Yes, June Is Pride Month, But Today Is For LGBTQ+ Families

Today, June 1, is the not only the beginning of the month in which lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and those who identify as transgender and queer celebrate their Pride. It is also the 17th annual LGBTQ Families Day: A day established to celebrate the many kinds of families in every state and in almost every county of the U.S., where LGBTQ+ people live their authentic lives.

This event, the brainchild of the award-winning LGBTQ+ parenting site Mombian, is sponsored by Family Equality, PFLAG National, GLAAD, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), and COLAGE. Its aim is to raise awareness of the diversity, challenges, and joys of all LGBTQ+ families—found, formed, and chosen—who exist throughout our society.

To take part, being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer or any other gender identity or sexual orientation; Anyone and everyone who supports LGBTQ+ families is welcome to participate.

• Post, tweet, or share a message or photo on any social media platform with the hashtag #LGBTQFamiliesDay
• Follow the hashtag #LGBTQFamiliesDay and share the stories, images, and thoughts from other participants.

LGBTQ Families Day got its start in 2006 as Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day. The event is held at the start of June, intentionally smack-dab between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, in order to honor parents who identify as moms and dads, but also to highlight that not all families fit into the traditional structure of one mother and one father.

“LGBTQ Families Day has broadened in scope over the years to include the vast number of families that include LGBTQ people,” said Dana Rudolph, founder and publisher of Mombian, in a statement. “It is a day to celebrate all our families and show our mutual commitment to learn from and support each other as we work towards a shared vision of inclusion and equality for all.”

“For nearly two decades, Family Equality has had the pleasure of partnering with Mombian for #LGBTQFamiliesDay, and this year it feels more important than ever,” said Stacey Stevenson, CEO of Family Equality. “At a time when we’re fighting hundreds of legislative attacks on our youth and families across the country, #LGBTQFamiliesDay reminds us that no matter what politicians in Florida or Texas might say, our existence is a gift, and we should be celebrated not just for one day or one month, but all year-round.”

“When our children were younger, my wife and I had real difficulty finding content where our kids could see families like their own,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Visibility of LGBTQ families is critical, not only to provide our families with moments to relate to, but to humanize our families to the world at a time when attacks against LGBTQ people and families continue to grow. On LGBTQ Families Day this year, let’s send a loud message about the beauty and diversity of LGBTQ families and also pay homage to Mombian and other LGBTQ media outlets that ensure our visibility is front and center throughout the year.”

“LGBTQ Families Day is such a wonderful opportunity to honor the many beautiful ways our families come to be,” said Polly Crozier, Senior Staff Attorney at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). “We’re so happy to partner with Mombian to lift up our families’ diverse stories and to affirm that all our families deserve to be celebrated and protected under the law.”

Find out more at mombian.com