Rainbow Families DC Conference Coming in April

Want an excuse to visit the U.S. capital? Or do you live there and want to socialize with other LGBT families while being entertained by one of the funniest lesbian moms around? You’re in luck. Rainbow Families DC is holding its biennial 2014 Family Conference, “a day of learning, networking and fellowship,” on Saturday, April 26. LGBT parents, their children, family members, and prospective parents are all invited.

The event, presented by CT Fertility and Pink & Blue Surrogacy and Fertility, LLC., will run from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. at Georgetown Day School (4200 Davenport St NW high school campus) in Washington, DC. The Conference keynote will be given by Judy Gold, Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian.

The conference will host parents and families, expert panelists, service providers, businesses, schools and others for a day of diverse workshops, discussion groups, social networking opportunities, and a resource fair.

Participants will find programming in four learning “tracks”:

• Paths to Parenthood, which includes discussions about donor insemination, surrogacy, and adoption options, as well as considerations for raising children across racial and cultural boundaries;
• Educating Our Children, Changing Our Schools, addressing family diversity in K-12 learning environments, how to navigate and build a relationship with your school as LGBT parents, and how to equip children for middle school;
• Supporting Our Families, including being a dad in a “Mom’s World,” advice on parenting techniques, and topics related to multicultural families; and
• Legal, Financial, and Legislative Hot Topics, including how to ensure children have two legal parents and basic financial planning for the LGBT family.

Children 2 1/2 years old through elementary school age may participate in Kids’ Camp, a full-day of engaging and age-appropriate activities led by volunteers and activity providers from some of the best programs in the DC Metro area. Children in middle and high school may participate in programming through COLAGE, run by adults who also have LGBT parents.

Register online through April 24th (if spots remain available). The cost is $40 per person for Rainbow Families DC members and $50 for non-members. You must register online for the kids’ activities, which are $25 per child for members and $30 per non-member child. Onsite registration will be available beginning at 8:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 26 for adults only; no onsite registration will be available for Kids’ Camp.

Have questions? Contact Jeffrey A. Hart, (301) 518-1039; hart.jeff@yahoo.com or Trang Duong, (202) 258-8973; trangd@gmail.com.