I hope many of you will join in the fun with blog posts, vlog episodes, public Facebook posts, or tweets! Please spread the word. Here’s the official announcement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dana Rudolph, drudolph@mombian.com

12th Annual Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day is June 1

BOSTON, May 2, 2017: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals, their family members, and allies are invited to blog or post on social media in celebration and support of LGBTQ families on the 12th Annual Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day, Thursday, June 1, 2017. The event, developed and run by the award-winning LGBTQ-parenting site Mombian, and sponsored by Family Equality Council, GLAAD, and the Human Rights Campaign, aims to share the stories of LGBTQ families and their allies, raising awareness of their diversity, their challenges, and their joys.

Hundreds of bloggers have taken part in past years, including parents across the LGBTQ spectrum, LGBTQ individuals without children, children of LGBTQ parents, and non-LGBTQ allies. The event is held at the start of June, between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, in order to honor both, but also to convey that not all families fit into the traditional structure of one mother and one father. Additionally, June is LGBTQ Pride Month.

“Family Equality Council has been a proud partner of Mombian for years, but last year’s election makes telling the stories of LGBTQ families even more imperative. Those who support us as a community are buoyed by our stories. Those who are indifferent to us are educated by our stories. Those who fear or dislike us are forced to confront the stereotypes that too often run contrary to our stories. Now is the right time to share these stories.” said The Reverend Stan Sloan, CEO of Family Equality Council.

“Sharing stories of LGBTQ families is a powerful way to amplify experiences and perspectives that are not well represented in the media,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President and CEO. “These stories increase understanding of the LGBTQ community and help move the needle forward on acceptance.”

“Every year, Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day serves as an important reminder that LGBTQ families are as diverse as the entire population of the U.S. Our paths to creating our families and our everyday experiences as LGBTQ families differ widely and give us each our unique identity. By sharing our stories we can illuminate the incredible depth and breadth of LGBTQ families, while continuing to remind others that we are all connected by the shared values of love, connection, and belonging,” said Ellen Kahn, Director of HRC’s Children, Youth, and Families Program.

“Telling our stories can be a powerful act of community,” said Dana Rudolph, founder and publisher of Mombian. “We strengthen each other and help those around us to better understand our families.”

To participate, bloggers should post at their own blogs, YouTube channels, or in a public Facebook or other social media post on a topic related to LGBTQ families on or before June 1, 2017, then visit mombian.com to submit the links to their entries. Mombian will showcase the full list of participants on June 1.

Additionally, people may tweet in support of LGBTQ families on June 1 and include the hashtag #LGBTQfamilies.

Anyone who supports LGBTQ families is welcome to participate — there is no need to be LGBTQ or a parent.

For more details and promotional banners, visit mombian.com and click the “Blogging for LGBTQ Families” image.

About the Organizer and Sponsors

Mombian: Sustenance for Lesbian Moms (www.mombian.com) offers a daily mix of parenting, politics, and diversions for lesbian moms and other LGBTQ parents. It won as “Outstanding Blog” in the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards, given in March 2012. The site was founded in June 2005 by Dana Rudolph, a journalist, marketer, and lesbian mom who also pens a regular “Mombian” column for several LGBTQ newspapers.

Family Equality Council works to ensure legal and lived equality for LGBTQ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change. For almost forty years we have raised our children and raised our voices toward fairness for all families. To learn more, visit www.familyequality.org.

GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community. www.hrc.org.