San Francisco, CA - The almost 100,000 Hispanic residents of San Francisco can now benefit from having the first Spanish Chapter of PFLAG. In response to the demand of the Spanish speaking community, the Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays organization offers its services to Spanish speaking residents of the Bay Area.

PFLAG has been helping families and friends of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender people for over 25 years. The organization had its beginning in 1972 when Morton Manford was physically attacked during a gay civil rights demonstration in New York City. His parents, Jeanne and Jules Manford, witnessed the attack on television and were outraged at the police's failure to intervene. They decided to become activists as a result.

The group had its first meeting with 20 people in attendance in 1973. Today PFLAG has over 450 domestic and international affiliates.

PFLAG en Espaņol began meeting Sunday, August 12, 2001. Since then, the group has met every second Sunday of the month. The meetings last approximately two hours. They currently take place at St. Francis Lutheran Church located at 152 Church Street. Meetings begin at 1:45 p.m. Family, friends and/or gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender individuals are invited to attend.

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through support, to cope with and adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.