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In late 1999, PFLAG worked with activists to form the Families of Color Network, which works with people of color to address GLBT issues in the context of their African-American, Arab-American, Asian/Pacific Islander-American, Latino/a and Native American/American Indian communities. Across the country, PFLAG chapters are also working to meet the needs of communities of color. For example, in Detroit, MI, PFLAG Family Reunion, a support group for families of color was established, and at PFLAG New York City there are optional meetings for African-American, Latino/a and Native American PFLAGers held in independent spaces. Some PFLAG chapters offer bilingual meetings, such as PFLAG en Espanol in Orange County, CA.

Nationally, PFLAG has released a booklet in Spanish to meet the needs of Latino/as and Spanish-speaking families. PFLAG has also formed a Families of Color Advisory Board, made up of PFLAG leaders who can assist in the formation of new FOC chapters.

The Families of Color Network Advisory Board meets monthly to discuss issues related to PFLAG in communities of color. Our vision and mission statement reads below:

OUR VISION

To have us all—people of different races, ethnicities and cultures, standing together and united by the love of our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender children, families and friends.

MISSION STATEMENT

• The Families of Color Network is a collective group that facilitates PFLAG activists of color to work together on local and national levels to fight homophobia.

• The Families of Color Network strives to promote cross-culture synergism.

• The Families of Color Network strives to make our ethnic communities safe for GLBTs through education.

The Families of Color Network strives to make PFLAG chapters aware of cultural differences and issues regarding homosexuality.

The pervasive oppression of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) individuals is what makes the support provided by PFLAG chapters so necessary. Just as PFLAG challenges "heterosexual privilege" — the obvious and not-so-obvious advantages that come with being straight (such as access to marriage, or not worrying about how your sexual orientation will affect your employment status) we also acknowledge the interconnectedness of oppressions and challenge racism, and other “-isms” as well.

We recognize that in order to truly realize our mission, we must work to create an inclusive organization and build coalitions with people of color, low-income people and others in our local communities and on the national level. PFLAG is engaged in the continuing work of being welcoming and relevant to people of color, poor and low income people, people whose first language is not English and people with disabilities, to name a few.