Nation’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender family rights organizations launch historic visibility campaign
(San Francisco, CA, December 7, 2009)—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Our Family Coalition, and COLAGE joined national and regional lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) family rights groups from around the country to launch the “From Our Family to Yours Campaign,” designed to introduce the First Family to thousands of LGBTQ families. In addition to spreading holiday cheer, the campaign will increase visibility and awareness for the need for federal protections for the LGBTQ community.
“My partner and I have two kids, Kobi and Talia, who are the same age as Malia and Sasha Obama. Like the Obamas and millions of other families, we get up in the morning, get our kids to school, value family time and aim to raise happy, healthy and well-adjusted members of society,” said Judy Appel, Executive Director of Our Family Coalition.“During this holiday season, we send the First Family warm seasons greetings, and ask them to join us in our quest for full equality. To succeed in getting federal protections for our families, we must put real names and faces to the people in our community.”
To participate in the campaign, families will send holiday cards to the First Family, sharing their photos and seasons greetings. Currently there are an estimated 2 million children being raised by lesbian or gay parents, living in 99.9 percent of counties across the United States.
On August 17, 2009, President Obama stated, “While we work with Congress to repeal DOMA, my administration will continue to examine and implement measures that will help extend rights and benefits to LGBTQ couples under existing law.”
“We wish the First Family happy holidays and a New Year filled with renewed support for LGBTQ equality. Federal employment protections, benefits for federal employees and their children, and repeal of the so- called Defense of Marriage Act are the needed steps toward equality that profoundly impact our community’s diverse families,” said Kate Kendell, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “We hope as many families as possible will participate in the ‘From Our Family to Yours Campaign.’”
“At COLAGE, we envision a world in which all families receive equal recognition, respect and rights,” said Meredith Fenton, COLAGE Program Director. “We know the First Family shares our vision of hope and justice and are excited to raise the visibility of people with LGBTQ parents through this celebratory campaign.”
Participating organizations include Center Kids: A Program of the New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, COLAGE, Equality California, Equality Federation, Family Equality Council, Family Matters: a Program of the San Diego LGBTQ Community Center, Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center Families Services Program, Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project, the MegaFamily Project, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Our Family Coalition, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), and the San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center.
For details, please visit http://fromourfamiliestoyours.wordpress.com.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.
Our Family Coalition promotes the rights and well-being of Bay Area lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender families with children and prospective parents through education, advocacy, social networking, and grassroots community organizing.
COLAGE is a national movement of children, youth, and adults with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ) parent/s. We build community and work toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education, and advocacy.