. Bond, Executive Director of PFLAG National.

The second annual PFLAG Parent Day event will feature the stories of courageous LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, parents and caregivers, plus appearances by Big Freedia, Cody Rigsby, George Takei, Matteo Lane, MUNA, Tommy DiDario, the cast members from Hulu’s LOVE, VICTOR and many more to be announced at a later date. 

PFLAG Parent Day will also be an opportunity to contribute to PFLAG’s life-saving programs that provide support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people, their parents and families, and allies across the country. The live virtual event will serve as a touchpoint to engage and inspire advocates and allies who believe all kids, no matter their race, genders or sexual orientation, should be free to be themselves. 

This June 25 marks 50 years since Jeanne Manford became the mother of the LGBTQ+ ally movement. It is the day when she first marched alongside her son Morty in the Christopher Street Liberation Day March, bearing a sign to urge other parents to join her as advocates and supporters of LGBTQ+ rights. PFLAG chapters across the country will be harnessing this legacy to lead like Jeanne as they march and advocate for LGBTQ+ people during Pride month and throughout the year.

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