“Learning With Love” PFLAG’s National Convention Comes to Nation’s Capital Oct. 19-22

October 11, 2023

WASHINGTON—Beginning Oct. 19, hundreds of LGBTQ+ people, families, and allies will descend upon our nation’s capital for Learning with Love: The 2023 PFLAG National Convention. For four days, people from across the country and around the world will hear from—and meet with—prominent leaders, including elected and appointed officials, community leaders, and journalists. Attendees who have pre-registered will also celebrate awards, attend educational workshops, and visit an exhibit hall of sponsors and partners.

“There is something wonderful about bringing together so many people who are working to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them—especially in this moment. Despite the noise and disinformation that seems to surround us, Learning With Love: the 2023 PFLAG National Convention is where advocates and supporters of LGBTQ+ people demonstrate that love truly is louder,” said Brian K. Bond, Chief Executive Officer of PFLAG National.

The biennial convening of PFLAG members and supporters kicks off on Oct. 19 on Capitol Hill with Sen. Tammy Baldwin and members of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. On Friday, Oct. 20, MSNBC’s Ali Velshi, (host of “Velshi” and the MSNBC podcast “Velshi Banned Book Club”), author Arvin Ahmadi (How It All Blew Up), American Library Association President Emily Drabinski, and Red Wine and Blue’s Head of Organizing Julie Womack will take part in a Banned Books Week-themed plenary, “Let Freedom Read! Read With Love to Support Inclusive Books and Education.”

On Saturday, Oct. 21, Adm. Rachel Levine, the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH, President of the American Medical Association will have a conversation entitled, “Courageous Love in Trans Healthcare,” moderated by writer, transgender activist, and military veteran Charlotte Clymer.

Additionally, PFLAG National will honor Dayton, Ohio’s Michael Knote of Have a Gay Day with the “Morty Manford Volunteerism Award.” Plus chapters representing north, south, midwest, and western states will be honored with PFLAG National Chapter Awards. These include PFLAG Westminster-Carroll County, Md., PFLAG Georgetown, Texas, PFLAG Great Lakes Bay Region, Mich., and PFLAG Fort Collins, Colo. PFLAG National will also proudly welcome leaders from international PFLAG organizations in China, Costa Rica, Lebanon, Lithuania, Moldova, Panama, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Canada.

Learning with Love: The 2023 PFLAG National Convention is sponsored by OREO, Meta, and Lyft, and takes place from Oct. 19-22 in Arlington, Va. at the DoubleTree Crystal City. This convention is sold out. Learn more at PFLAG.org/LearningWithLove.

First Lady Jill Biden Opens the PFLAG National Convention
On Friday, First Lady Jill Biden will address hundreds of LGBTQ+ people, parents, families, and allies attending Learning with Love: The 2023 PFLAG National Convention on the opening day. A stalwart advocate for education, Dr. Biden’s remarks will set the tone for PFLAG National’s opening plenary “Let Freedom Read! Read with Love to Support Inclusive Books and Education.”

When:
- Oct. 20 (3:30pm ET)
Where to Watch:
- youtube.com/pflag
Let Freedom Read! Read with love to support inclusive books and education.
Expert leaders will discuss what folks in local communities can do to support inclusive books and education in a year when so-called “education advocates” have pressed to ban nearly 4,000 books from school and public libraries—the majority of which are by or about LGBTQ+ people, Black people, Indigenous people and people of color.

When:
- Oct. 20 (3:30pm ET)
Where to Watch:
- youtube.com/pflag
Panelists:
- Arvin Ahmadi, author of How It All Blew Up
- Emily Drabinski, President, American Library Association
- Julie Womack, Head of Organizing, Red Wine & Blue
Moderator:
- Ali Velshi, host of “Velshi” on MSNBC and the MSNBC podcast “Velshi Banned Book Club”
Courageous Love in Trans Healthcare
In many states, trans people and their families, doctors, and health providers have to fight for the basic human right to access medically necessary care. Expert leaders in health will discuss the courageous love necessary to support trans healthcare in the face of disinformation.

When:
- Oct. 21 (12:00pm ET)
Where to Watch:
- youtube.com/pflag
Panelists:
- Admiral Rachel L. Levine, the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH, president of the American Medical Association
Moderator:

Charlotte Clymer, writer and activist

About PFLAG

PFLAG is an organization of LGBTQ+ people, parents, families, and allies who work together to create an equitable and inclusive world. We are hundreds of thousands of people and hundreds of chapters from coast to coast who are leading with love to support families, educate allies, and advocate for just, equitable, and inclusive legislation and policies. Since our founding in 1973, PFLAG works every day to ensure LGBTQ+ people everywhere are safe, celebrated, empowered and loved. Learn more, find support, donate, and take action at PFLAG.org.