Talking with Your Children about Homosexuality – featuring Dr. Kim Bergman, co-chair of the Family Pride Board of Directors
http://gayparenting.thepodcastnetwork.com/

INDIANA EQUALITY TO HOST LOBBY TRAINING, ‘OUR FAMILIES COUNT’ RALLY AT STATEHOUSE

On Thurs., Feb. 9, Indiana Equality will host the “Our Families Count” rally at the Indiana Statehouse North Atrium, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. Representatives from many local groups will be in attendance, and special speakers will begin at 1:30pm. Let us know you're coming - click here!

LGBT families are hurt by any bill that seeks not to recognize our relationships and families, but bills such as House Bill 1335 and House Bill 1202 could do much more than not recognize us -- they can keep us from adopting children or forming our families in other ways by "preferring" heterosexual couples over same-sex couples or single people.

HB 1335 (preference for marriage over other relationships) and HB 1202 (preference for marriage; instruction by schools) are both authored by Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton). Both bills would have Indiana law declare that marriage is preferred, encourage and supported over any other domestic relationship. Additionally, it would require that public schools not allow instruction that is contrary to policies established by law concerning marriage. HB 1335 has been sent to the House Public Policy and Veterans Affairs Committee, and HB 1202 has been sent to the House Education Committee. Neither has yet been scheduled for consideration.

Family Pride and Indiana Equality urge you to contact your State Representative and let him/her know of your concerns regarding HB 1202 and HB 1335.

Prior to the Feb. 9 rally, from 9:30-11:30am, LGBT-headed families and our supporters are encouraged to participate in “Lobbying Your Legislators 101.” This valuable opportunity to learn how to lobby your elected officials will take place at the Christ Church Cathedral on Monument Circle. Space is limited to the first 75 registrants and cost is just $5 for the training materials and a continental breakfast. Register for your slot today.

For more information, visit Indiana Equality at http://www.indianaequality.org .

VIRGINIA FAMILIES MAKE IMPACT ON LEGISLATION

As we previously informed you, Virginia’s HB 187, introduced by Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas) would have prohibited doctors and other licensed health professionals from assisting unmarried women with becoming pregnant. This would have precluded lesbian couples from becoming a family through donor insemination, gay couples from becoming a family through surrogacy, unless the surrogate was married, and would even prevent a widow from being inseminated with her deceased husband's sperm or their embryos. Thanks to the hard work of our coalition partners at Equality Virginia and to the Family Pride members who responded, this measure was defeated in the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee.

In addition, last week the Senate’s Health and Education Committee voted down SB 414, a measure that would have prohibited both parties of a same-sex couple from being listed on a Virginia birth certificate following the adoption of a child in another jurisdiction. A reaction to a favorable ruling from the Virginia Supreme Court last summer, this bill was defeated 8-7. (Longtime Family Pride supporters, the Tim Fisher/Scott Davenport family were plaintiffs in this case.)

You can send a free email today to thank those committee members who voted to defeat this bill. It is important that legislators hear from us following these votes, as well as before. Contact Equality Virginia for more information at (804) 643-4816 or visit http://www.equalityvirginia.org.

EQUALITY MARYLAND INVITES FAMILIES TO TAKE PART IN RALLY, LOBBY DAY

Maryland is a state that has been successful in gaining rights and protections for families like ours, and it would not have happened without the help from you! However, bills that would hurt our families have been filed and there is still time for Maryland legislators to either do the right thing, do the wrong thing or to file more damaging legislation! These legislators need to hear from the families that this legislation will hurt.

We urge families to join Family Pride and Equality Maryland and hundreds of supporters of the LGBT community as we go to Annapolisto meet with our elected officials. This is your opportunity to talk face-to-face with the people who represent you in the General Assembly.

Last year, almost 1000 people attended the lobby day rally in Annapolis and we saw significant gains with the passage of several pro-LGBT bills by the General Assembly. Equality Maryland is looking to double the number this year! On Mon., Feb. 13 , we will rally to stop the constitutional amendment to ban protections for gay and lesbian families and to speak out against the growing anti-gay movement in Maryland. The voices of families are so important at lobby day and at the rally, so we urge Family Pride members and supporters to stand with Equality Maryland on this important day! To sign up for Equality Maryland’s lobby day, click here.

Also, please join Equality Maryland for a special event on Mon., Feb. 27 in Baltimore for an important town hall meeting, “Children of Same-Sex Couples Speak Out.” For more information, visit http://www.equalitymaryland.org.

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***The Family Pride Coalition does not necessarily endorse or encourage participation, and assumes no responsibility for these independent projects. This is an informational service only.***

Logo Seeking Subjects for Documentary on Work/Parenting Balance

Award-winning documentary filmmakers seek dynamic subjects for a sensitive, smart documentary called "Out at Work.” This one-hour documentary will air on LOGO, the LGBT network from Viacom and MTV Networks, and will profile Americans who are out -- or coming out -- in the workplace. The work-life balance as experienced by straight parents is well known, but what about LGBT parents?

If you are planning on coming out at work, but worried about the repercussions and how it may affect your children; starting a new job or position which will somehow affect your work as a parent, e.g. working nights, shifting from part-time to full-time, traveling etc.; working in an environment that you feel is hostile to LGBT employees; or are only partially out at work, but planning to take a bigger step then we want to hear from you!

Please e-mail your story, along with your name, where you live, your phone number and e-mail and a photo, if possible, to OutAtWork@aol.com.