FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“It’s important for me to use my voice to help the world understand and become more open-minded about LGBTQ families.”
Washington, DC, April 3, 2014- Family Equality Council®, the national organization which connects, supports, and represents the estimated three million parents who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer in the United States and their six million children of all ages, today announced that Danish supermodel, Josephine Skriver will join its Outspoken Generation® Program, which empowers those with LGBTQ parents to speak out for their families.
Josephine, who has walked for brands like Calvin Klein, Dolce and Gabbana, Chanel, Victoria’s Secret, and many others, was raised by a lesbian mother who is an IT analyst, and her gay father who is a marine biologist, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her mom started their family by putting a listing in a gay publication seeking a gay male who also wanted to have children. Josephine has a brother who has the same parents and the family remains very close.
“I have always been super proud of my parents. They raised me with unconditional love and helped me become the person I am today,” Josephine said. “Now it’s important for me to use my voice to help the world understand and become more open-minded about LGBTQ families. I am proud to join the Family Equality Council’s Outspoken Generation® Program.”
The Outspoken Generation® Program amplifies the voices of the children of LGBTQ parents and gives its young advocates the opportunity to share their stories and advance family equality both legally and throughout society.
“We are honored to welcome Josephine Skriver to our Outspoken Generation® Program,” said, Family Equality Council® Executive Director, Gabriel Blau. “For decades we have been raising our children to tell their truths. Today, adult children of LGBTQ parents, like Josephine, are dispelling myths about our families and changing the national dialogue about family values. As we continue to advocate for family equality across the country, Josephine’s unique and authentic story will undoubtedly help to advance the cause.”
Josephine has been in campaigns for Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Bulgari, Max Mara, Michael Kors, DKNY, and more. She has also worked with Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia, Tim Walker for American Vogue and Greg Kadel for German Vogue, among others.
The Outspoken Generation® program is co-chaired by Ella Robinson, daughter of the first openly-gay bishop, Gene Robinson, and internationally-recognized LGBTQ activist, Zach Wahls. Outspoken Generation® stories were used in Voices of Children, an amicus brief filed for the DOMA and Prop 8 cases; this brief was a key to victory in the US Supreme Court. Family Equality Council® recently filed a similar brief in Utah’s marriage equality case, now pending in federal court.
For more information about the Outspoken Generation® Program, visit: www.familyequality.org/outspoken
Read more about Skriver’s story in this Fashionista.com Q & A: http://fashionista.com/2013/07/how-one-model-is-using-her-personal-story-to-fight-for-marriage-equality/
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Contact: Cindi Creager, CreagerCole Communications
(646) 279-4559, cindi@creagercole.com