On Tuesday, February 8th, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm, an educational symposium for the public will be held at the San Francisco LGBT Center at 1800 Market Street at Octavia. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Family Collaborative is pleased to present a special panel of youth and young adults with LGBT parents sharing their personal stories about growing up with LGBT parents, addressing the challenges they have faced, and suggesting ways that LGBT parents, the LGBT community, and the community at large can support children from alternative families.
Challenges and victories in school, experiences with peers, advice to parents of younger children, perspective parents, teachers, and allies, their views on LGBT political issues, and their place within our queer communities, are some of the topics the panel will address. Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions- this is your chance to hear a unique perspective on LGBT families- from the kids that are in them.
Panelists are members of the COLAGE Youth Leadership and Action Program, a
group of high school and college youth with diverse family backgrounds who
share the experience of having an LGBT parent(s). The YLAP program brings
together youth for skill building, leadership development, and peer support
and works on advocacy projects to raise awareness about their experiences
and their families in the Bay Area. Panelists include youth whose families
were created by adoption, donor-insemination, and previously heterosexual
unions and have dealt with divorce, mixed-race family issues, prejudice in
school and much more.
While the panel specifically invites an audience of LGBT parents with
children of all ages, prospective LGBT parents, LGBT family members, and
direct service workers who interface with children of LGBT parents, the
panel is open to all community members who are curious about the unique
experience of growing up in an LGBT family.
"If you wonder how kids with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents
react to homophobic judges, lawmakers, religious leaders, peers and school
administrators, this is your chance to find out," says Executive Director
Beth Teper. "COLAGE youth members speak truth to power every day, turning
personal experiences of rejection, harassment and discrimination into
political statements for social equity and justice for all."
Childcare provided in the fabulous KidSpace for young children. If children
are in diapers, please RSVP to (415) 865-5553.
Transportation Information:
Please use public transportation to access The Center. Limited street
parking available. The MUNI METRO LINES J,K,L,M,N, the F STREETCAR, or MUNI BUS LINES 6,7,9, 10, 14, 21, 26, 47, 49, 66 and 71 all run within 5 blocks
of the Center, many run within 1 block. Also, take BART to SF Civic Center,
then transfer to Muni Metro or F lines.
