Pastor Jay Bakker to Be Honored by PFLAG National With First-Ever Straight for Equality in Faith Award

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PFLAG National will honor Pastor Jay Bakker with the inaugural Straight for Equality in Faith Award, to be presented at the Fourth Annual Straight for Equality Awards Gala on Monday, April 2nd at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Straight for Equality—a national outreach and education project created by PFLAG National—invites, educates and engages straight allies to advocate for and support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people.

Jay Bakker has been an outspoken straight ally for a number of years, taking a very public stand on issues such as the importance of providing welcoming communities of faith for LGBT people, and marriage equality. In his book, Fall to Grace: A Revolution of God, Self and Society, Bakker talks about his own family's "fall from grace," and how it colored his personal understanding of the need for God to be available to all people. His self-described "spiritual evolution" to becoming a GLBT-affirming minister was one he played out in the public eye, much to the benefit of others who have wrestled with GLBT acceptance and how it fits into their beliefs.

"Our decision to honor Pastor Jay Bakker this year was a simple one," said Jody Huckaby, Executive Director of PFLAG National. "We've seen faith communities all over the country taking up this dialogue about what it means to support GLBT people, to welcome them, include them, and uplift them. In the Christian community, Pastor Bakker is a leader in these discussions, and we are proud to recognize the incredible work he has been doing—around the country and around the world—to move equality forward in communities of faith."

"It's an honor to be awarded for the work I love," said Rev. Jay Bakker.

To learn more about the 2011 Straight for Equality Awards Gala, visit www.pflag.org/2012gala. Other honorees this year include Entertainment honorees Audra McDonald and Will Swenson, and Workplace honorees KPMG LLP.

Founded in 1972 with the simple act of a mother supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the original ally organization. Made up of parents, families, friends, and straight allies uniting with LGBT people, PFLAG is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education and advocacy. Now entering its 40th year, PFLAG has more over 350 chapters and 200,000 supporters crossing multiple generations of American families in major urban centers, small cities and rural areas in all 50 states. To find out more about PFLAG National's programs and services, please visit us at www.pflag.org.  

Straight for Equality is a project of PFLAG National. It was launched in 2007 to invite, educate, and engage straight individuals to have the discussions necessary to move equality forward for their gay, lesbian, bi, and transgender friends in simple, nonpolitical ways. Learn more at www.straightforequality.org today.

SOURCE PFLAG National