When Robert came out to his parents in 1988, the first organization he turned to was PFLAG. He became active again in 2008, after California voters passed Proposition 8, joining his local PFLAG chapter in Bakersfield. This renewed involvement led to a position on the chapter’s board as vice president. Robert later served as PFLAG’s Regional Director for the Southern Pacific Region and as a member of the national board. He is a strong believer in PFLAG’s mission and vision, and in its vital role within Bakersfield’s conservative community—particularly in supporting LGBTQ individuals and their families through education and advocacy.