A local mother is speaking out about how she was inspired to get involved in a national organization after her teenage son told her he's gay.



PFLAG provides support for parents, families, and friends of gays and lesbians.The local LGTB community is opening up and working to support teens and their families that may have no where else to turn.



Jennifer Ward, president of PFLAG Winchester said through tear-filled eyes, "Stand by your child. I mean, he's got a friend, and I can't give names, but he's got a friend that's a lesbian, and her mother doesn't support her."

 

At 14-years-old Ward's son came out as a gay teen, which inspired her to get involved with a little-known group in Winchester called PFLAG.



She added, "I don't think the name does it justice now, because we're trying to reach everyone. We're trying to not just families of lesbians and gays but lesbians and gays. We're opening up to teenagers...All ages."

 

The group of about 30 meets outside of Stephens City and provides support for people like Ward's son, Dutch Montley.



Montley added, "It's nice to have someone out there that you can relate to and know that knows what you're going through."



While the need for support in high school and at home might be true, students at Shenandoah University say there's plenty of support for the LGBT community.



Student, Emily Ehrgott, explained, "I do think that there's a lot of support here at Shenandoah. Even in our spiritual life department, there's a lot of support, which isn't common in a lot of spiritual life aspects."

 

Though support may be strong at some institutions, at least one PFLAG member says it all starts at home.



Ward continued, "You may not agree with it. You may not like it, and I'll say it's a slap in the face when you find out, but you've got to support them."

 

Support is what Ward and her counterparts at PFLAG are all about.



The group meets  the third Sunday of every month. For more on meetings click here.