Jim Andris, Facebook

PFLAG St. Louis

"Since 1973 parents have joined together in different cities to support each other and their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) children or family members. Our St. Louis chapter of PFLAG is one of the oldest in the country, founded in 1977 as St. Louis FLAG. The chapter co-founders were Art and Marian Wirth and Rod and Carolyn Griffin. Both families had gay children, and they desired a safe place where they could meet and discuss the feelings and emotions of a child coming out to their parents. They started meeting in each others homes, and when the group became larger, moved to a meeting room at Eliot Chapel in Kirkwood. BY 1981 the national organization was formed with the acronym PFLAG to include parents. Although members are mostly moms and dads, other supportive family members attend on a regular basis as well as friends who want to make a difference. LGBT community members also attend and appreciate the special acceptance of our caring parents. Everyone is welcome at PFLAG!" from the PFLAG St. Louis Website.

This article is yet to be published. However, there are pictures of PFLAG's role in Pride 80 and Pride 81

Rita Garcia and Art Wirth representing PFLAG at the Walk for Charity. Photo by Jim Andris

Sister Tobias and Larry Donnelly march with Dignity Art Wirth of PFLAG marches behind them. Pride 1981. Photo by Jim Pfaff, © 1981.