COLAGE Chapters

A COLAGE chapter is a community-based group that provides community, empowerment, education, and advocacy for children and youth with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ) parents ages 8-18.

COLAGE chapters are autonomous groups with affiliation (through the signing of our Chapter Agreement) to the national COLAGE organization. We strongly affirm that each of our chapters can best determine the type of activities and events that will most appropriately address the needs of youth and families in its community. Therefore, chapters are encouraged and supported to self-determine their focus and format. Chapters offer comfortable and safe places for youth to meet, support each other, have fun, and talk about issues related to having LGBTQ parents.  Our chapters are for people from many different types of family situations.  Our members include those who are multiracial and those with disabilities; those who are adopted and those who were conceived through donor insemination; those who have grown up with LGBTQ, straight, and single parents, or more than two parents, and those whose parent(s) recently came out. If you are interested in starting a chapter or are curious if there is one in your area, please email Robin Marquis, the National Program Coordinator at robin@colage.org.

COLAGE chapters change lives. One of the greatest challenges reported by youth with LGBTQ parents is a sense of isolation, aloneness, or feeling that “they are the only one.” When youth with LGBTQ families get together, regardless of what we actually do or say, it’s a positive experience that can’t be underestimated.

COLAGE chapters build communities. Bringing together youth with LGBTQ parents for in-person activities often inspires them to be more active members of the larger community.

COLAGE chapters provide unique spaces, unlike any other groups for youth. COLAGE is committed whenever possible to creating COLAGEr-only spaces. While we value the dedication and support of our parents and allies, we have found that there is something extremely powerful in providing spaces for people with LGBTQ parents exclusively.

COLAGE chapters create leaders. Through the COLAGE community, children of LGBTQ families build confidence in themselves and their families. That confidence helps children of LGBTQ families become leaders proud of who they are and proud of their families too, and move into leadership roles, whether in the LGBTQ community or on other issues that they are passionate about.

COLAGE chapters impact systematic and societal change. Our members and our groups engage in activism, public education, and advocacy work that make the world a better place for children of LGBTQ parents.  The COLAGE network helps children of LGBTQ families gain the rights, recognition and respects that every family deserves. Chapters are able to represent the unique voice of youth and adults with LGBTQ parents in LGBTQ organizing and larger social justice work in their communities.

COLAGE offers our chapters:

Chapter Guide: When someone is interested in starting a COLAGE chapter, we provide them with this COLAGE Chapter Guide. This resource gives ideas for chapter activities, guidelines for starting a chapter, and more helpful information. As new training materials, resources on different aspects of chapter management, and other tools are developed, these are also shared with COLAGE groups.

Facilitator Toolkit: A supplemental guide to teach an anti oppression and social justice framework in order to make COLAGE spaces safe where every person feels respected and supported in order to celebrate our unique identities and experiences.

Chapter Affiliation Agreement: COLAGE clearly outlines the relationship between COLAGE and its chapters, granting local groups use of the COLAGE name, logo, and materials, providing fiscal sponsorship, and more.

Outreach: This is done through listings in our website.

Materials: COLAGE is happy to send your chapter any useful COLAGE materials.

Support: COLAGE provides skills and advice in both group and individual settings.

COLAGE email address: We provide chapters with a forwarding email address, e.g., chaptername@colage.org.

COLAGE chapter highlights on our Website: The COLAGE website contains a section where we highlight the work of our local chapters. This lets people around the world know about the work you are doing on a local level and may attract new membership to your chapter.

Fiscal sponsorship: For groups engaged in fundraising, COLAGE will serve as Fiscal Sponsor to chapters. Chapters raising funds may also choose a local 501(c)(3) non-profit to play this role.

Colage Chapters