COLAGE News Blog

COLAGE Expresses Disappointment in Maryland Court Decision Sep 18 07

September 18, 2007. Today the state's highest court ruled that it is constitutional to deny the rights and protections of marriage to committed same-sex couples in Maryland. COLAGE joins with Equality Maryland in expressing our disappointment in the decision which continues preventing LGBT families equal access to the legal protections awarded through marriage.

COLAGE and our members intimately know that validation and recognition of our families through equal access to the rights and responsibilities awarded through marriage would protect families from discrimination in health care, insurance coverage, parental recognition and more. There are more than 400 provisions in MD state law and 1,100 provisions in federal law that protect married couples.

Chair of the COLAGE Board of Directors, Ryan Lalonde who lives in Silver Spring MD shared, "It is apparent that the majority in our State Supreme court have written off my family. I am hopeful that other Maryland leaders will step in and take the lead to help protect and strengthen the institution of marriage for all families, not for just those that can procreate. As the son of lesbian moms, and a future father myself, it is my hope is that States, including my state of Maryland will see that families like mine need legal protections too."

Equality Maryland plans to move the case to the General Assembly to ask the legislature to extend marriage to same-sex couples. Democratic State Senator Gwendolyn Britt, Chair of the Prince George's County Senate Delegation, has already announced her intention to sponsor legislation in 2008 that would allow same-sex couples to legally marry.

COLAGE Speak OUT member, Katherine Oliver of Columbia MD asserted, "The state that I love, the state that I grew up in has chosen to deny my family, my parents the same rights my husband and I have. Our families are everywhere and we want the same rights as everyone else. We are going to talk to our Senators. We are going to talk to our representatives. We are going to come forth and urge our legislature to make the laws fair for everyone. I have faith, that my children will live to see the day when their Grandpa and Pop Pop have the opportunity to get married. That day will be a day when my family and all other families like mine truly will have liberty and justice for all."

Join Equality Maryland and others committed to justice for LGBT families tonight! EQMD is hosting rallies across the state to urge the General Assembly to do what the court failed to do: end discrimination against committed same-sex couples and their families by expanding access to civil marriage to same-sex couples. We encourage youth and adults with LGBT parents to attend these events and demonstrate the impact of marriage inequality on COLAGErs. Find the rally closest to you and learn more about the case and ongoing efforts to secure marriage equality in Maryland on the Equality Maryland website.

COLAGE engages, connects, and empowers people to make the world a better place for children of LGBT parents and families. Through community building, youth empowerment, public education, and political advocacy at local, regional, and national levels, COLAGE plays an active role in creating a safe, just world for all children and families. www.colage.org

COLAGE Denounces New Jersey School Board for Homophobic Decision Sep 15 07

COLAGE denounces the decision of the Evesham Township School Board to ban That's A Family!

Decision Rejects Recommendations from Professional Educators and Ignores the Reality of Students with LGBT Parents

COLAGE joins with New Jersey families and a national network of educational and children's advocacy organizations in expressing their deep concern about the decision by the Evesham Township School Board to abandon its commitment to family diversity education.
Reacting to pressure from a small group of vocal opponents, the Evesham Township School Board voted to discontinue using That's a Family! an educational film made by Women's Education Media, despite the recommendation from its own special review committee to keep the film as part of its elementary health curriculum. The committee, comprised of educators, teachers, parents, and health curriculum experts, urged the school board to keep the curriculum, moving it to 4th grade instead of 3rd. This committee was formed after a public hearing of the school board last February during which hundreds of New Jersey youth, parents and adults, including COLAGE Speak OUT member Kerry Cullen, voiced their support for the film.

Following an intensive review process, this decision goes against the legal, educational, and ethical responsibility of school districts to create learning environments that allow all students to fully realize their potential. "Students with LGBT parents live in the vast majority of school districts across the country including Evesham Township. Therefore it is appropriate for all schools to be teaching their students about the reality of LGBT parented families" commented Meredith Fenton, COLAGE Program Director. "By removing this film from the curriculum due to homophobia and fear, the Evesham Township School Board is neglecting to validate and protect students with one or more LGBT parents in their schools."

Kerry Cullen, a young adult with a lesbian mother responded to the decision, "As someone who grew up with a lesbian mom in New Jersey, I feel that the school board's decision is oppressive and hurtful to all children. True, this issue is close to my heart because of my struggles with intolerance during adolescence, but the banning of this video does not only affect people like me. This action is a direct, deliberate show of fear--fear of differences in families. It seems ironic that the school board caved against hateful pressure, when hateful pressure is something that the gay community is forced to deal with every single day; something that we cannot cave to. Maybe this video could have helped relieve that pressure, if the school board could have been as strong as we are constantly forced to be."

COLAGE encourages youth, adults, parents and allies, especially those in New Jersey to share their disappointment about thisdecision with the Evesham Township Board of Education.

That's a Family! is an award-winning half-hour documentary designed especially for children in elementary school that is being used across the country. It features elementary school children who are being raised by parents of different races or religions, adoptive parents, single parents, divorced parents, gay or lesbian parents, and grandparents serving as guardians. Learn more about the film and hear more of the ongoing responses to the Evesham decision on the Women's Educational Media website.

COLAGE Urges Gov. Schwarzenegger to Support Marriage Equality Sep 14 07

COLAGE is urging California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign a marriage equality bill passed Sept. 7 by the state Senate with a vote of 22-15. The bill, AB43, was previously approved June 5 in the Assembly with a vote of 42-34. This is the second time in two years that the California Legislature has passed a bill that would provide all couples with equal access to a marriage license. Gov. Schwarzenegger has until Oct. 14 to either sign or veto the bill.

