Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is an international organization that provides support, advocacy, and education for the parents, families, and friends of lesbians and gays. There are currently over 350 local chapters of PFLAG in the United States and around the world.

The Lincoln, Nebraska PFLAG Chapter was formed in 1981. There are currently 74 household memberships, and the newsletter, Spectrum, is mailed to over 400 homes monthly. PFLAG Lincoln-Cornhusker, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt, all volunteer Chapter of the International Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Inc. It is not affiliated with any ethnic, religious, economic or political group.

Because we love our children, our primary objective is to help families and their gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered members understand one another. We offer support, education and advocacy wherever needed. We are a self-help group who have accepted our children's sexuality and are trying to help other parents, families and friends do the same.

Support: Our primary purpose is to provide a comfortable atmosphere of openness where family members can share their experiences with others, feel supported and learn they are not alone. These informal discussions give parents the opportunity to see that gay sons and daughters come from all kinds of families. We offer support and discussion groups for youth, parents, and HIV issues.

Education: We work to educate ourselves first, and then to correct the misinformation that exists in American society and to replace it with facts. We challenge the distorted attitudes toward homosexuality that result from misinformation. It is important that society recognize our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered sons and daughters as healthy, productive and loving human beings.

Equality: We support full human and civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and we will speak out and act whenever necessary to defend their civil rights. Just as our non-gay children have civil rights, so must our gay children.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people are part of the family. One of every four families has a gay member. Our gay children have parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews whom they love. Rejection of a gay person by his/her family is a tragedy for each person in the immediate and extended family unit.

Being a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered person is part of one's total personality - like being athletic, artistic or left-handed. Our gay sons and daughters, like our non-gay sons and daughters, have been molded since conception by genetic, prenatal, psychological and cultural factors. Our gay children lead lives as diversely, or as routinely, as our non-gay children. We value all our children.

The American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association have recognized that homosexuality is not a mental or emotional disorder. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people share the same amount of interest in sexual activity as heterosexual people, neither more nor less. Lifestyles of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people are as varied as the lifestyles of heterosexual people.

General meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of every month (see calendar). Meetings offer a safe space to meet and share concerns with other parents, family members and friends of gays and lesbians, as well as gay and lesbian people themselves. A specific topic or issue will be the focus of each meeting. Special groups that focus on specific issues such as Straight Spouse Support Group and Under 21 Youth Groups also meet.

Membership is not required to attend meetings, but most of PFLAG's income is generated by membership dues and newsletter subscriptions.

Each person who attends our meeting has the right to expect the following protections and also has the responsibility of extending them to everyone else present. Remember... many persons come here at great personal risk and depend on our adherence to this policy.

• What is said at our meetings, as well as the identities of persons attending, is to be kept strictly confidential.


• No cameras or tape recorders are allowed at our meeting without written consent from the Board of Directors.


• Presence at our meetings does not indicate any particular sexual orientation.

A speakers panel is available for talks, workshops, and panel presentations to civic and service groups. Call our helpline at 434-9880 for more information.

Lincoln PFLAG maintains a lending library. The library has a variety of books both novels and non-fiction, covering topics such as: "coming out", books for parents of lesbian and gay children, political issues, the Holocaust, books for straight spouses, gay and lesbian youth, and books for younger children. These materials are available to anyone. The Lending Library is usually open during general meetings. Please call the PFLAG helpline, (402) 434-9880, for more information.

• Be Yourself: Questions and answers for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth.


• Is Homosexuality a Sin? Religious authoritative sources answer questions most commonly asked by parents.


• About our Children: Written in five languages, this pamphlet contains a positive statement to be shared with other parents.


• Why is My Child Gay? Eleven scientists respond to this question. Their answers are printed verbatim with brief descriptions of their backgrounds.


• Coming Out to Your Parents: Tom Sauerman, the father of a gay man, talks to gay and lesbian young adults about the process most parents go through when their child comes out to them.


• Our Daughters and Sons: Questions and Answers for Parents of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual People.


• Beyond The Bible: Parents, Families and Friends Talk About Religion and Homosexuality.


• The Next Step: Coming Out and Speaking Out as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People.

Membership information can be found on the Membership Information Page or you can download a membership form from our website. You can also obtain a membership form by calling (402) 434-9880 or writing PFLAG at:

PFLAG Cornhukser
P.O BOX 30128
Lincoln, NE 68503-0128