Family Equality Council To Mark 30th Anniversary In 2012

 Family Equality Council, the national organization that connects, supports, and represents the one million American families with lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) parents, today announced details of Celebrate, Commit, Connect – a campaign to mark the 30th anniversary of the group and the LGBT family movement. This year, Family Equality Council will commemorate its origins in 1979 as a support group for divorced gay fathers and acknowledge its evolution into a leading advocate working to create a world where LGBT families and all American families can be recognized, respected, and protected.

Family Equality Council Executive Director Jennifer Chrisler said the campaign will focus on celebrating the achievements of the group, LGBT advocates and ordinary people who have created lasting social justice for families; encouraging a new generation of people to commit themselves to raising their voices in fairness for all and creating new connections for the growing number of American families with parents and grandparents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

"After three decades of work, we have a strong community of parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren who reach across this country," said Jennifer Chrisler. "This campaign will recognize these families and the work that's been done by our organization and others in the LGBT community over the last 30 years to create a better world for those families."

"There is no doubt that there is more work to be done for our families," added Chrisler. "But if you look at the last 30 years, and indeed just the last year:state advances in marriage equality, the decision to declare the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, the official end of Don't Ask Don't Tell and a renewed national dialogue about adoption and foster care rights, it's clear that LGBT families live in a world where they have better recognition, respect, and protections."

"This anniversary is an opportunity for us to tell our community that they have changed the world and that they are better positioned to make a world of difference for all families." Chrisler outlined some of the organization's plans for 2012 including:

• Major events to mark the year-long celebration, including the Los Angeles Awards Dinner on February 11th, Night at the Pier in New York on May 8th, and the first Family Weekend in Washington DC from May 17-19, whenfamilies from across the country will learn more about how the laws and policies that affect our families are made and talk to members of Congress about the issues that are important to our families.

• Community celebrations such as the Midwest Families Conference in Minneapolis (Apr. 27-28), International Family Equality Day (May 6), Family Week in Provincetown (July 28- Aug. 4), as well as regional family events coinciding with Pride Month.

• A 30th anniversary commemorative video as well as new opportunities for families to commit themselves to social justice through sharing their stories in a year-long LGBT family story collection project.

• A new information portal where families can commit to educate and influence policymakers with a simple mouse-click.

• A rich, user-friendly new website, launching in late January, that will allow people to connect with other families and parent groups as well as a new child development newsletter for expecting and new parents that will share useful information about the health and wellness milestones to watch for as their children grow.

• A new program called "Scan & Send It" that will give families an even bigger voice in changing systems to truly include YOUR family's structure.

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