On September 8, PFLAG NYC welcomed a study group from LGBT Youth Japan at the Midtown Support Meeting. Founded last year, LGBT Youth Japan is a Tokyo-based organization of mainly university students and recent graduates who aim to raise awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues in Japan so that people “can accept and love each other for who they really are inside.” Around a dozen members of LGBT Youth Japan came on a 10-day study tour to New York City and met with a variety of LGBT organizations to learn about support systems for LGBT people and their families.

Visitors from LGBT Youth Japan with PFLAG NYC Members at the meeting on September 8

LGBT Youth Japan member Maki Kosaka organized the visit with PFLAG NYC, saying “We are especially interested in learning more about groups organized by allies of the LGBT community. We hope to learn more that will help bring allies and supporters to the LGBT movement in Japan.” PFLAG NYC has recently launched a new program, the API Project, that is working to help families of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) background understand and embrace their LGBT children and family members, so we welcomed the opportunity for a two-way exchange of knowledge. Read more »

It’s Our Anniversary!
Celebrate with us at the PFLAG NYC Awards Dinner on October 14

On October 14, the PFLAG NYC Awards Dinner will celebrate PFLAG NYC’s 40 years of commitment to making life better for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

A highlight of the gala dinner will be the presentation of the PFLAG NYC “Stay Close” Leadership Awards to recognize individuals who have made notable contributions to making society more understanding and to furthering equality for LGBT people. We are proud to announce the 2013 award recipients and look forward to celebrating with them on October 14.

Reserve tickets now

& Discussion on Gender Identity" width="570px" /> Read more »

Clara Yoon: "Everyone needs understanding and love from parents." — 부모님의 이해와 사랑이 필요합니다.

The API Project is a new initiative of PFLAG NYC to help families and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals of Asian & Pacific Islander (API) background. Clara Yoon, the founder and leader of the API Project, shares the background and goals for the group:

When my child came out as transgender a few years ago, I remember spending countless hours on the internet researching and learning about transgender issues. I also joined PFLAG NYC’s TransParents Project, a wonderful group of parents, and received much needed support and resources as I struggled through each milestone for my son’s transitioning.

Looking back, I know how fortunate I was to have these resources and support. Equipped with knowledge, better understanding and support from other parents, I was able to overcome my fear, anxiety and misconception to navigate through steps necessary to support my child in his journey. I cannot imagine how lost I would have been if I was living in some place with no supportive community and resources that I could rely on. Read more »

Jeanne Manford, the founder of PFLAG NYC and the pioneering mother whose simple show of support for her gay son launched an international movement of straight allies for gay rights, passed away at her home in Daly City, California, on January 8, 2013. She was 92. PFLAG NYC joins the extended LGBT community, including friends, family and allies, in mourning her passing.

It was Jeanne’s outspoken support of her son, Morty, during a gay rights march in New York in 1972 that led her on a 40‐year journey of outspoken activism for equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. In 2009, President Obama celebrated Jeanne’s work, calling it “the story of America…of ordinary citizens organizing, agitating, educating for change, of hope stronger than hate, of love more powerful than any insult or injury.” Read more »

Aundaray Guess is one of our most active speakers in the Safe Schools Program. He now has four years under his belt visiting schools with PFLAG NYC. A program manager at GMAD, Aundaray is also an actor and producer. If you ever see one of his Safe Schools presentations, you would immediately recognize his flair for the performing arts. Aundaray mesmerizes students not only with the drama of his personal experiences, but with his body language and facial expressions that make his storytelling vivid and engaging. Every student can feel what it is like to walk a day in Aundaray’s shoes.

Aundaray is a featured blogger for the Huffington Post, and his newest post is about his experience as a Safe Schools speaker. It’s been eye-opening for him, not only for the situations he encounters in schools, but also for his learning that PFLAG NYC is doing a whole lot more than he once believed. Here we share some of his observations. You can read entire thing on the Huffington Post. Read more »