We're a volunteer-powered nonprofit rooted in the courageous legacy of our founder, Adele Starr. We’ve served the Los Angeles community continuously since our first meeting on March 8, 1976.

🌟 Our Origin Story
Adele Starr—an ordinary Jewish mother whose love for her son Phillip ignited extraordinary advocacy—established the first PFLAG LA gathering in her home after learning of his sexuality in 1968. Guided by Jeanne Manford’s model from New York and fueled by family support, Adele hosted that inaugural meeting of 35 people, birthing a movement that endures today.

📣 Amplifying LGBTQ+ Voices
Recognizing that support alone wasn’t enough, Adele took to churches, media, and public events to challenge prejudice. In 1977, she was named Grand Marshal of the LA Pride Parade, declaring: “This is only the beginning of our fight to save our children from bigotry.” She appeared on Good Morning America alongside her family, advocating for acceptance during the National Gay Task Force’s Week of Dialogue.

🛡️ Defeating Discrimination
In 1978, PFLAG LA authored "About Our Children," distributing 175,000 copies to combat the Briggs Initiative, which aimed to ban LGBTQ individuals from teaching—an effort instrumental in its defeat. The following year, Adele testified before city leaders to support LA’s LGBTQ non-discrimination ordinance, which passed overwhelmingly. In 1979, she also spoke from the main podium at the national March on Washington, asserting: “We are silent no longer!”

🛠️ Institutional Foundations
In 1981, Adele’s home served as the birthplace of PFLAG National. Convening leaders from 20 chapters and alongside Jeanne Manford, she became the founding president of Parents FLAG—now PFLAG National.

🤝 Continuing the Mission
We host 3 monthly virtual support meetings (General, Gender Focus, Español), an active Speaker’s Bureau, community events, and educational programming.

PFLAG Los Angeles

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PFLAG Los Angeles

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