Upcoming events:

*A Dialogue with LGBTQ Families of Color

Project Harmony, an initiative of Family Equality Council, is proud to present to you A Dialogue with LGBTQ Families of Color.

A Dialogue with LGBTQ Families of Color is part of our Listening Tour Series. This series looks to collects stories, experiences, issues and concerns of LGBTQ-headed families of color and mixed-race families as we move to create “The State of LGBTQ Families of Color” and use the information to shape the programs and policies of Family Equality Council.

For more information, contact Lisbeth Melendez Rivera at 202.520.1817.

About Project Harmony

Project Harmony is a program that engages lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and queer (LGBTQ) families of color by working with national, state and local collaborators on issues of racial and economic justice. Ultimately, Project Harmony will give voice to the feedback and concerns of LGBTQ parents of color to be integrated into a national model of service that includes for all families everywhere.

The project stems from a deep organizational recognition that we have failed to represent a large portion of the LGBTQ family community – those families that include and/or are headed by people of color.  It also reflects the organization’s commitment to addressing multiple forms of oppression.  We are especially grateful to the Arcus Foundation for providing the initial funding to launch this initiative. 

Family Equality Council is thrilled that Lisbeth Meléndez Rivera, a twenty-year veteran of the movement, will manage Project Harmony. Ms. Meléndez Rivera brings a passion to working across lines of difference to build a strong foundation toward giving a voice to all of our families.

In the near future you will begin seeing posting, events, and materials for Project Harmony. We look forward to engaging all of you as we moved forward and welcome and encourage your feedback!  To share your thoughts and ideas feel free to contact us at harmony@familyequality.org

Mission Statement

Project Harmony is a voice for families of color within and outside of Family Equality Council. As such our mission as a program is to actively:

• raise issues relevant to our combined oppressions, leading us to challenge ourselves and the overall LGBTQ movement on our assumptions and actions;
• raise and promote an anti-oppression agenda with, for and by our 40,000+ constituent membership, partnerships and programs;
• promote racial equality and economic opportunities that include, but are not limited to, access to services, maintaining cultural heritage in mixed race adoptions, building community for those in mixed raced families, and to support and work collectively with other local, statewide, and national organizations to address oppression

Family Equality Council through Project Harmony, commits to do all of the above within a paradigm that promotes equality, encourages leadership and empowers communities of color.

Project Harmony’s Vision

Project Harmony is a voice for families of color within and outside of Family Equality Council. Our vision is to promote racial equality and economic opportunities that include, but are not limited to, access to services, maintaining cultural heritage in mixed-race adoptions, building community for those in mixed-race families and to support and work collectively with other local, statewide and national organizations to address oppression.

VOICES, The Project Harmony Advisory Council

The Project Harmony Advisory Council, VOICES, is a group of 10-12 individuals who assists Family Equality Council’s Project Harmony implement the initiative’s goals:

• assisting on the cross community work needed to succeed;
• ensuring all programs and materials of Family Equality Council are culturally relevant, inclusive, and accessible to Families of Color;
• helping increase the visibility of Families of Color;
• ensuring the issues and concerns of Families of Color are part of the overall national  dialogue on LBTGQ family equality.