Our friends over at the Bilerico Project are hosting a live blog tonight, starting at 7pm EST, with Nadine Smith (ED, Equality Florida), Kate Kendell (ED, National Center for Lesbian Rights, a lead litigating organization in the CA marriage fight) and Barbara McCullough-Jones (ED of Equality Arizona). These leaders will discuss the recent marriage campaigns live [...]

Today is the 10th annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance, commemorating the lives of transgender people lost to anti-transgender violence over the past year. Advocates have counted more than 50 transgender people killed already in 2008. Organizers of the Day of Remembrance are guided by this thought: “Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat [...]

Family Equality Council supporter Rachel Smith-Mosel submitted a letter to the editor to her local paper, the Federal Way Mirror, reacting to the passage of Prop 8 in California and Act 1 in Arkansas. Rachel and her wife Sandy are proud parents and foster parents. Here’s an excerpt from the letter and a link to [...]

Dear Families and Friends, LGBT families are at a crossroads. Nationwide we have made great change over the last several years, participating in our communities, showcasing our families’ strength and diversity. In 2006, millions of people watched our “world debut” as we included ourselves in a great American tradition—the White House Egg Roll. We made our [...]

We’re thrilled to bring this guest post by Cathy Renna of Renna Communications. “Are we still marching?” My three year old asked us this as we began the long walk back to our car after the Washington, DC protest march this afternoon. It was her first protest and she was enthralled by the people, sights and [...]

In response to the anti-family ballot measures passed in four states last week, Family Equality Council has launched a visibility campaign for LGBT families — Declare Your Family Equal — putting our families front and center in the ongoing debate about the rights and protections our children deserve. Thanks to the outpouring of support and photos [...]

I have taken a few days to process the impact of the 2008 election. On the one hand Barack Obama’s landslide has provided me the greatest hope that I have felt in decades; on the other I feel disgust at the hatred codified in the anti-gay ballot initiatives that passed. I’ve been a Barack Obama fan [...]

In response to the passage of Prop 102, Act 1, Amendment 2 and Prop 8, the Family Equality Council has launched DECLARE YOUR FAMILY EQUAL, a visibility campaign for LGBT parents, their families and friends. Click here to get involved and find out more. This post, “React Equality,” will serve as the message board for LGBT [...]

Dear Families and Friends, Today is a bittersweet moment for the LGBT community, our families and friends. The first presidential candidate to directly address LGBT family issues, Senator Barack Obama, has now become President-Elect Obama. What this means for our families’ health and happiness and the future of our movement for family equality is enormously positive. [...]

Check back often for updates! Take our Parent Power: Family Engagement in Election ‘08 Survey!  Download our Talking to Your Children About Election ‘08 publication. 12:55am, EST — Prop 8 votes are being counted. It looks like Act 1 in Arkansas has passed, banning all unmarried cohabtating couples from fostering and adopting children. Amendment 2, the Florida marriage ban, [...]

The Family Equality Council recognizes the toll elections can take on our families, especially this year. As we work today to get out the vote and to defeat anti-equality measures around the country, we want you to know that we understand the very personal conversations you will have with your families in the days to come. [...]

It’s Time to Vote! Today’s the day! If you haven’t already cast your ballot, you’ve got 4-8 hours, depending on where you live, to make your voice heard in this INCREDIBLY important election. If you still need your voter info, visit www.vote411.org. The Family Equality Council will keep you up-to-date with election results and resources on our [...]

The Family Equality Council does not endorse candidates, but we do inform our supporters about the candidates’ positions on issues that matter to LGBT families. As you may recall, Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director of Family Equality Council, issued identical letters to Barack Obama and John McCain back in July, asking the candidates to explain how their [...]

In the original post below, published two days ago, reports indicated Nov. 10 as the start date for same-sex marriages in CT. That date has changed and is now set for Nov. 12. See GLAD for more information on the logistics of CT marriages. Thanks! It appears unlikely that parties involved in the recent Kerrigan [...]

What is your role at Family Equality Council? I am the Family Outreach & Education Manager, which means I have the privilege of supporting and working with and on behalf of LGBTQ families. With the Rainbow Families/Family Equality Council merger, I now have the opportunity to do this meaningful work both in Minnesota and on a [...]

Dialogue with LGBT Families of Color—Calling LGBT Latino and African Descent Parents The Dialogue with Families of Color is part of Project Harmony’s Listening Tour Series. This series looks to collects stories, experiences, issues and concerns of LGBT-headed families of color and mixed-race families as Family Equality Council moves to create the report, “Lifting Voices: The [...]

Have you ever been to The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change? If not, NOW is the time! If you have attended the conference in the past, we invite you to join us again. This year Creating Change is 21 years old and remains the largest and most diverse strategic gathering of the lesbian, gay, [...]

The Rainbow Families Halloween Dance is an annual tradition for LGBT families to get together for a “spook-tacular” event. The event is held at a school in Minneapolis. Families spend the evening dancing with the DJ, decorating Halloween cookies, pinning a nose on the skeleton, guessing candy in a jar, making arts and crafts projects [...]

Over the weekend, guest blogger and lesbian mom Julie Phineas wrote about the importance of showing our children inclusive media. It’s important for our children to see families like theirs represented in the shows they watch and the movies they attend. Tru Loved, a new film by Stewart Wade, makes that task a bit easier. The [...]

Election Day is one week from today. In California, Arizona, Florida, Arkansas and many other states and communities, our families’ health and security are at stake. The Family Equality Council has worked hard this election season to engage our families in campaigns, the outcomes of which will directly and significantly affect their lives. We recognize that [...]