WASHINGTON - May 1 - Dear Senator: All I want for Mother's Day is for you to vote NO on the Federal Marriage Amendment..." is the theme of thousands of postcards that will be sent between today and June 5 to U.S. Senators from members of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

"A no vote on the Federal Marriage Amendment would be the best gift any parent could get this year for Mother's Day or Father's Day," said Samuel Thoron, National President of PFLAG. "This is literally giving the gift of fighting discrimination against our children -- and there's nothing a parent could want more."

The new "Dear Senator" campaign is part of a month of high- intensity lobbying by PFLAG members around the U.S. to fight the Federal Marriage Amendment, which, if passed, would mark the first step in writing discrimination into the U.S. Constriction by denying marriage equality to same-sex individuals.

In addition to the postcard campaign, PFLAG members are lobbying their congressional representatives on this and other issues of equality for their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) loved ones this week on Capitol Hill. They will have family photos in hand and will make more than 30 visits during the day, culminating with a reception that evening.

"These visits are being made by PFLAG board members and Regional Directors -- all volunteers -- who represent the more than 200,000 members and supporters around the country," said Thoron. "Our legislators need to see that we believe in family values too, to see our photos of the people we do this for -- and to understand why passing legislation that hurts our GLBT loved ones is wrong, is un-American and unacceptable."

PFLAG members nationwide are also taking the message of marriage equality and fairness in legislation to their members of Congress at home. Members from PFLAG's more than 500 chapters are scheduling in-district meetings as part of their fourth annual Bringing the Message Home campaign to remind their elected officials that equality is non-negotiable and that discrimination against their loved ones affects their families too.

"Our families are everywhere, and we deserve equality," said Thoron. "It is as simple as that. All of our children should have of equal treatment, equal protections and equal opportunities and our elected officials need to know it."

Editorial Resources:

-- See images of the Mother's Day and Father's Day postcards being sent by PFLAG members now! High-res images available on request. http://www.pflag.org/FMA_postcards.html

-- Get more information on PFLAG's Bringing the Message Home lobbying efforts. http://www.pflag.org/BTMH_2006.html

-- Find out more about PFLAG's Capitol Hill Reception on May 4. http://www.pflag.org/rsvp.html

-- Read PFLAG's letter to Congress on marriage equality. http://www.pflag.org/index.php?id=814

-- Interview opportunities with PFLAG members from around the nation as well as national leaders are available. Contact Jean- Marie Navetta, jnavetta@pflag.org or call 202-467-8180 ext. 213, for more information today.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is the nation's foremost family-based organization committed to the civil rights of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender persons. Founded in 1973 by mothers and fathers, PFLAG has 200,000 members and supporters in more than 500 chapters throughout the United States. To learn more, please visit http://www.pflag.org

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