FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Contact:
Cathy Renna, Renna Communications, 917-757-6123, cathy@rennacommunications.com
Simon Aronoff, Renna Communications, 202-510-6705, simon@rennacommunications.com
Family Equality Council and Rainbow Families Combine Efforts to Support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Parents
Minneapolis-based Rainbow Families to Join National Efforts of Family Equality Council
BOSTON, MA — Family Equality Council is thrilled to announce that Rainbow Families of Minnesota will be joining our national efforts to better support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents and families in the Midwest and across the country. By consolidating the impactful work of Rainbow Families into the national vision of Family Equality Council, lesbian gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) parents will enjoy an increased level of service, support and representation. Rainbow Families will continue to be represented locally by the Rainbow Families Regional Advisory Council, made up of members from the upper Midwest region.
Family Equality Council is the national advocacy organization dedicated to securing family equality for LGBT parents, guardians and allies. Family Equality Council connects LGBT families nationwide to assist parents in dealing with discrimination so they may better support and advocate for their children at all phases of life.
“We are very excited to have Rainbow Families join Family Equality Council,” said Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director of the Family Equality Council. “We see a bright future ahead for our families, and hope to export the local-level best practices that Rainbow Families has developed over the last 13 years to benefit LGBT parents in other parts of the country, while maintaining diverse and robust programming in Minnesota . This is a wonderful step forward in building a world that recognizes, respects, protects and celebrates all loving families.”
For over a decade, Rainbow Families has been a well-recognized regional leader in building a safe, just and affirming world for LGBT parents and their children. The Minneapolis-based group is particularly well known for organizing and hosting the largest conference for LGBT families in the nation, its active volunteer services programs, and supporting and advocating for over 2,000 LGBT families throughout Minnesota and the upper Midwest .
“As the past executive director of Rainbow Families, I can attest to how invaluable and inspirational the organization’s work is to both our families and the community at large,” said Laura Smidzik, Former Executive Director. “To most effectively and efficiently continue to serve LGBT families in the upper Midwest , I am pleased that Rainbow Families is connecting our vital, local organization with a successful national one. I look forward to seeing Rainbow Families continue to deliver excellent programs and advocacy regionally, and to serve as a model for other local communities as well.”
The Family Equality Council and Rainbow Families will officially announce the merger Saturday, April 12th at the 2008 13th Annual Rainbow Families Conference in Minneapolis.
About the Family Equality Council
Family Equality Council is proud to be the national non-profit organization dedicated to securing family equality. 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 Equality Council is standing strong to defeat anti-family legislation and promote pro-family legislation. For more information, please visit www.familyequality.org.