PrideFest Grand Marshals Say Gay Son is a Blessing, Unity is Essential

From Anchorage PrideFest:

The Anchorage PrideFest 2008 steering committee selected Jane and Norm Schlittler as Grand Marshals for this year's Celebrating Diversity Parade.

Jane and Norm have been involved with the Anchorage GLBTA community since 1995, when they joined Anchorage PFLAG. They have been PFLAG board members since 1997.

"Having a gay son has been a huge blessing in so many ways," Jane explains. "We've enjoyed being PFLAG parents, promoting the PFLAG message at every opportunity."

If you've heard Jane speak at public events, you may have heard her say that sometimes parents go 'in the closet' when their gay kids come out. "It seems silly now, but that's the typical reaction of parents," she explains. Organizations like PFLAG are a critical resource to parents adjusting to the knowledge that a son or daughter or family member is gay.

While Jane is the determined PFLAG mom you're likely to see speaking to groups around Anchorage, Norm is busy helping make Anchorage PrideFest happen each year. He is the quiet force behind the plethora of permits we must secure from the Municipality before the Parade and Festival on the Park Strip can take place. So this year the PrideFest committee asked Norm to step away from his desk and step into the Grand Marshal carriage with Jane, so we can honor his dedication to PrideFest.

As this year's Grand Marshals and long-time members of the Anchorage GLBTA community, Jane and Norm encourage all groups, organizations and individuals to pull together and work toward our mutual goals for this community.

"We make frequent trips to San Francisco to visit our two daughters and grandchildren," said Jane. "Each time we're encouraged by the amazing progress we see there. If Alaska is ever to move out of the 'dark ages' of civil rights, a strong, unified community of GLBT and straight allies is absolutely essential. Together, we must inform the general public about these issues and increase voter participation."

The Anchorage GLBTA community is united in our love and appreciation of these two dedicated PFLAG parents, and we welcome them as Anchorage PrideFest 2008 Parade Grand Marshals!