ANN and BILL SHEPHERD
Photo part of article from The Oregon Journal
Per https://lgbtqreligiousarchives.org/collections/shepherd-family-papers Shepherd Family Papers “Bill and Ann Shepherd became deeply committed to fighting for gay and lesbian civil rights in Portland, Oregon, after their daughter, Susie, came out to them in 1972. Together, the Shepherds helped pave the way for tolerance of sexual minorities in Oregon. They fought every anti-gay ballot measure and candidate that arose. In 1976, Ann Shepherd was appointed to Oregon Governor Robert Straub's Task Force on Sexual Preference. From then on, the Shepherds spoke before church and civic groups to encourage parents and members to love and accept their gay and lesbian children. In 1977, the Shepherds, with Charles and Rita Knapp, formed the Portland chapter of Parents of Gays, later affiliated with the national organization Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).”
A Bill and Ann Shepherd Legal Scholarship through the OGALLA - Oregon’s LGBTQIA+ Bar Association.
Susie Shepherd shared a video of her parents which can be viewed on YouTube. CLICK HERE.
Sister Paula Trans-Evangelist interviewed the couple on her show in 1989, which can be viewed on YouTube. CLICK HERE.
PFLAG Portland is one of the oldest chapters in the PFLAG network, with a 40-year history of support to the LGBTQ community. But PFLAG Portland’s history begins long before it bore the name PFLAG.Our Story
MORE INFORMATION FORTHCOMING.