About Us

PFLAG Colorado Springs History

PFLAG Colorado Springs was founded in 1994 by fierce parents determined to support their gay and lesbian children to ensure their safety and fundamental rights. In the early 90’s, Colorado Springs was experiencing an influx of extreme ideology and anti-gay rhetoric which resulted in an attempt to change the Colorado Constitution by removing protections for sexual orientation, which became known as Amendment 2. While Colorado voters passed Amendment 2 in 1992, it never became law, as it was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1996, Romer v. Evans.

Local parents of gay and lesbian children withstood fear for their own families and started to meet in discreet locations, to speak out, to write newspaper editorials and begin the process of learning about PFLAG National. With support and advice from PFLAG Denver, PFLAG Colorado Springs officially launched.

While many of those original parents and families experienced public vitriol, the interest in the PFLAG group grew. These parents were committed to ensuring their LGBTQ+ children received the equal rights and fair treatment they deserved. The group increased its outreach efforts along with other local allies to engage the community in dialogue and action.

We are grateful to the founders of our chapter for changing hearts and minds during a challenging time in Colorado history. We acknowledge their efforts to organize when they feared reprisals from employers, family, neighbors and friends.

We continue to advocate for equality for all, and especially for the transgender and gender diverse communities and their families.

Meet Our Board

From left to right, Bill Oliver, Danette Tritch, Cindy Waldmann, Elaine Myers, Karen Stith, Kathy Gutnayer

PFLAG National History

Since 1973, PFLAG has been where LGBTQ+ people, families, and allies have come together in pursuit of justice and affirmation—and always leading with love.

It began with a letter that led to a march, which launched a meeting and birthed a movement of millions.

Since our earliest days, PFLAG has been linking LGBTQ+ people with community, parents with resources, and allies with tools, bolstering the LGBTQ+ movement with strength, power, and love.

Jeanne Manford marching with her son, Morty Manford, at the Christopher Street Liberation Day March on June 28, 1972.