Sam Thoron, long-time equality advocate and PFLAG president, 79.

The passing has been announced in San Francisco of long-time equality advocate Samuel Thoron.

Along with his wife, Julia, Thoron led PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) in the Bay-area for 25 years. Sam served on the PFLAG National Board for ten years and as PFLAG National President from 2002 to 2006.

According to a statement issued by PFLAG’s national office Sam’s commitment to equality began when his own daughter, Liz, came out in 1990. During that coming-out process, she shared literature with her parents and one of those shared items had been provided by PFLAG.

The Thorons became visible to the wider public during the Prop 8 battle for marriage equality in California, featuring in television commercials that ran statewide. They later went on to write the letter in opposition to Prop 8 that was shared in the official California Voter Guide.

In addition to their local and statewide leadership, Sam went on to serve as a Regional Director in Northern California, and then on the PFLAG National board for several years, eventually becoming the president of PFLAG National in 2002.

Current PFLAG National Board President Kathy Godwin said, “Sam Thoron was always a PFLAG parent first, but then gave PFLAG so much more. His leadership was personal, caring, thoughtful, and filled with passion, but mostly it was about the right to love, to be authentic, and to share one's life in joy and dignity.”

Shared PFLAG National Director of Learning & Inclusion Jean-Marie Navetta, “Sam was the first PFLAG president with whom I worked, and he is part of who I have become. I will not forget the two big lessons he taught me: Tell your story, and ask for help when you need it. These things are at the heart of PFLAG and, I think, were in Sam’s heart too.”

Brooke Smith, PFLAG Chapter Engagement Manager, said, “Sam knew our truth and knew we were on the right side of history. Even in the midst of crushing losses that hurt deeply, he taught me to take the high road. He often told the story about his first meeting at PFLAG San Francisco where the chapter leader made an announcement that she would be leaving the keys and not be returning the next month. We had no idea at that moment what a treasure was walking into PFLAG and how he would affect our organization.”

“Sam emphasized the importance of personal stories to moving equality forward and gaining new allies,” Godwin added. “Sam said, “Each and every time we tell our truth, we’re creating a world where the sense that there is shame in being LGBT—or having a child or loved one who is—becomes less pervasive.” That strategy continues on at the center of PFLAG’s work.”

Sam Thoron died in his sleep aged 79, shortly after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He is survived by his wife, children and family.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, January 5, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco.

(Images courtesy San Francisco Bay Times)