www.ambiente.us JUNE / JUNIO 2008
PFLAG PRAISES MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK FOR HEARTWARMING
EMBRACE OF HIS LESBIAN DAUGHTER
GOVERNOR & MRS. PATRICK “EMBODY THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF LEADERSHIP
& LOVE,” GROUP SAYS
BOSTON, MASS. – Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) today applauded a
groundbreaking interview, in Bay Windows newspaper, in which Katherine Patrick, daughter of
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, talks openly for the first time about being the lesbian daughter of one
of America’s most pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) leaders.
In an interview with Windows reporter Laura Kiritsy, Governor and Mrs. Patrick discuss their shared pride for
their daughter and recount Katherine’s coming out experience at the Governor’s Mansion.
“[T]the first thing my dad did was, [he] wrapped me in a bear hug and said, ‘Well, we love you no matter
what,” and the family shared a group hug. “And I’ve been closer to my parents since coming out than any
other time, I think,” Katherine says.
“All of us at PFLAG congratulate Governor and Mrs. Patrick as they embrace their daughter and celebrate
their family’s love,” said PFLAG national president John R. Cepek, who is the father of a gay son. “The
Patricks embody the perfect combination of leadership and love and are role models not only for parents in
Massachusetts, but for families across the country. Long before he knew he had a lesbian daughter,
Governor Patrick was a leader on LGBT issues. He has set a policy and parental example that every father,
and every elected leader, should aspire to follow.”
Massachusetts is one of only two states to officially recognize full marriage equality for same-sex couples. In
2007, the state legislature defeated a measure, following the historic Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling
legalizing marriage, to amend the state’s constitution to ban such unions. The effort to defeat the measure
was led, in large part, by Governor Patrick.
“[O]f course, he didn’t know I was gay then,” Katherine Patrick says in her interview this morning. “So, for
someone so publicly to fight for something that doesn’t’ even affect him was just like, ‘That’s my dad,’ you
know? That’s all I could think. I was very, very proud to be part of this family, and this state in general.”
This Saturday, Governor Patrick will join his daughter to march in the Boston Pride Parade.
“PFLAG extends a heartfelt invitation to the Governor and Katherine to join our local chapter in Saturday’s
parade,” Cepek added. “We are proud to have them as part of the growing chorus of families who believe in
loving all of our children equally, and just as they are.”
PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families
and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public;
and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts
to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. For more information, visit www.pflag.org.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
PFLAG PRAISES MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK FOR HEARTWARMING
EMBRACE OF HIS LESBIAN DAUGHTER
GOVERNOR & MRS. PATRICK “EMBODY THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF LEADERSHIP
& LOVE,” GROUP SAYS
BOSTON, MASS. – Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) today applauded a
groundbreaking interview, in Bay Windows newspaper, in which Katherine Patrick, daughter of
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, talks openly for the first time about being the lesbian daughter of one
of America’s most pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) leaders.
In an interview with Windows reporter Laura Kiritsy, Governor and Mrs. Patrick discuss their shared pride for
their daughter and recount Katherine’s coming out experience at the Governor’s Mansion.
“[T]the first thing my dad did was, [he] wrapped me in a bear hug and said, ‘Well, we love you no matter
what,” and the family shared a group hug. “And I’ve been closer to my parents since coming out than any
other time, I think,” Katherine says.
“All of us at PFLAG congratulate Governor and Mrs. Patrick as they embrace their daughter and celebrate
their family’s love,” said PFLAG national president John R. Cepek, who is the father of a gay son. “The
Patricks embody the perfect combination of leadership and love and are role models not only for parents in
Massachusetts, but for families across the country. Long before he knew he had a lesbian daughter,
Governor Patrick was a leader on LGBT issues. He has set a policy and parental example that every father,
and every elected leader, should aspire to follow.”
Massachusetts is one of only two states to officially recognize full marriage equality for same-sex couples. In
2007, the state legislature defeated a measure, following the historic Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling
legalizing marriage, to amend the state’s constitution to ban such unions. The effort to defeat the measure
was led, in large part, by Governor Patrick.
“[O]f course, he didn’t know I was gay then,” Katherine Patrick says in her interview this morning. “So, for
someone so publicly to fight for something that doesn’t’ even affect him was just like, ‘That’s my dad,’ you
know? That’s all I could think. I was very, very proud to be part of this family, and this state in general.”
This Saturday, Governor Patrick will join his daughter to march in the Boston Pride Parade.
“PFLAG extends a heartfelt invitation to the Governor and Katherine to join our local chapter in Saturday’s
parade,” Cepek added. “We are proud to have them as part of the growing chorus of families who believe in
loving all of our children equally, and just as they are.”
PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families
and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public;
and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts
to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. For more information, visit www.pflag.org.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
| RESIDENTIAL COMMERICAL Licensed Across Florida CGC060449 dructorbuilds.com 305-401-8914 |
| GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION WWW.GLAAD.ORG |
| Gay American Heroes Foundation Honoring LGBT persons who died because of their sexual orientation and gender identity www.gayamericanheroes.com |
| Endulge Yourself... Chocolate Themed Baskets & Gifts www.dulcestore.com |
| Web resource for LGBTQ youth www.matthewsplace.com |
| An online forum on sexual health education for gay and bisexual men www.lifelube.org |
| www.familiasporladiversidad.org |
| LIGA Contra el SIDA - SoFla. League Against AIDS www.leagueagainstaids.org |
