News and Other Events of Interest to GLBT Families
Gay couples as fit to adopt as heterosexuals
Photo by twodolla
A new study reported in the journal Adoption Quarterly finds that the sexual orientation of adoptive parents has no impact on the emotional development of their children.
“There are implications for social work educators, adoption professionals, and policy makers in this and other recent studies,” said Averett.
“We must pay attention to the data indicating that gay and lesbian parents are as fit as heterosexual parents to adopt,” Averett added, “because at least 130,000 children are depending on us to act as informed advocates on their behalf.”
Continue reading Gay couples as fit to adopt as heterosexuals at Reuters.
Pride and Joy Families: Upcoming Events for Fall 2009
Upcoming Events of Interest to LGBTQ Families in Upstate New York
Please contact Pride and Joy Families at 607.724.4308, option 3 or by email for more information about an event and directions.
Saturday, Oct 3, 10:30 am-1 pm. Syracuse Brunch at Wendy and Tracy’s for those with little ones. Please bring a dish to pass.
Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 am-12 noon. At the Lavender Inkwell Bookshoppe, Syracuse. In Celebration of banned books week, there will be a reading of And Tango Makes Three.
Sunday, October 4, 12 noon -2 pm. Apple picking with Pride and Joy Families. Meet at the U-Pick Area at Green Brothers, 131 Brooks Road, Binghamton. www.applehills.com. In case of inclement weather a message will be sent to the listserv.
Sunday, October 4, 6pm. At the UU Church in Canton for a foster/adoption information session presented by Social Services. Visit www.prismny.org for more information.
Thursday, October 8, 10 am. At Binghamton University’s Nature Preserve, Binghamton. Jumpstart’s Read for the Record. Every year an effort is made to break the Guinness Book of World Records by gathering the largest group of people all across the nation to read the same book at the same time! Crafts, a parade, a guided walk in the Preserve and a reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, in honor of its 40th birthday.
Sunday, October 11. The National Equality March on Washington. Chartered bus leaves from Binghamton University campus at 6 am and returns around midnight. Roundtrip tickets are $55.
Wednesday, October 14. Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Center (CDGLLCC) Annual Awards Dinner.
Tickets also are available for those on limited income. For more information see – www.cdglcc.org
Wednesday, October 21, 7-9 pm. At Groton Middle School Gym. Cayuga Lake Transition Collaborative-Model Transition Program is sponsoring a Human Services Fair for families and students of Groton and Lansing School Districts.
Wednesday, October 28, 6:30-8 pm. Maybe Baby: Adoption Options for LGBT Singles or Couples at GAGV Youth Center, 1st Floor, 875 E. Main St, Rochester, NY 14605, 716-639-3900, Email Cherie or visit www.adoptionstar.com.
Thursday, October 29, 7-8:30 pm. LGBTQ Parents Networking and Education series (1st in series): Raising Sexually Healthy Kids, 111 E. Seneca Street, Ithaca. Co-presented by Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes and the Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project. Free event. Reservations required. Email PPSFL or 607.216.0021, ext. 134.
November 5-8. Nationwide COLAGE Speakout Camp, Woodstock, GA. Kids 15 and older are invited to spend a weekend learning and socializing with other kids with LGBTQ parents. For more information visit COLAGE.
Friday, November 6, 9 am – 12 noon. “Safe School, Safe Community: How to Help Children Meet the Challenge of Bullying and Trauma,” at The Holiday lnn, Downtown Ithaca. Cost $30.00, including breakfast and conference materials. Contact Josephine, Mental Health Association, Tompkins County (607) 273-9250. Seating is limited. Please RSVP by October 23.
Friday, November 6, 9-11 am. 4th Annual Pre-Conference Institute for Educators, Administrators and Service Professionals, “Just Like Any Other Youth: Understanding and Working With LGBTQ Youth.” Holiday Inn, Kingston, NY. Sponsored by Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center Inc., 845.331.5300, Visit www.lgbtqcenter.org.
Saturday, November 7, 9 am-4:30 pm. Come OUT & Find OUT Fourth Annual Educational Conference, Holiday Inn, Kingston, NY. Sponsored by Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center Inc., 845.331.5300, Visit www.lgbtqcenter.org.
Saturday, November 14, 3-6 pm. Dorian and Marian will once again host a Pride and Joy Thanksgiving Feast at their home. They will provide the turkey, please bring a dish to share.
November date TBA. Ann and Mary will host a Thanksgiving Feast at their home in the Syracuse area. Please stay tuned for details.
Thursday, November 19, 7-8:30 pm. LGBTQ Parents Networking and Education Series (2nd in series): LGBTQ Family Building for Aspiring Parents, 111 E. Seneca Street, Ithaca. Co-presented by Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes and the Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project. Free event. Reservations required. Email PPSFL or 607.216.0021, ext. 134.
Friday, November 20, 9:30 am-4 pm. At the Decker Room, Broome Public Library, Binghamton, The Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier’s Annual Cultural and Linguistic Competence Workshop. Topics include youth culture, including internet culture, bullies, depression and more. Open to mental health providers, consumers, their family members, and the public. Contact Doris Chemung (607)771-8888.
Sunday, December 6, 2-4pm. LGBTQ Parents Networking and Education=2 0Series (3rd of the series): A Family Fun Activity. Bring your family to create a family crest to treasure for years to come, St. Paul’s Church, Ithaca. Co-presented by Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes and the Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project. Free event. Reservations required. Email PPSFL or 607.216.0021, ext. 134.
What is Pride and Joy Families?
The Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project sponsors Pride and Joy Families, a network of LGBT-led families that provides social and educational activities and a sense of communit y to LGBT parents and their children. The Project is dedicated to helping LGBT people in upstate New York build and strengthen their families. It was founded in 2000 with a grant from the New York State Health Department to the Ferre Institute, Inc. The Project offers educational programs and trainings, information and referral services, a directory of welcoming health and human service providers, and support groups for LGBT parents and prospective parents.
Family Photo Slideshow
We are trying out a photo slideshow for the Lambda Family Circle website. It would be really great if some families would submit a family photo or photos from Lambda events that we could use in the slide show. This would be a great way to put a personal face on the group.
If you have a family photo or shots from Lambda events that you would be willing to put on the website, please send them as an attachment to info@lambdafamilycircle.org
Lambda Family Circle on Facebook
We created a Lambda Family Circle group page on Facebook. If you are a Facebook user please join the group, it is another way we can connect with people and pass on information about Lambda Family Circle Events and News. Click here to join the Lambda Family Circle Facebook group.
Pride Along the Mohawk July 4th LGBT Celebration in Utica!
Join LGBT’s and allies in a potluck picnic at 412 Rutger St, Utica,, at 3 pm. Bring a dish to pass, dessert, soda…and the main course (Bar-BQ Spare Ribs) will be provided. Reservations required: (315) 734-1653.
Following the meal anyone wanting to “Come Out” and show open support for LGBT equality and justice is encouraged to either march in Utica ’s July 4th parade from MVCC to Proctor Park and/or assist with our information table afterward. There will be great local food vendors including Chesterfield’s, who provided food at an earlier Pride Fest.
Miss Greater Utica (not drag 
will be crowned. Classified, a fabulous local group of musicians, will play and the evening will be topped off with fireworks! This is an exciting opportunity to be welcomed into a mainstream family event and to be able to educate the public about myths concerning LGBT people and to discuss why our issues matter.
For further info, contact Jeff Sterling at (315) 734-1653.
