COLAGE invites our members and allies to watch tonight's episode of 30 Days. Tomorrow after you watch, visit the bulletin boards of the show to applaud the efforts of the families and youth who shared their stories. We also invite you to contact FX Networks to express concerns about a defamatory claim by an anti-gay activist that will appear, unchallenged, in the show.

30 Days, FX Networks’ original series produced by Morgan Spurlock, "examines social issues in America by immersing individuals in a life that requires them to see the world through another’s eyes," according to the show’s Web site.

During the June 24 episode, entitled "Same Sex Parenting," Kati, a woman who opposes gay and lesbian parents and their families, lives for 30 days with gay parents Dennis and Thomas and their four adopted sons, a family who have attended COLAGE and Rainbow Family Great Lakes Family Week in Michigan for many years. The episode includes the personal stories of kids raised by lesbian and gay parents shared by members of COLAGE Ann Arbor and COLAGE NYC.

Regrettably, the episode also features a defamatory statement by Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council, an anti-gay activist organization, who claims: "Homosexuality is associated with higher rates of sexual promiscuity, sexually transmitted diseases, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, and child sexual abuse, and those are all reasons for us to be concerned about placing children into that kind of setting." While there is no credible scientific research that backs Sprigg’s claim - and much that disputes it - the episode presents his assertion as if it was fact and offers no credible social science experts or child health authorities to challenge Sprigg’s assertion. Indeed, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association, the Child Welfare League of America, and many other child health and social services authorities who support parenting by qualified lesbian and gay parents and dispute Sprigg’s claim.

"While we applaud the youth, adults and families who shared their experiences with Kati and Morgan Spurlock during this episode, we are disheartened that FX Networks are including defamatory and inaccurate information in the program," shared Meredith Fenton, COLAGE Program Director. "We appreciate the opportunity for our youth and families to authentically share their lives since we know that when children, youth, and adults with LGBTQ parents and their families speak truth to power by sharing their lives with everyday Americans, that hearts and minds are changed. It’s unfortunate that the same episode provides a platform for anti-gay activists whose misinformation feeds bigotry and hatred."

TAKE ACTION!
1. Watch the show with your family and friends. Be prepared to discuss some of the potentially sensitive emotions and issues the episode may raise.

2. Tomorrow, with our colleagues at GLAAD and Family Equality Council, COLAGE urges concerned youth, adults and families to contact FX Networks, and 20th Century Fox, to express their concerns over providing a platform for such an inaccurate, misleading claim by the Family Research Council. Community members should let FX Networks know that it is irresponsible and unacceptable to put forth such a damaging, defamatory assertion about lesbian and gay parents, and worse, refuse to include the voices of credible experts to dispute it.

3. Lastly, visit the bulletin board for 30 Days online here and share your support for Tom and Dennis, their sons and the other members of the COLAGE and LGBT family community who courageously shared their experiences for this show.

FX Networks:

Nick Grad
Executive Vice President of Original Programming
(310) 369-0949
ngrad@fxnetworks.com

Chuck Saftler
Executive Vice President of Programming
(310) 369-0949
csaftler@fxnetworks.com

Scott Seomin
Vice President of Public Relations
(310) 369-0938
scott.seomin@fxnetwork.com