Happy International Family Equality Day! This year’s observance also marks the event becoming a non-governmental organization.
The day originated as an idea of Swiss LGBTQ advocate Maria von Känel in 2010. The first International Symposium of LGBTQ parenting organizations in 2011 established International Family Equality Day (IFED) as the first Sunday in May, and celebrated the first one in 2012. Last year, 44 countries and over 100 cities held IFED events. This year, more countries have joined, including Chile, Taiwan, and Fiji, with approximately 60 organizations and 600 volunteers involved in organizing events and observances around the globe. Additionally, this Friday in Geneva, IFED became an NGO as a way to sustain and grow its work. Here’s von Känel’s speech at the ceremony.
It’s extremely heartening to see so many LGBTQ family organizations around the globe coming together to promote visibility and understanding. Visit the IFED website to see what’s going on in your area and how you can get involved.
Speaking of celebrations of LGBTQ families: Don’t forget that on June 4, here on the Internet, I will be hosting #LGBTQfamiliesday, the evolution of the Blogging for LGBTQ Families Day I began in 2006. This year, in partnership with Family Equality Council, we’ll be encouraging anyone who wants to support and celebrate LGBTQ families to tweet, post, and share on any type of social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, blogs, vlogs, etc.) with the hashtag #LGBTQfamiliesday. If you want to submit a public post as in previous years, to be added to a master list for the day, you may do so as well; but we’re also trying to kick up the buzz to incorporate all kinds of social media sharing. Please mark the date and join us!