As parents of gays and lesbians, we love our children unconditionally, despite the fear and prejudice of others who condemn them for who they are.

One Fountain Hills mother said, “My lesbian daughter has been in a committed relationship for three years. I love her deeply and unconditionally. She does not live a ‘perverse lifestyle’ and is not an ‘abomination.’ She is kind, compassionate, loving and has always been a wonderful person – and happens to be gay.”

Unfortunately, there are some in our town who misrepresent God by claiming that God is so obsessed with out-dated purity codes that not even God can pass the basic litmus test for parenthood: unconditional love.

Jesus had a special concern for those regarded as “outside” of God's care and created community where all are welcome in all their diversity. While Jesus seems to have figured that out, there are those, like Pastor Tony Pierce, Phil Robertson and Fred Phelps, who hide behind religion and threats of eternal punishment conflated with a warped definition of “love” to mask their disrespect of and prejudice against our children.

Thank God we have churches in Fountain Hills that define ministry in terms of whom they embrace rather than whom they exclude.

For a growing number of us, life is not about defending some kind of moral purity, but about proclaiming a love that removes all barriers that separate us from one another and from God.

PFLAG is proud to provide support and encouragement to parents, families, and friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and “Questioning” individuals.

Our monthly meetings are a safe and confidential place to discuss sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and be in conversation with others on topics concerning LGBTQ people and their families. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.