Internationally syndicated advice columnist ‘Dear Abby’ was chosen to receive PFLAG National’s first-ever ‘Straight for Equality’ award at the PFLAG National Convention in Washington, DC. ‘Straight for Equality’ is PFLAG’s new program for straight allies who have no direct connection to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community, but who desire to help GLBT individuals achieve equality. As the person who single-handedly propelled PFLAG’s nationwide growth in the early ’80s (by a mere mention of PFLAG in her column when a parent wrote to her after learning her child was gay), and her continued support of GLBT individuals and their families in the ensuing years, there is no better deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
And, with Dear Abby’s latest public stance on same-sex marriage (she’s just announced that she’s solidly in support of same-sex marriage), being at the PFLAG Convention where she received her award and spoke in support of our families was a very special moment for all. Dear Abby continues to educate people who are alarmed at learning that they have a GLBT child that the problem lies with the person who is alarmed, not the person who is GLBT. We at PFLAG know that many parents and family members 
have initial reactions that are, well, less than desirable. PFLAG is there to provide support and education to these families so that they too come to learn that being GLBT is completely natural and is nothing to be alarmed about. Please join us as we celebrate the many years of support Dear Abby has given to our families and our community!
Pictured above are PFLAG National Executive Director Jody Huckaby, PFLAG National President John Cepak, and Dear Abby.
