19th September
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19th September
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19th September - 19th September -
Creating a future where our community is seen, heard, and fully acknowledged
Welcome to LGBT+ Parents & Carers Day, a day dedicated to developing awareness, representation, and acknowledgment of our vibrant community: LGBT+ parents/carers, and our children. Our mission is to ensure that the experiences, needs, and visibility of our community are recognised across all services.
Why LGBT+ Parents/Carers Day?
The LGBT+ parent/carer community remains highly underrepresented across all sectors, leading to a lack of visibility and understanding of our unique challenges and triumphs.
LGBT+ Parents & Carers Day aims to bridge this gap by shedding light on the narratives, struggles, joys, and achievements of our community. This day is more than a celebration; it's a call to action for increased awareness, representation, visibility, and acknowledgment.
The historical importance of 19th September is deeply rooted in challenging the status quo. Spare Rib, a groundbreaking feminist magazine, covered a grave injustice faced by lesbian parents on this date in 1976.
This issue of Spare Rib highlighted the legal challenges faced by lesbian mothers in the UK. Shockingly, they often faced biased court decisions and lost child custody disputes due to the societal bias prevalent at the time; that lesbian mothers were unfit parents. These court decisions also perpetuated harmful stereotypes surrounding child development that children need a ‘mum’ and a ‘dad’.
The impact of this issue extended far beyond representation. It also sparked research by Professor Susan Golombok into the development of children with lesbian mothers. This bold step not only confronted those harmful stereotypes, but paved the way for a more inclusive understanding of LGBT+ parenting over the coming decades.
This day serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by our community. It reinforces our commitment to breaking free from harmful stereotypes and developing a society that embraces diversity in all its forms.
Why 19th September?
Proud 2 b Parents' Vision for Visibility
Our dedication to visibility signifies a long-term commitment to raising awareness, enhancing representation, and acknowledging LGBT+ parents/carers across all sectors of our community.
Through our collective efforts, we strive to create an environment where our stories are heard, our needs are met, and our visibility is woven into the fabric of societal understanding.
What can I do on 19th September?
Join the conversation on social media using hashtags #LGBTQIAParentsCarersDay and #Proud2bParents - don’t forget to download our social media pack!
Use your networks to spread awareness about this new awareness day, the historical significance of 19th September and the joys and challenges faced by LGBT+ parents and carers
Book a lunch and learn session for your workplace on the needs of LGBT+ parents/carers and how to forge change and greater inclusion
Join us on LGBT+ Parents/Carers Day to stand united, celebrate diversity, and pave the way for a future where our community is seen, heard, and fully acknowledged. Together, we can create lasting change and build a more inclusive world for LGBT+ parents, carers, and their children.
This initiative is supported by