Press Release: PDF Version | PFLAG Parents Quotes: PDF Version
Atlanta chapter of nonprofit organization to honor local parents, teachers, students and nonprofits
ATLANTA, GA, May 22 2012 – PFLAG Atlanta will celebrate 26 years of service to Atlanta’s LGBTQ community, their parents, families and friends with a gala awards dinner on Saturday June 23, 2012 at an expansive refurbished warehouse in the Buckhead/Midtown area. The event, entitled Out with the Stars, will also honor the ‘stars’ – local parents, teachers, students and nonprofits that are doing outstanding work to advance equality and acceptance in Atlanta.
“HRC and other advocacy organizations do a great job of helping change the law; PFLAG’s job is to help change hearts. We do this by being visible in our communities as straight parents, teachers, friends, family and co-workers who love and fully support our LGBT sons, daughters and friends. There are teachers making their classrooms and hallways bullying-free zones, parents starting PFLAG support groups in their neighborhoods, LGBT students working with their straight friends in school to start gay straight alliances (GSAs). This event is our chance to say ‘Thank you’ to them for all they do”, says Conal Charles, the Co-President of PFLAG Atlanta. “What I love about PFLAG is that it’s such a broad cross-section – LGBT people, their parents, grandparents, siblings and friends from all over the metro area. It truly is a family friendly and inclusive celebration,” he adds.
The event will draw around 150 guests. They will be treated to a night of musical entertainment, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and desserts served up by Rustic Gourmet. After dinner and the awards presentation, there will be a silent auction with prizes including two Southwest tickets to anywhere the airline flies and stays at the W Atlanta Midtown, Barnsley Gardens and Dollywood. The money raised at the event will go towards funding PFLAG’s signature programs: Safe Schools and the Straight for Equality program, conference fees, outreach and publicity.
Tickets are available online at the event website www.outwiththestars.com. They are $45 per head before June 11 and $55 after. For those under 21, we have special $30 tickets. Adds Fran Brandino, the other Co-President, “It’s an unforgettable annual event for our family to show our daughter Amanda how much we love her. When I found out Amanda was gay, six years ago, I found PFLAG and learned that there were other parents who were going through the same life changing event and that I wasn’t alone. PFLAG helped me be a better mother to my gay daughter.”
Event Details
What: The First Annual Out with the Stars Awards Dinner
When: Saturday June 23, 2012 7:30pm to 10:30pm
Where: Labella at Lambert Place 800 Lambert Dr NE Atlanta GA 30324
An expansive refurbished warehouse located in the Buckhead/Midtown area
Who: Open to ages 13 and up – parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, students, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, LGBT affinity groups from corporations & small businesses and nonprofits
Parking: Free parking
Attire: Cocktail attire (Dark suits for him, cocktail dresses for her)
Tickets: Available at http://www.outwiththestars.com/tickets
Media
For interviews with our PFLAG parents or the event chairs, please email media@pflagatl.org. Press passes are available for the event. Photo opportunities with Out with the Stars honorees will be made available. Guests will be able to publicly present a ‘star’ to their parent, child or teacher for being the wonderful person they are.
About PFLAG Atlanta
PFLAG Atlanta is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the Atlanta chapter of PFLAG National. Founded in 1973 with the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the original ally organization. PFLAG is committed to securing full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people by providing support, education and advocacy. PFLAG has grown to include more than 200,000 members and supporters in more than 350 chapters throughout the United States. To learn more, please visit www.pflagatl.org
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