Family Equality

It’s getting chillier, but there are still plenty of ways to have fun and make cherished memories with your family!🧡 At Family Weekend in the Midwest, our families enjoyed magic tricks, museum trips, and of course, some spook-tacular drag performances. Rob and Thomas, who are local to Minneapolis, said the event reinstilled a sense of belonging in their community. “We had a great time and truly appreciate all the planning that went into the weekend. It was very special to spend this time together as a family. Our kids especially loved the tour of the US Bank Stadium and all of the group activities in the main event location. We all enjoyed reconnecting with family friends and making new ones. Having access to a safe and affirming space like this for our family makes all the difference.” This weekend would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors! And this year, Family Equality is thrilled to celebrate 10 years of partnership with CARE WITH PRIDE®, an initiative powered by brands like @Neutrogena, @Tylenol, @Listerine, and @AveenoUS. Thanks to their unwavering support, we’re able to host affirming events like Family Weekend in the Midwest that bring families together and create a sense of belonging. Beyond this weekend, #CAREWITHPRIDE supports LGBTQ+ families year-round by advocating for equality, inclusivity, and care. Thank you for your continued support!

“Next summer, we celebrate the tenth anniversary of that historic decision — and while so much progress has been made in the past decade, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried.” Read the letter from Jim Obergefell, Family Equality Board Member and Lead Plaintiff in Obergefell v. Hodges, on this #GivingTuesday. There are a few more hours left and you can make an impact by gifting LGBTQ+ families the gift of hope! Take action before the end of the day, today! Donate at https://lnkd.in/e5_Ugktq

Meet the Balays, a multi-generational queer and trans family who joined us this year at Family Week 30 years after they first attended in 1994. When they pulled into Provincetown for the first time, Anne remembers Emma looking with relief at a playground filled with LGBTQ+ families. As the years passed and Anne’s kids came out as queer and trans, she saw the value of this experience even more: “My kids needed to know they’re not alone.” A lot has changed since those early days — including a new generation of Balays joining in on the fun! But the magic remains the same: To be safe, seen, and celebrated in a place where everyone treats you like family. Over 30 years, Family Equality’s beloved Family Week has grown from a small group of families seeking connection to the largest annual gathering of LGBTQ+ families in the world – a vibrant and diverse celebration of love, unity, and acceptance. Family Week, and the number of other community-building events Family Equality hosts all year-round, gives families, like the Balays, the gift of hope and be themselves, walking down the street without fear or shame and knowing they’re not alone. With only a few hours left until #GivingTuesday ends, you can help create a world where families like the Balays can be protected, supported, and celebrated no matter where they live or what their family looks like with the gift of hope. DONATE NOW: https://lnkd.in/e5_Ugktq Huge thanks to our matching gift partner Ferring Pharmaceuticals for matching the first $10,000 raised today!

Looking for some extra queer joy this holiday season? Explore Family Equality’s holiday shop, which features a range of goodies, from cozy beanies to soy candles! You can shop with pride knowing that with every purchase, you're protecting LGBTQ+ families across the country. Plus, if you donate this #GivingTuesday, you’ll receive a discount code for free shipping on orders from our store today! Check out the links below to make your donation and start shopping.✨ https://lnkd.in/e5_Ugktq https://lnkd.in/en7Jb8rM 

Meet the Johnsons, a family from Florida who adopted six siblings from foster care last year, turning their quiet house into a home bursting with the creativity, magic, and spirit of six children (they added another child to the mix since we first introduced you to them in 2023!). The joy of this family’s adoption was tempered by worries about Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay and Trans” law. Rather than wondering what was for dinner or helping with homework, they had to consider whether it was legal for their kids to discuss their family in school: “Do we have to Photoshop ourselves out of our family photo?” The good news? Family Equality, along with movement partners, sued Florida over this law, and our historic settlement this spring — which rolled back key discriminatory provisions in the law – helps the Johnsons breathe a little easier. Now, they don’t have to edit themselves from photos or silence the joy and love of their family. They can live authentically and be the Johnson family, party of nine. YOU can help create a world where families like the Johnsons can be protected, supported, and celebrated no matter where they live or what their family looks like, which is why we invite you to celebrate with us on #GivingTuesday! By donating, you make this world possible! Donate today: https://lnkd.in/e5_Ugktq Huge thanks to our matching gift partner Ferring Pharmaceuticals for matching the first $10,000 raised today!

