What's New

WHAT'S NEW

FORMER PFLAG PRESIDENT STARTS
FIRST-EVER PFLAG CHAPTER IN RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

In the early 1980's Paulette Goodman learned that she had a gay son. She heard a public service announcement on the radio about PFLAG, and became the "founding mother" of the Greater DC Chapter. In that capacity, she organized a highly successful international conference in 1987, and the following year became PFLAG's National President. During her four years in that office, she reached out to then-First Lady Barbara Bush, requesting her support. Mrs. Bush personally replied with the first gay-positive White House comment, condemning intolerance against gays.

Since then, Paulette has remained active. In 2003, hearing that friend and fellow PFLAG mom Millie Spector was moving to the Riderwood Retirement Community in Silver Springs, MD, she followed suit. Millie says, "I told Paulette there must be a need for PFLAG at Riderwood, so we decided to see what we could do. We had our initial meetings in my apartment and soon discovered there was a lot of interest."

"As the community has grown, so has our group. We are now one of the most active groups on campus," reports Paulette. They receive materials from the DC chapter. In addition to holding monthly meetings, the chapter sponsors events coinciding with national debates, such as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and marriage equality. The chapter also co-hosted the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC three times. Each concert was sold out.
The chapter also has a direct impact on the whole Riderwood community. "There is no doubt some people have their minds set," Paulette believes. "But we've been able to inform many people and open lots of minds. There are many myths and misconceptions about homosexuality and gender identification, but we can change that. I think it really makes a difference to people when they realize that we are talking about our own family members. People are people, regardless of their sexual identification. They need to be respected and affirmed."

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If you feel the need for support, or for information about our chapter, please contact us (contact details in column at right). All are welcome at all meetings. We also offer telephone support (401-751-7571) to people not quite ready to come to a meeting.