PFLAG’s National Spokesperson Shelley Argent has announced that she’s stepping down from her role after 7 years in the role.
Ms Argent cited health reasons as the motivator behind her decision.
The Parent’s and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is a non for proffit organsiation that provides support to the families and friends of the LGBTIQ community and provides invaluable advocacy work in the fight for equality.
“I have decided to step down as National Spokesperson for PFLAG for health reasons. I have lobbied State and Federal Parliaments for the last 13 years and been National Spokesperson for the last 7 years,” said Ms Argent.
Ms Argent said with the change in federal government, now was a good time for a new person to take the reins of the organisation. The group’s Queensland president Donna Goddard will take over from Ms Argent, who said Ms Goddard has a lot of fresh ideas and enthusiasm.
“I feel I have not only seen change in the last 14 years but have been part of bringing some of these changes for the betterment of the LGBT community and PFLAG,” said Ms Argent who cited the campaigns to gain defacto rights under Queensland’s Beattie government, the implementation of surrogacy, parental recognition and civil partnerships under the Bligh government as highlights of her advocacy.
“I was also very proud to be associated with removal of Economic Discrimination when Kevin Rudd was PM, and bringing Marriage Equality to the fore while John Howard, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard were respectively PM,” said Ms Argent.
Ms Argent said she still planned to be involved in community education and general support at PFLAG and plans to continue campaigning for a gender support centre to be established in Queensland.
In 2006 Ms Argent was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division (OAM) in the Australia Day Honors for service to the community through raising awareness of issues of acceptance, tolerance and equality for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex and support for their families. in 2010 she was profiled by the ABC program ‘Australian Story‘.
OIP Staff