Hope starts here!❤️🌈 At Family Equality, our work is driven by three simple values: love, family, and freedom. No matter how the legislative landscape changes, no matter what obstacles we face, we will always work to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ families. This #GivingTuesday, consider supporting our mission by visiting the link below, and help us ensure legal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ families. And you can make your impact go twice as far! Every dollar given on GivingTuesday, up to $10,000, will be matched thanks to our generous partner Ferring Pharmaceuticals! https://lnkd.in/e5_Ugktq Scott Gatz alexis kantor Beck Fineman Weston Charles-Gallo Don Hribek Alvin McCray Nancy Lyons Scott Ammarell Eliseo Arebalos Adair Curtis Rahsaan DeLain Anthony Hynes Vanessa Leon, MBA Doug London Jim Obergefell Debbie Rice Stephen Switzer Bethany Snyder, MPP

TOMORROW: You can make your impact go TWICE AS FAR! Every dollar given on #GivingTuesday, up to $10,000, will be matched thanks to our generous partner Ferring Pharmaceuticals! As you consider which organizations to support on December 3, we invite you to give to Family Equality so we can continue:  1. Providing LGBTQ+ families with the critical support and information they need to make informed decisions about themselves and their families;  2. Creating spaces for LGBTQ+ families to feel safe and loved;  3. Sharing the stories of LGBTQ+ families so the truth of who we are cannot be twisted;  4. Pushing back against anti-LGBTQ+ forces and moving forward on the path towards progress. Remember, together, we can create a world where every family is celebrated, cherished, and protected. Feeling generous? Donate TODAY! Scott Gatz alexis kantor Beck Fineman Weston Charles-Gallo Don Hribek Alvin McCray Nancy Lyons Scott Ammarell Eliseo Arebalos Adair Curtis Rahsaan DeLain Anthony Hynes Vanessa Leon, MBA Doug London Jim Obergefell Debbie Rice Stephen Switzer Bethany Snyder, MPP

It’s the perfect time of year to bundle up and go on an autumn adventure with your loved ones — which is exactly what we did at Family Weekend in the Midwest!🍁✨ Last month in Minneapolis, families came together for a magical weekend filled with games, crafts, and trunk or treating! Tony and Dan Porter attended with their children and were especially thrilled to spend so much time with other LGBTQ+ families. “The environment and activities helped our family to feel more accepted in the community, and we were able to create new friendships with other parents — plus, our kids made some new friends!” said Dan. “We are so thankful for Family Equality and the sponsors for hosting this event in the MN Twin Cities.” This event would not have been possible without the support of CARE WITH PRIDE®, which is powered by brands like Neutrogena, Tylenol, Listerine, and Aveeno. This initiative continues to demonstrate true allyship and show genuine care for our families. Thanks to #CAREWITHPRIDE, we know our families are well looked after — whether they’re stocking their homes for flu season or enjoying fall fun at Family Weekend in the Midwest! Thank you!🧡🍂

NEXT WEEK: On December 3, we’re inviting you to join us in celebrating #GivingTuesday, the global day of generosity! Gift LGBTQ+ families the gift of hope and there's many ways you can help celebrate with us! 1. Donate. Your gift allows us to continue our vital work for LGBTQ+ families. 2. Create a fundraiser. Empower your networks to get in on the fun 3. Spread the word. Post on social media and sending emails to your network. And don't forget that you can make your impact go twice as far! Every dollar given on GivingTuesday, up to $10,000, will be matched thanks to our generous partner Ferring Pharmaceuticals Feeling generous? Donate TODAY! Scott Gatz alexis kantor Beck Fineman Weston Charles-Gallo Don Hribek Alvin McCray Nancy Lyons Scott Ammarell Eliseo Arebalos Adair Curtis Rahsaan DeLain Anthony Hynes Vanessa Leon, MBA Doug London Jim Obergefell Debbie Rice Stephen Switzer Bethany Snyder, MPP

This year, more than 550 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state legislatures, many of which targeted LGBTQ+ youth and families specifically. But we know what’s possible when we work together, like families do. On December 3, we’re inviting you to join us in celebrating GivingTuesday, the global day of generosity! Make your impact go twice as far! Every dollar given on GivingTuesday, up to $10,000, will be matched thanks to our generous partner Ferring Pharmaceuticals Scott Gatz alexis kantor Beck Fineman Weston Charles-Gallo Don Hribek Alvin McCray Nancy Lyons Scott Ammarell Eliseo Arebalos Adair Curtis Rahsaan DeLain Anthony Hynes Vanessa Leon, MBA Doug London Jim Obergefell Debbie Rice Stephen Switzer Bethany Snyder, MPP