Organization: FAMILY EQUALITY
Mission: FAMILY EQUALITY'S MISSION, REFINED IN MARCH 2017, IS TO ADVANCE LEGAL AND LIVED EQUALITY FOR LGBTQ FAMILIES, AND FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO FORM THEM, THROUGH BUILDING COMMUNITY, CHANGING HEARTS AND MINDS AND DRIVING POLICY CHANGE.
Activities: TIED CLOSELY TO THE VISION STATEMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION, THE PROGRAM DEPARTMENT DEVELOPED THREE FOCUS AREAS TO STRUCTURE CURRENT AND FUTURE WORK. THOSE FOCUS AREAS INCLUDE LGBTQ-SPECIFIC: FAMILY RESOURCE AND SUPPORT NETWORKS WITH THE EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE NETWORKS, LGBTQ FAMILY GROUPS HAVE SPRUNG UP ACROSS THE NATION; HOWEVER, NO COORDINATING BODY HAS EXISTED TO SUPPORT AND CONNECT THOSE NETWORKS. FAMILY EQUALITY COUNCIL NOW CONVENES THE NATIONAL NETWORK OF LGBTQ FAMILY GROUPS, CONNECTING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LGBTQ FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BUILDING CURRICULUM, AND SHARING BEST PRACTICES FOR THESE NETWORKS. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND VISIBILITY AN IMPORTANT PILLAR OF THE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT IS ENGAGING LGBTQ FAMILIES AND ENSURING THE VISIBILITY OF THEIR STORIES. PARENTS, PEOPLE WITH LGBTQ PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, AND PROSPECTIVE PARENTS ALL HAVE IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVES, EXPERIENCES, AND VOICES THAT ARE INVALUABLE, ESPECIALLY IN THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE. INCLUDED IN THIS FOCUS AREA IS THE RE- CONCEPTUALIZATION AND UTILIZATION OF THE OUTSPOKEN GENERATION AND PEARLS OF WISDOM PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS THE CREATION OF A NEW PARENTS STORY-SHARING PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, FAMILY WEEK, THE LARGEST GATHERING OF LGBTQ FAMILIES IN THE WORLD, CONTINUES TO BE AN ANNUAL SUCCESS EACH JULY IN PROVINCETOWN, MA. FAMILY FORMATION RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FAMILY EQUALITY IS COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT LGBTQ PARENTS AND THOSE WHO WISH TO FORM AN LGBTQ FAMILY HAVE CLEAR ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF FAMILY FORMATION/EXPANSION OPTIONS, AS WELL AS RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THEM AS THEY SEEK TO BECOME PARENTS. THE PROGRAM TEAM IS WORKING WITH PROSPECTIVE PARENTS TO EDUCATE AND SUPPORT THEM THROUGH THEIR JOURNEY, FAMILY BUILDING ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP THEM FEEL PREPARED FOR OUR LGBTQ FAMILIES, AND EMPLOYERS WHO ARE HOPING TO DEVELOP LGBTQ FAMILY-FRIENDLY POLICIES AND BENEFITS.
NTEE category: Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy
Secondary category: Community Improvement & Capacity Building