![Want to meet other gay dads who are raising children and have some fun in the process? Sign up for the Family Equality Council's (FEC) 2014 "Family Week," held in Provincetown, Mass. from Aug. 3 to Aug. 10. The FEC has been serving LGBT families for over 30 years, committed to promoting your gay parenting rights.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/48/ae/48ae7c4eb19e07af0f5c184bd2709e93.jpg?itok=Rl74ehLR "Want to meet other gay dads who are raising children and have some fun in the process? Sign up for the Family Equality Council's (FEC) 2014 "Family Week," held in Provincetown, Mass. from Aug. 3 to Aug. 10. The FEC has been serving LGBT families for over 30 years, committed to promoting your gay parenting rights.")
Are you a gay parent who wants to find more support and meet other LGBT parents? Reconnecting with organizations that support and promote gay parenting can help you on your journey of raising healthy, well-adjusted children. Here is a top five list of the crème-de-la-crème of LGBT parenting supportive organizations.
5. P-FLAG: Parents, Friends, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Born out of a mother wanting to advocate for her gay son, P-FLAG originated in 1972. With over 40 years of serving the LGBT community and individuals who are integral to a gay person’s life, PFLAG has over 350 chapters nationwide. Offering a wide breath of resources and support groups for gay parents and LGBT youth, P-FLAG has been active in supporting gay parents who want to break through the bans on adoption and foster parenting, making schools safer for LGBT individuals, and educating straight allies on gay issues, such as bullying and discrimination. For more information, click on the following link:
http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=194&srcid=-2
3. National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce. Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force was responsible for getting the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from its list of disorders. A strong proponent of LGBT equality and political change, the Task Force has worked hard to further equal rights for gay families, providing information on LGBT family research, participating in Capitol Hill lobbying, and teaming up with state activists to crush anti-gay amendments. Hosting the annual five-day “Creating Change Conference” the Task Force has something for everybody. LGBT parents can attend workshops on gay families, bullying, and how to be a LGBT community leader. The conference is a great opportunity to educate oneself, meet like-minded people, and form lifelong connections with other gay families. Please visit http://www.creatingchange.org/ for more information.
4. HRC: Human Rights Campaign.
Want to sign a petition that supports gay parents’ rights? The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a grassroots organization that started in 1980, can lead you in the right direction. With about 1.5 million members, HRC is committed to promoting the LGBT community. With its “All Children: All Families Initiative,” HRC is working hard to help potential LGBT parents adopt children and become foster parents. From training leaders who deal with gay adoption and foster care to self-assessment for these agencies, HRC can guide prospective LGBT parents and the organizations that make gay parenting decisions. The impetus for much positive LGBT legislation on bullying, hate crimes, and same-sex marriage, HRC helps gay parents get involved in lasting change and educate themselves on parenting issues. Want to become a HRC member? Click on http://www.hrc.org/issues/parenting.
2. COLAGE: People with a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Gay Parent. Are you a LGBT parent looking for an organization that supports your children? Then, COLAGE is the resource for you. An organization dedicated to supporting LGBT parents by helping their children, gay parents and their kids have access to important information. From tips on how to come out to your children, information on donor insemination, and books that focus on gay families, the COLAGE website is a wealth of LGBT knowledge. Are you raising a straight or gay teenager? Both you and your teenager can benefit from watching the documentary “In My Shoes: Discussion and Action Guide.” The film, produced by kids of gay parents, is designed to initiate discussions about having gay parents, share personal feelings, and educate the community on LGBT issues. Does this spark your interest? Click on http://www.colage.org/ to become an active member.
1. FEC: Family Equality Council. Hitting its thirty year anniversary mark last year, the Family Equality Council (FEC) is an organization entirely devoted to gay families. Responsible for creating the Outspoken Generation, a platform and safe space for children of LGBT parents to discuss their personal experiences, the FEC supports our nation’s 3 million LGBT parents and their 6 million children. Originally started in 1979 by gay dads, the FEC has blossomed into an organization that hosts nationwide LGBT conferences, workshops, and trainings. On May 6, 2012, the FEC kicked off its first annual “International Family Equality Day’” a day where various cities celebrated gay families with fun, events, and activities. Are you interested in meeting other LGBT families for fun, food, and more? Sign up for “Family Week,” held in in Provincetown, Mass. from Aug. 3 to Aug. 10. Click here for more registration information http://www.familyequality.org/get_involved/events/annual_events/family_week/
Readers, do you know of other organizations that support LGBT parents and their families? Share it in the comments section below.
![Want to meet other gay dads who are raising children and have some fun in the process? Sign up for the Family Equality Council's (FEC) 2014 "Family Week," held in Provincetown, Mass. from Aug. 3 to Aug. 10. The FEC has been serving LGBT families for over 30 years, committed to promoting your gay parenting rights.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/62/1c/621c9cc877979cc3f60751e0439e5652.jpg?itok=dAkpgDn7 "Want to meet other gay dads who are raising children and have some fun in the process? Sign up for the Family Equality Council's (FEC) 2014 "Family Week," held in Provincetown, Mass. from Aug. 3 to Aug. 10. The FEC has been serving LGBT families for over 30 years, committed to promoting your gay parenting rights.")
![Do you worry about your son or daughter's well-being? Zach Wahls is the proud son of two lesbian mothers and a leader of the "Outspoken Generation," a platform where children of gay parents can speak out and advocate for their parents. Wahls has praised both of his gay moms, letting the world know that he has turned out just fine.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/b5/c7/b5c79610f30acc90408e7c29099dd07e.jpg?itok=I0yqiLoA "Do you worry about your son or daughter's well-being? Zach Wahls is the proud son of two lesbian mothers and a leader of the "Outspoken Generation," a platform where children of gay parents can speak out and advocate for their parents. Wahls has praised both of his gay moms, letting the world know that he has turned out just fine.")
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