
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 23, 1993                   TAG: 9305240244
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HELPING PARENTS COME OUT OF CLOSET

AS I MARCHED down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, representing parents and friends of lesbians and gays from Roanoke, shouts and cheers rang out. "Hey Mom!", "We love you!" and "Thanks for coming!" were repeated over and over by hundreds of homosexuals whose faces I had never seen.

Many were cheering, laughing and some crying. I feel that great numbers of them were hoping, wishing and praying that it were their mom or dad out there showing love, acceptance and support.

I cannot express the feeling of pride I have at this time to be able to come "out of the closet" as a parent and to be strong, wise and caring enough to help another parent try to understand and accept their homosexual child. KITTY HAGMAYER VINTON

by CNB