history ::

> How We Began ::
> How We Expanded ::
> Family Pride Today ::

> How We Began ::

In 1979 a group of gay fathers got together and formed the group that would eventually become Family Pride. Knowing that there were other gay dads out there somewhere, they were committed to finding one another and forming a network of support.

> How We Expanded ::

Originally called the Gay Fathers Coalition, in 1986 this fathers’ group expanded to include lesbian moms, prompting a name change to the Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition International (GLPCI), a volunteer grassroots chapter-based organization whose primary purpose was to connect with and support local gay and lesbian parenting groups, while advancing the cause of the lesbian and gay parenting community.

Children of LGBTQ parents have unique needs and learn, grow and find support with one another. In 1990, a group of youth convened and initiated a new program of GLPCI, called Just For Us. By the mid 1990’s that group had established a steering committee and separate program status, and shortly thereafter the group changed its name to Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE). In 1999, the GLPCI Board of Directors endorsed the wishes of COLAGE to become an independent organization, operating under its own tax-exempt status. COLAGE became an independent organization on January 1, 1999.

In 1998, recognizing our growing movement and the need to lead by being inclusive examples, GLPCI changed its name to the Family Pride Coalition in order to include bisexual and transgender parents.

> Family Pride Today :: our vision, our mission, and our office

Family Pride is proud to be the national non-profit organization dedicated to securing family equality. Maintaining the focus of LGBT parents and their families, in 2005, Family Pride expanded our mission and embraced the fight for full family equality for all loving families. We recognize and believe that the laws, provisions and ordinances that hurt LGBTQ-headed families also hurt so many others—single parents, blended families, families of color, etc. To that end, Family Pride is standing strong to defeat anti-family legislation and promote pro-family legislation.

In the past few years Family Pride has enjoyed unprecedented growth, including attaining a creative, robust and committed board of directors now numbering 18 strong.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, Family Pride continues to work with other progressive national and state-based organizations, local parents groups and families, friends and allies to make change, share information and build community. We are absolutely committed to achieving family equality in our lifetime!