Paulette Goodman
Paulette Goodman (June 30, 1933 – August 15, 2021) was the President of Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) from 1988 to 1992.[1] She led the campaign to get PFLAG ads displayed on DC Metro buses.
Life
Paulette Goodman was born in June 1933 to a Jewish family and grew up in
Goodman has appeared on radio, TV, and in print, and given talks and workshops at colleges, in faith communities, and other public forums. She lobbied in Annapolis and on Capitol Hill for LGBT equality, and helped start PFLAG chapters in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. In 1991 Goodman was honored by the
In 1989, Goodman sent a series of letters to Barbara Bush asking for her support. The first lady replied personally, stating, "I firmly believe that we cannot tolerate discrimination against any individuals or groups in our country. Such treatment always brings with it pain and perpetuates intolerance." The reply, inadvertently passed on to the Associated Press, caused a political maelstrom and may have been the first gay-positive comments to come from the White House.[5][6]
In 2005 Goodman founded PFLAG Riderwood—a satellite support group under the umbrella of PFLAG Metro DC—a first-of-its-kind PFLAG group based in a retirement home at Riderwood Community. Since its founding, the group has actively inspired other support groups to start in retirement homes.[7]
In March 2013, she received recognition for her work with PFLAG from both Montgomery County, Maryland and Martin O'Malley, the Governor of Maryland.
She died of natural causes on August 15, 2021, at the age of 88.[8]
Legacy
Season 3, episode 9 of the podcast “Making Gay History” is about her.[9]
References
- ISBN 978-1-4129-7815-6.
- ISBN 978-0-307-76355-6.
- ISBN 978-0-7385-1753-7.
- ^ "Paulette Goodman (2012 awardee)". Rainbow History Project. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-8122-0740-8.
- ISBN 978-0-8223-1564-3.
- ^ Shue, Kelly A. (January 2010). "Riderwood becomes first retirement community with PFLAG". Erickson Tribune. Archived from the original on 2013-12-26.
- ^ Chibbaro Jr., Lou (16 August 2021). "Former PFLAG president Paulette Goodman dies at 88". Washington Blade. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ "Season Three". Making Gay History. 1988-10-11. Retrieved 2020-04-27.