From BaltimoreOutLoud.com

PFLAG Chair Colette Roberts Honored at Jazz Brunch

Colette Roberts, the chairperson of the Howard County chapter of PFLAG-Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, and the chapter, were recognized for outstanding community service by Equality Maryland on Sunday, November 20.

The event took place at the Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor hotel as part of Equality Maryland's 3rd annual Jazz Brunch, a fundraising affair that attracted nearly 700. Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley offered opening remarks, and the keynote speaker was the venerable civil rights leader Julian Bond who is Chairman of the NAACP. Mr. Bond gave a stirring speech that emphasized that "the fight for gay rights is the same as the struggle for civil rights."

Stunned by the appearance of her four children who were invited to the event without her knowledge, Ms. Roberts was introduced by Maryland State Delegate Elizabeth Bobo and by her lesbian daughter Nina, who had flown in from San Francisco to see her mother honored first hand.

Colette Roberts was recognized for her energy and drive in making lives better for the lgbt community and their families in Howard County. Having faced racial discrimination, Ms. Roberts did not want to see her lesbian daughter regarded as a second class citizen. She thanked her husband, Jim, and her family for all the support as well as the members of the Howard County chapter of PFLAG for their efforts and others who are helping to fight discrimination against the lgbt community.

"I had four teenagers in the house at one time-all gave me a reason to be hysterical. Being gay was not one of them," Ms. Roberts said to thunderous applause.

"I remember meeting Colette my very first week on the job, and I remember thinking, 'thank goodness that there are people like her in Maryland who have been doing this work long before I came on the scene,'" said Dan Furmansky, Executive Director of Equality Maryland. "Colette is one of the most caring, passionate, dedicated individuals I have ever met, and she has undoubtedly touched the lives of more people than she could possibly know."

Jody Huckaby, the Executive Director of the Washington, D.C.-based national PFLAG organization with 500 chapters across the country agrees. "Colette Roberts exemplifies the power of PFLAG's grassroots, family-focused voice for lgbt equality," he said. "She has worked tirelessly over the years to help keep the mission of PFLAG strong in Columbia and throughout Howard County. Her leadership in PFLAG through support, education and advocacy continues to strengthen the community and serve as a role model for chapters across the country."

Colette Roberts co-founded the Columbia/Howard County chapter in 1995 with Linda Linton and remains its chair. Ms. Roberts may be reached at 410-290-8292 or e-mail at Robertscp@aol.com.