COLAGE News Blog

Family Day Presidential Proclamation Includes LGBT Families Sep 29 09

Family Day Proclamation Includes LGBT Families

President Obama released a Proclamation honoring Family Day today, inclusive of LGBT families.please see a copy of this presidential statement released yesterday.
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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release September 28, 2009

FAMILY DAY, 2009

- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Our family provides one of the strongest influences on our lives. American families from every walk of life have taught us time and again that children raised in loving, caring homes have the ability to reject negative behaviors and reach their highest potential. Whether children are raised by two parents, a single
parent, grandparents, a same-sex couple, or a guardian, families encourage us to do our best and enable us to accomplish great things. Today, our children are confronting issues of drug and alcohol use with astonishing regularity. On Family Day, we honor the dedication of parents, commend the achievements of
their children, and celebrate the contributions our Nation's families have made to combat substance abuse among young people.

The 21st century presents families with unprecedented challenges. Millions of women and men are struggling to balance the demands of their jobs with the needs of their families.At the same time, our youngest generation faces countless distractions in their social environment. They are coming of age in a world where electronic devices have replaced the playground, televisions have preempted conversation, and
pressure to use drug and alcohol is far too prevalent. Parents bear significant stress and burdens to protect their children from harmful influences.

It is our responsibility to talk with adolescents about the risks of abusing alcohol, tobacco, or prescription and illicit drugs, and other harmful behaviors. These substances can destroy the mind, body, and spirit of a child, jeopardizing their health and limiting their potential. Active parents, voicing their disapproval of drug use, have proven themselves to be the most effective preventative method for keeping our children drug-free. A strong and engaged family can make all the difference in helping young people make healthy decisions. By coming together as a family and discussing the events of the day, parents can foster open communication, share joys and concerns, and help guide their children toward healthy decisionmaking. A strong nation is made up of strong families, and on this Family Day, we rededicate ourselves to ensuring that every American family has the chance to build a better, healthier future for themselves and their children.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 28, 2009, as Family Day. I call upon the people of the United States to join together in observing this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities to honor and strengthen our Nation's families.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Want an easy way to support COLAGE? Join Social Vibe! Sep 28 09

Raising money for COLAGE has never been easier than it is with SocialVibe. By simply choosing us as your cause and posting a badge to your social networking profiles or blog, you are earning free donations for this cause. So you can help COLAGE continue to build a national network of people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer parent/s simply by using your Facebook, MySpace page, and other social networks. It is so easy to do! Click here to get started.

New Book from an adult COLAGEr: Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children: Research on the Family Life Cycle Sep 26 09

COLAGE is pleased to announce a new book written by adults COLAGE for an a member of the COLAGE research review committee, Abbie Goldberg.

Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children: Research on the Family Life Cycle
Abbie E. Goldberg

The past several decades have seen increasing controversies over lesbian and gay parenthood. More same-sex couples than ever are becoming parents, building their families while others debate their legal rights pertaining to marriage and parenthood. Against this sociopolitical backdrop, how do same-sex couples transition to parenthood, and what are their experiences as parents? Furthermore, what are the experiences of their children?

Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children: Research on the Family Life Cycle provides a comprehensive overview of the research on same-sex parenthood, exploring ways in which lesbian and gay parents resist, accommodate, and transform fundamental notions of gender, parenting, and family. The book takes a family life cycle approach, beginning with research on how same-sex couples meet and build healthy relationships, then describing how and why same-sex couples decide to have children and how they grapple with the changing roles each partner must adopt. Their experiences raising children through young adulthood are explored, including the challenges of interacting with their children's schools and teachers. In the end, the book considers the perspectives of the children themselves-as young adults and adults speak out about their experiences having lesbian or gay parents.

Integrating both qualitative and quantitative research, this book incorporates a range of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, sexuality/gender studies, and human development. It also highlights understudied aspects of same-sex parenting, such as termination of couple relationships. With practical recommendations in every chapter, this book is an indispensable resource for those who research lesbian and gay mental health and family issues, as well as those who provide services to lesbian and gay parents and parents-to-be.

Learn more about this book and buy your copy by clicking HERE.

Action Alert: Day of Action to Protect Marriage Equality in Maine Sep 25 09

The freedom to marry is under attack in Maine. COLAGErs around the country can play a role in protecting marriage equality.

In less than six weeks, Maine voters will decide on a statewide referendum that could deny same-sex couples the freedom to marry. As usual, anti-gay extremists are doing everything they can to strip LGBT people of this fundamental right. Despite their efforts, polls show the election is very close.

But with so much at stake, the No On 1 campaign in Maine needs every one of us to pitch in and make sure that voters in Maine hear from us. It's time to hit the phones!

On Sunday, September 27, join thousands of volunteers from across the country who are calling Maine voters. All you need is a phone and a computer with an internet connection. No long distance fees, no dialing - the web-based software does it all. But it can't sign you up! Sign up here to be part of the September 27th Maine Day of Action.

Schools, Marriage and Maine- One COLAGEr's Perspective Sep 24 09

COLAGE is excited to share this letter-to-the-editor written by a young adult member of our Speak OUT Program. Hannah lives in Maine with her lesbian mothers.

Dear Editor,

In recent weeks, we have all heard a lot about same-sex marriage and the consequences that may or may not result from it. While I am a strong believer in freedom of speech, there is one rumor going around that I feel must be addressed: the assertion that the legalization of same-sex marriage would force local schools to teach it as an alternative to "traditional marriage".

