Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) applauded the groundbreaking interview, in which Katherine Patrick, daughter of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, talked openly for the first time about being the lesbian daughter of one of America's most pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) leaders.  

Patrick said she waited to tell her father about her sexual orientation until after Massachusetts lawmakers voted to kill a proposal to outlaw marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. The 18-year-old, who attended St. Andrew's School in Delaware and is planning to attend Smith College in the fall, told her parents that she was gay on July 3, 2007.  

In an interview with Bay Windows reporter Laura Kiritsy, Governor and Mrs. Patrick discuss their shared pride for their daughter and recount Katherine's coming out experience at the Governor's Mansion.  

"[T]the first thing my dad did was, [he] wrapped me in a bear hug and said, 'Well, we love you no matter what," Patrick said. "And I've been closer to my parents since coming out than any other time, I think.”  

Diane Patrick, Katherine’s mother, was equally supportive of her daughter’s coming out. In the article, the Massachusetts first lady was quoted describing her initial reaction to her daughter’s announcement by saying: "I thought, ’Well, what did she think we were going to say about this?’ Because I really hoped that she didn’t harbor any concern that we were going to be worried or upset or scandalized in any way."  

"All of us at PFLAG congratulate Governor and Mrs. Patrick as they embrace their daughter and celebrate their family's love," said PFLAG national president John R. Cepek, who is the father of a gay son. "The Patricks embody the perfect combination of leadership and love and are role models not only for parents in Massachusetts, but for families across the country. Long before he knew he had a lesbian daughter, Governor Patrick was a leader on LGBT issues. He has set a policy and parental example that every father, and every elected leader, should aspire to follow."  

Massachusetts is one of only two states to officially recognize full marriage equality for same-sex couples. In 2007, the state legislature defeated a measure, following the historic Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling legalizing marriage, to amend the state's constitution to ban such unions. The effort to defeat the measure was led, in large part, by Governor Patrick.  

"[O]f course, he didn't know I was gay then," Katherine Patrick said in her interview. "So, for someone so publicly to fight for something that doesn't' even affect him was just like, 'That's my dad,' you know? That's all I could think. I was very, very proud to be part of this family, and this state in general."  

The Patrick family was met with cheers and applause on Saturday as they marched with friends in the annual Gay Pride parade in Boston. Thousands of spectators were on hand to witness the parade, including State Representative Bryon Rushing (D-Boston), who stated he was proud of Katherine Patrick for coming out.  

“I don’t think it’s a thing that’s mandatory, but it’s important that she did this for herself and her family,” Rushing said, according to WBZTV.com.