John Pugh O.A , one of the founders of Western Australia’s Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) group and a leading advocate for gay and lesbian rights has passed away.

John’s son, Jeff Hughes, described his father as a man who had fought for gay rights since he came out to his family in 1980.

“He was at the forefront in the law reform battles which occurred in the 80’s and 90’s, constantly writing letters, lobbying politicians and never shying away from media interviews when asked,’ Jeff Huges shared on OUTinPerth’s Facebook page.

In 1985 John and Des Perry, along with a few friends, founded Uniting Friends under the auspice of the Uniting Church. This group paved the way for John, alongside his wife Margaret and June Smyth to establish the first PFLAG group in Australia. John was an active member of the PFLAG group for decades, providing invaluable advice and assistance to many parents whose children were gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Both John and his wife Margaret were awarded a medal of the Order of Australia for their services to the community in 2011.

John Pugh will be laid to rest at Karrakatta Cemetery this Friday, April 11th at 9:30am.

Image: John and Margaret Pugh with Governor Ken Michael