As the recent graduate of a Maine public school, I can honestly say that never in my twelve years of schooling, did I learn anything about marriage in the classroom. My peers and my teachers had far better things to talk about and I learned more than enough about marriage in the real world. I learned that I was not allowed to refer to my parents as "married", someone would always correct me. I was told that my parents' anniversary (Valentine's Day) was "just pretend" because they never had a wedding. I was told that I was born out of wedlock, the only option that my family was given. My parents didn't have the privilege of building a family around marriage because they are both women.

The outrageous claim that marriage equality will lead to children learning about homosexuality in school is one that leaves me dumbfounded. Maine public schools do not teach marriage. The very idea that such a lesson would be necessary is absurd.

In a debate that has become increasingly about the needs and fears of adults, I ask that we all take a moment to consider how children will really be affected by the outcome of November's vote. I can tell you, as a student, as a big sister, as someone who just left childhood a few years ago, the children whose parents don’t want them to learn about diversity could really care less about same-sex marriage; they have the worries of childhood on their minds, as they should. It is the children like me, the ones who are reminded regularly that society does not see our families as equal that will be affected.

To me, the bottom line is simple: when it comes to teaching children about diversity, about families that may initially appear different from their own, the facts are already here. Our families are already here, with or without our rights.

Sincerely,
Hannah Melville-Weatherbee

To learn more about the Speak OUT program or how YOU can share your story to make change, email Meredith Fenton, COLAGE Program Director by clicking HERE.

Speak OUT Camp Deadline Extended- Apply Today Sep 21 09

Join COLAGE for the first-ever Speak OUT Camp. This unique weekend retreat will give youth and adults with LGBTQ parents an exciting opportunity to connect for community, leadership training, skill building, political education, action planning and fun!

Click HERE to learn more and apply today! The application deadline has been extended to October 1st, 2009. Apply today!

COLAGE joins MEGA for their 1st Annual MEGA Family Conference Sep 19 09

JOIN COLAGE in Atlanta, GEORGIA
1st Annual MEGA Family Conference
Saturday, September 26th
9am-5pm Atlanta,GA

COLAGE facilitators will present a day of dynamic program for youth aged 8 and up who have one or more LGBTQ parent/guardian.
Topics include community building, leadership, tools for school and a chance to explore your creative side with games and art!
Visit http://eqfed.org/megafp/events/familyconference09/details.tcl for more conference details and to register for the conference.

MEGA will be presenting a family-friendly resource fair and workshops for parents covering topics related to parenting, prospective parenting, lgbt politics, and education and will have childcare available for children under the age of 8.

COLAGE in the Media Sep 11 09

An article on the blog of the Washington Blade that profiles a gay-parented family and includes facts from COLAGE. Click HERE to read the article.

CALL Congress TODAY - Support ENDA Sep 10 09

Congress is back in session, so now is the time to call Washington and pass ENDA!

ENDA, the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act, will protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. As COLAGErs, we depend on our LGBTQ parents' to financially provide for our families. While some states do provide legal protections, it is legal in many states to be fired from your job based on your sexual orientation or gender identity. We need ENDA, a law to protect all of our families from employment discrimination.

What YOU can do:
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: (202) 224-3121. Give the operator your zip code and ask to be connected to your Representative. Then, after leaving your message, hang up and call again to be connected to each of your two Senators.

Suggested voicemail message: My name is _____ and a proud resident of (your city/state). I am calling in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 3017/S. 1584). ENDA protects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people like my parent(s) from job discrimination and it is critically important to me and my family. Please take swift action to pass ENDA. I can be reached at _______ (provide your phone number). Thank you.

Thank you for taking the time to help pass this critical piece of legislation!

Click here to learn more about ENDA.

Action Alert: Contact Congress about ENDA Sep 3 09

ENDA, the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act, will protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. As COLAGErs, we depend on our LGBTQ parents' to financially provide for our families. While some states do provide legal protections, it is legal in many states to be fired from your job based on your sexual orientation or gender identity. We need ENDA, a law to protect all of our families from employment discrimination.

What YOU can do:
- Call your Senator and ask them to co-sponsor ENDA. Find your senator here.
- Visit the National Center for Transgender Equality's website to Sign the Petition and Contact Congress.
- Share your family's story of employment discrimination. Contact COLAGE Program Director Meredith Fenton.
- Email your friends and family asking them to contact Congress.

Click here to learn more about ENDA.

Uruguay Passes Gay Parent Adoption Sep 2 09

Last week, lawmakers in Uruguay passed a law allowing same-sex couples to adopt. This law makes Uruguay the first country in South America to provide gay and lesbian couples with equal adoption rights.

From the Associated Press:

"We're deeply happy," Mauricio Coitino, from the country's Black Sheep Collective of gays, lesbians and transsexuals, told AFP after Thursday's vote.

"The main thing is that the project promotes equality for families with gay or transsexual parents, so they can raise their children with the same rights."

Gay adoptions remain contentious worldwide, as illustrated by recent legal disputes on the issue from Germany to Florida.

Uruguay, a nation of some 3.5 million people, now moves another step away from its more conservative neighbors after having already authorized civil unions for homosexuals last year.

COLAGE applauds this decision and it's global impact. As we know, children and youth benefit from loving parents, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Legislation like this provides vital access for families like ours.