40 years later, formation of first PFLAG organization in New York remains a vital influence to Toronto’s LGBTQ community

Added by KJ Mullins on June 30, 2012.
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Local chapter, Toronto PFLAG, continues more than 21 years of demonstrating the influence of love through celebrations of Pride 2012.

 

TORONTO – Pride is a time when community and family should come together to celebrate. So in recognizing Pride Toronto’s 2012 theme, “Celebrate and Demonstrate”, Toronto PPLAG is proud to do both.

 

40 years ago this June, “Parents of Gays Unite in Support for Our Children” in New York City became the first of what are now hundreds of local and international PFLAG organizations, aiming to bring together allies of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in an effort to keep doors open, families together and love paramount. With precisely this in mind, Toronto PFLAG is proud to start Pride Day, July 1st, by hosting its annual Family Brunch from 9:30am to 11:30am at Pogue Mahone’s (College Street, between Bay and Yonge).

 

“Families from all over are invited to join as we celebrate before the parade by sharing a meal, a few stories and a lot of laughs,” said Toronto PFLAG President, Irene Miller. “For those whose family are not here, our many PFLAG families look forward to becoming a new family at Pride, everyone is welcome.”

 

After the Brunch, Toronto PFLAG volunteers wishing to join us as we march in the parade are invited to pick up a hand-made sign and a Toronto PFLAG t-shirt (no charge, but donations are gratefully accepted) from our booth on Church Street just south of Maitland. Signs affirming moms who love their gay son’s, grandfathers who love their lesbian granddaughters, and brothers or sisters who love their trans or bi siblings, are all picked up with great pride and emotion as we prepare to express one simple message: Love.

 

As Toronto PFLAG begins its march, year-after-year the awe-inspiring parade and the fantastic show of support is nothing short of amazing. From those marching in it to those watching, what PFLAG organizations represent has a remarkable way of leaving memories of love that are not forgotten.

 

Toronto Pride is an exciting time where individuals, parents, families, and friends alike come together to share in the excitement of a wonderfully diverse community. Toronto PFLAG is proud to be a part of the amazing Pride Festival celebrations, and there is always room for one more in our family!

One Response to 40 years later, formation of first PFLAG organization in New York remains a vital influence to Toronto’s LGBTQ community

  1. Maxwell June 30, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    I love PFLAG. With PFLAG, I know there is always open arms and hug for me.
    I have not been to the Chapter in Toronto but I have in other Canadian cities. If they are like all the other PFLAG Chapters, I am sure they are good.