Ninth Annual Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day

On Monday, June 2, 2014, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer bloggers, their family members, and allies from across the U.S. and around the world will celebrate the ninth annual Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day.

The event, developed and run by the award-winning LGBTQ-parenting site Mombian, and sponsored by Family Equality Council, aims to raise awareness of LGBTQ 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 in the event in past years, including parents across the LGBTQ spectrum, LGBTQ individuals without children, and non-LGBTQ allies. This year, Residence Inn by Marriott will host an in-person celebration for LGBTQ families and friends the day before the blogging event. The event will take place at the Residence Inn Boston Back Bay-Fenway on June 1.

Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day is held each year 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.

“Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day is always a wonderful time to share our stories and the varied lives and perspectives of LGBTQ families and allies,” said Dana Rudolph, founder and publisher of Mombian. “While we are starting to see more and more LGBTQ families in mainstream media, there are always more stories to be told.”

“This is another great opportunity for our community to collectively raise our voices in support of fairness for all families,” said Brent Wright, Family Equality Council’s Director of Programs.  “We know that our stories are changing hearts, minds and laws across this country every day. Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day will provide a great platform to further share those stories with an even wider audience.”

“Residence Inn by Marriott is dedicated to enhancing the travel experience for all families who stay with us,” said Diane Mayer, vice president and global brand manager, Residence Inn. “We support the LGBTQ community and are excited to partner with Dana Rudolph and Family Equality Council to host a June 1 celebration.”

• To participate in the blogging event, bloggers should post at their own blogs, YouTube channels, or other public social media channels on a topic related to LGBTQ families on or before June 2, 2014, then visit www.mombian.com to submit the links to their entries. Mombian will showcase the full list of participants on June 2. All bloggers and tweeters who support LGBTQ families are welcome to participate.
• Additionally, people may tweet in support of LGBTQ families on June 2 and include the hashtag #lgbtqfamilies. Mombian will display the tweets in a scrolling box at www.mombian.com throughout the day. The hashtag can also be followed using most popular Twitter software.
• Families wishing to attend the LGBTQ Families Celebration in Boston the day before, on June 1, must RSVP via mombian.com. Space is limited, and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

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

Photo By Kurt Löwenstein Educational Center International Team from Germany (ws’08 (5)) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons