Groups for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ)
parents build community power and are valuable resources for the
family equality movement. Moreover, they’re a great place to share
ideas, discuss parenting tips and to find support.
parents build community power and are valuable resources for the
family equality movement. Moreover, they’re a great place to share
ideas, discuss parenting tips and to find support.
Here are six tips that will make your parents group experience even
more spectacular:
- Don’t reinvent the wheel. If you want to be a
part of a parents group, there may already be one in your local
community to join. Family Pride offers a vast state-by-state
listing of local groups. Check it
out. - Establish a regular meeting time. It builds
momentum and creates structure. - Harness the power of the internet (and recognize its
limits). The internet may be your most powerful tool in
working with your parents group or starting a group from scratch.
Meetup.com
offers countless LGBTQ parents meetups across the country. Tap into
their network. Consider creating a Yahoo or Google group to
organize your members. But remember, the internet is a means, not
an end. The internet is not inclusive of all communities,
especially lower-income communities. Don’t do all of your outreach
online. - Build partners and coalitions. Don’t go it
alone. Reach out to local LGBTQ friendly businesses and churches,
bookstores, schools and local LGBTQ papers. You’ll be able to
secure resources like free advertising or meeting space if you
reach out. - Organize. The most effective parents groups
are organized with phone trees, mission statements and written
outreach plans. If you don’t know how to create these, download the
resources from Family Pride’s Parents Group
Corner. - Have fun. And keep in touch with Family Pride
for ideas or resources.
Do you have any additional parents group tips? If so, we want to
hear them. Leave a comment.