Founded in 1973 by a mother in an effort to support her gay son, a big part of the organization’s mission centers on providing resources and peer support to LGBTQ+ community members, youth and their families. PFLAG is an organization for allies and families of the LGBTQ+ community as much as the members of that group, Bohnhof said. Starting about a year before the pandemic began, the group started picking up new members. That community backing is especially meaningful, he said, because there were several times over the years that the group almost folded due to a lack of interest and community support. The support, Bohnhof said, has been “incredible.”
“For whatever reason, I just drove to the parking lot here one day, and thought, ‘this would be a perfect spot for it,’” he said.īohnhof approached Andrea Marcoccioo, co-owner of Matchwood Brewing, along with Rick and Randy Evans from Evans Brothers Coffee.Īll three agreed to sponsor the event, and since then PFLAG has garnered support from other local businesses and community members including Syringa Cycling, Azalea Handpicked Style, The Fat Pig, Heart Bowl and others. Until this year, it was difficult to organize as a small group with limited resources. Jeff Bohnhof, president of PFLAG Sandpoint, said it was an idea the group has had since they started six years ago. It’s been a long time coming, but Sandpoint will host its first Pride event this July with the help of organizers at PFLAG Sandpoint, a local LGBTQ+ family and ally organization. Editor's note: This story has been updated.