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kyLGBT.org - Kentucky Equality Federation Community Outreach: Children of LGBTI Parents

Julia Oiler Spiegel
Children of LGBTI Parents Outreach Director
COLAGE - Northern Kentucky Chapter

Ms. Spiegel is in charge of the Northern Kentucky Chapter of COLAGE.  On February 12, 2010, Kentucky Equality Federation named the Northern Kentucky Chapter of COLAGE (Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere), specifically, Julia Oiler Spiegel, as its official statewide representative for Children of LGBTI Parents. 

In the United States, there are anywhere between four and fourteen million children who have at least one lesbian or gay parent and within these values anywhere from one to nine million children are currently being raised in same-sex parent households.

Children within these households face minority problems and the ability to cope with their situation can often be overwhelming.

The process for children to become comfortable with their lifestyle is often disrupted by different outside influences such as the "negative portrayals, misinformation, and the constant public debate about GLBT rights."

Current challenges also include the necessity to incorporate children of LGBTI parents in the debates about LGBTI rights.

COLAGE's basic core values:

1. We value the basic principle that love makes a family.
2. We value a pluralistic definition of family and parent(s) encompassing a variety of kinship structures including: immediate families, extended families, partners, straight spouses, family structures which are marginalized in our society including single parent families, multiracial families, international families, and families with disabilities.
3.  We value the family as a powerful agent of social and cultural change.
4. We value the experiences of our youth and families, acknowledging and honoring the struggle that many families face from externally imposed barriers, limitations, obstacles, and oppressions.
5. We value the idea that as COLAGErs, we are the authorities of our own experience.
6. We value our ability to express all parts of our lives and families freely and in all places.
7. We value our allies, who include a broad array of progressive organizations and individuals, all of whom support the rights of all youth, and every family, to thrive and grow.
8. We value coalition building with our allies, who recognize the value of organizing across differences and who are committed to creating the world we envision through positive action.
9. We value youth-driven, consensus-oriented governance within our organization.
10. We value seeking creative, fun ways to meet our ends.
    

Last Updated (2010-02-19 23:33:52)