Eighth Annual Blogging for LGBT Families Day

Brunch at HYC

One of the pernicious lies promoted by Christofascist hate groups is that gay marriage "deprives children of a mother and father."   Never mind that civil law marriage rights for same sex couples has absolutely nothing to do with heterosexual parenting.  Never mind that half of heterosexual marriages end in divorce and that millions of children do not have a traditional family comprised opposite sex parents happily living together.  Never mind that there are large numbers of children being passed around from foster home to foster home who need a stable home with two loving parents of any gender.  And never mind that - as this blog reveals from time to time - far too many heterosexual parents are unfit parents who harm their children through abuse, deprivation of medical care (often because of lunatic religious beliefs).   No one cares less about the truth and honesty in my view than the Christofascists and their claim that children will be "deprived of a mother and father" is aimed merely at triggering bigotry among the most ignorant of voters.  The folks at the National Organization for Marriage, Family Research Council, American Family Association, and yes, at the Vatican, and numerous anti-gay hate groups ultimately do not give a damn about children.  Why else would they actively work to harm children living in families headed by same sex couples?  

To counter the Christofascist lies, an effort called the "Annual Blogging for LGBT Families Day" was started to show case the reality that LGBT headed families exist, that we are just as normal and diverse as other families, and that our children deserve all of the benefits and rights that arise from having parents who are legally married and afforded full citizenship.  My blogger friend and fellow LGBT Blogger Summit alumni Dana Rudolph is heading up this year's effort which will the eighth year that the effort is taking place.  Here is a press release on the event this year:

On Monday, June 3, 2013, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender bloggers, their family members, and allies will celebrate the eighth annual Blogging for LGBT Families Day. The event, developed and run by the award-winning LGBT-parenting site Mombian, and sponsored by the Family Equality Council, aims to raise awareness of LGBT families, their diverse natures, and how current prejudices and laws have a negative impact on their lives and children. Hundreds of bloggers have taken part over the past years.
 
The event is held each year at the start of June, between Mother's Day and Father's Day, in order to honor both equally, but also to convey that not all families fit into the traditional structure of one mother and one father. June is also LGBT Pride Month, making it doubly appropriate.

"The stories shared on Blogging for LGBT Families Day are always a wonderful mix of experiences and perspectives," said Dana Rudolph, founder and publisher of Mombian. "They have included parents across the LGBT spectrum, LGBT individuals without children, and non-LGBT allies. The stories range from the personal to the political, the poignant to the humorous."

 “This is a great opportunity for our community to collectively raise our voices in support of fairness for all families,” said Steve Majors, Family Equality Council Director of Communications.” “We know that our stories are changing hearts, minds and laws across this country and Blogging for LGBT Families Day will provide a great platform to share those stories with a wide audience.”

● To participate, blog at your own blog on a topic related to LGBT families on or before June 3, 2013. Then visit www.mombian.com to submit the link to your entry. Mombian will showcase the full list of participants on June 3.

● You can also create a video and upload it to YouTube or other video sharing service, tag it “lgbtfamilies,” and submit the link at Mombian.

● Additionally, tweet in support of LGBT families on June 3 and include the hashtag #lgbtfamilies. Mombian will display the tweets in a scrolling box at www.mombian.com throughout the day. You can also follow the hashtag using most popular Twitter software.

 All bloggers and tweeters who support LGBT families are welcome to contribute, whether they are LGBT or not, or parents or not.
 
For more details and promotional banners, visit www.mombian.com and click the "Blogging for LGBT Families" banner.

This blog will be participating.  I encourage readers to check out Dana's blog, Mombian and some of the stories and examples of LGBT family life that will be showcased.     One of the most effective ways to counter hate group sponsored lies is to live one's life openly and share our normalcy with others who may not know that we - just like they - have loving families.  On a personal note, I think the boyfriend and I have opened some eyes at the Hampton Yacht Club when were have been at the Easter and Mother's Day brunches with his dad and brother and my daughter, my son-in-law and my granddaughter.   LGBT families do not fit the stereotypes that the haters seek to disseminate.  Thankfully, more and more Americans seem to be realizing this truth.