"I implore the governor to sign this bill," said Meredith Fenton, Program Director of COLAGE. "As a father of four children himself, he must intimately understand that all youth deserve to have families that are equally respected and protected by society and by the law. This bill would directly impact the experiences of youth with LGBT parents by providing increased protections for them and their families as well as demonstrate his respect for the experiences of all children and families."

COLAGE encourages all youth, adults, parents and allies who live in California to call the Governor and ask him to sign AB43. One call from you will help pressure him to make the right decision: (916) 445-2841.

Statewide demonstrations in support of the bill are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 18, and over seven thousand citizens have already signed an online petition urging Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign the marriage equality bill. Those interested in lending their support can find the petition at www.eqca.org/10000formarriage.

Stay tuned to www.colage.org for more information about rallies and events in California to urge the Governor to sign this bill.

7 Straight Nights: COLAGEr Activism in Houston Sep 14 07

Seven Straight Nights
Activism by a COLAGEr in Houston

Montrose Counseling Center
401 Branard St. Houston, TX 77006
October 11th at 6pm and concluding at 7am on the 12th.

Invitation to participate from COLAGE Speak OUT member Caitlin:

When I was in the fourth grade my father came out of the closet as a gay man. I have never been so proud of him. Unable to marry, have children, or live peacefully without fear of violence, he chose to closet himself in order to attain the simple human rights the rest of us simply expect. He has a loving partner of 8 years yet marriage is not an option. They have been denied basic protection, liberties, and human rights because of who they love. I know first hand that love makes a family complete, and I consider myself lucky to have gotten an extra father. Homophobia and discrimination have permeated every aspect of our society as we stand by silently. Many of us know that the oppression of LGBT individuals is horrible and wrong, but few have found an outlet to express our disapproval. The result is that issues of equality are labeled as "gay issues" or seen as radical demands of the few. It's time we change this misconception by choosing to follow our LGBT friends, neighbors, family, and fellow Americans and declare our intentions to be counted. Seven Straight Nights can allow allies this opportunity. I want to be a part of a generation and a nation that refused to be silenced and forget about the rights of their neighbors, friends and families. I want to be remembered for my love of people regardless of who they love and my ardent support of equality. That is why I am involved in Seven Straight Nights. So that I can support those brave and wonderful individuals who have been forced to stand alone for so long and to show them and the world that they must no longer fight alone.

That's why I want you involved. I want to stand shoulder to shoulder with my LGBT and allied friends at an event that will send a message: equality matters to everyone. Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights is a nationwide effort led by straight allies across the nation and we will be heard by America. In Houston, I am looking for people to tell their stories. Bring your whole families and tell us how you work together. How your children stand up as allies or second generation proud LGBT individuals. You all represent a part of equality that is very close to my heart because I've lived it. If you want to be involved in any way please e-mail me. From 6-10 we will be telling stories, sharing experiences and getting to know each other. After that the vigil will begin. If you can spare an hour of sleep in the middle of the night, please sign up for a shift at the event website. This is just so I know I won’t be alone and that we will have a strong showing for the entirety of the event. If you're not from Houston go to sevenstraightnights.org and find a location near you! I can't wait to meet you all and please contact me with ideas, suggestions, or stories you wish to share.

Join COLAGE in Connecticut for a Special Event Sep 12 07

Join COLAGE Connecticut and the COLAGE National Program Director, Meredith Fenton

For a Potluck Party!

Monday, October 1st

6 pm

At the home of Becca, Jason and Eric Lazarus
25 Craigs Road
Windsor, CT

Join us for an evening of community, food and fun. We’ll be talking about plans for COLAGE Connecticut for the year and hear from Meredith about the national work of COLAGE. Open to all youth and adults with LGBT parents, their families, friends and allies.

Please bring a dish to share.

RSVPby emailcolagect@yahoo.com or to 860-688-2484

COLAGE Celebration in NYC Sep 11 07

Celebrate Our Families

Please join COLAGE, COLAGE New York and hosts:

Robert & Jon Cooper
Richard Gottlieb
Bonnie Cordon & Laura Siskind
Danny Givertz
Jenny Laden
Sandy Russo & Robin Young

For cocktails & hors d'oeuvre (non-alcoholic refreshment also provided)

Thursday, October 4th, 2007
6:30pm- 9:00pm
@ RARE Gallery
521 W. 26th Street (between 10th & 11th)- New York, NY

Receive program updates, learn about our successes over the last year, and find out how you can be an integral part of our upcoming Support Our Community Campaign - celebrating 17 years.

Please contact Jack Ryder at 415.861.5437 or email him to RSVP.

COLAGE Boston Teen Night this Friday Sep 10 07

The first COLAGE Boston Teen Dinner of the year!
Anyone who has one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender parent/s who is aged 11 or older is welcome to join!

Friday, September 14th
Rosa Parks room at the Democracy Center
45 Mt Auburn St in Harvard Sq -right next to Deadalus restaurant.
We'll be meeting from 6-8 pm and serving dinner.
The suggested donation is $10 per youth, and no one is ever turned away.

See you next week! For more information or to RSVP email COLAGE Boston.

COLAGE Hudson Valley BBQ Sep 4 07

COLAGE Hudson Valley BBQ
Say goodbye to Summer and hello to Fall
Bowdoin Park
September 29, 1:00PM!!

Let's get together, play games, share stories while enjoying some picnic munchies. We will have hot dogs and burgers, drinks and paper products. Bring along your favorite games, music instrument or school story and a dish to share if you like.

Directions:

From Route 9 heading north, make a left onto Old Post Road

From Route 9 heading south, make a right onto Old Post Road

(Old Post Road is the road north of the Poughkeepsie Gallery Mall)

Left onto Sheafe Road, the park is 1.2 miles down on the right.

We will be by Pavilion 3, near the playground area.

For more information, contact COLAGE Hudson Valley.