reclaiming family values
See below for the details of the 2023 conference schedule for content for LGBTQ+ parents, prospective and expectant parents, and our kids of all ages. The conference was held in person on Saturday, October 14th from 9am-4pm at the School of the Future, 4021 Parkside Avenue in Philadelphia near the Zoo and Please Touch Museum.
The theme this year as we face political attacks was "Reclaiming Family Values."
We offered intersectional sessions for adults and kids 7-13 centering around grounding ourselves in the facts, defining our family's values, exploring the intersection of art and activism, and learning how to advocate for ourselves and others. Read more about the session presenters on the speakers page.
The theme this year as we face political attacks was "Reclaiming Family Values."
We offered intersectional sessions for adults and kids 7-13 centering around grounding ourselves in the facts, defining our family's values, exploring the intersection of art and activism, and learning how to advocate for ourselves and others. Read more about the session presenters on the speakers page.
schedule details and session descriptions
9:00am - 9:45am
Family Yoga Class
Get grounded to start your day off with an all ages and abilities very beginner yoga class from 9-9:30am in the gym with instructor Kayla M. Walker (she/they, pictured). Mats provided.
LGBTQ+ Foster Parents Affinity Group
Meet up with other LGBTQ+ foster parents, prospective foster parents including COLAGE’s Katy Chatel (she/ze) and Tiffany Byrd (she/her) from A Second Chance to build peer support and connection with others fostering kids and adopting from foster care. Topics for discussion will include fostering older kids, relationships with bio families, and navigating relationships with other kids in the home.
Family Yoga Class
Get grounded to start your day off with an all ages and abilities very beginner yoga class from 9-9:30am in the gym with instructor Kayla M. Walker (she/they, pictured). Mats provided.
LGBTQ+ Foster Parents Affinity Group
Meet up with other LGBTQ+ foster parents, prospective foster parents including COLAGE’s Katy Chatel (she/ze) and Tiffany Byrd (she/her) from A Second Chance to build peer support and connection with others fostering kids and adopting from foster care. Topics for discussion will include fostering older kids, relationships with bio families, and navigating relationships with other kids in the home.
10:00am - 11:00am
Navigating Hard Conversations
In this session with Alexander Stefanini (he/him) and Naomi Washington-Leapheart (she/her), we’ll delve into how and when to have challenging conversations with extended family, neighbors, acquaintances and others. We’ll go over how to set boundaries and protect yourself in these conversations and talk about the challenges of religion in these discussions. There will be some time for discussion in small groups, so folks leave the session backed by a supportive peer group and some tools to take with them.
Trans in Athletics: Inclusion & What Does It Mean to Be 'Fair?’
Hear from educator, consultant, and public speaker Lex Horwitz (they/them, pictured) on how to understand and approach the “debate” about trans kids, youth, and adults in sports. You’ll also learn some best practices on how to ensure transgender student-athletes have fair, respectful, affirming and inclusive access to athletics. In addition to leaving with tools to advocate on this issue, you’ll hear Lex’s story as the first out non-binary/trans athlete who competed at their college and in their sport, and their journey switching from the women's to the men's team.
“Yes’s and No’s” – How to Get and Give Consent
Consent is a tricky topic, no matter what age you are! For kids, living in a world without much autonomy makes it difficult to recognize situations where it’s necessary to ask for or give permission to others. This will be a fun workshop designed for youth ages 7 – 13 to learn when they need to ask others for consent, and how to give (or not give!) consent. We’ll practice verbal and non-verbal communication, and how to check in with others and yourself. Led by Galia Godel (she/he).
Navigating Hard Conversations
In this session with Alexander Stefanini (he/him) and Naomi Washington-Leapheart (she/her), we’ll delve into how and when to have challenging conversations with extended family, neighbors, acquaintances and others. We’ll go over how to set boundaries and protect yourself in these conversations and talk about the challenges of religion in these discussions. There will be some time for discussion in small groups, so folks leave the session backed by a supportive peer group and some tools to take with them.
Trans in Athletics: Inclusion & What Does It Mean to Be 'Fair?’
Hear from educator, consultant, and public speaker Lex Horwitz (they/them, pictured) on how to understand and approach the “debate” about trans kids, youth, and adults in sports. You’ll also learn some best practices on how to ensure transgender student-athletes have fair, respectful, affirming and inclusive access to athletics. In addition to leaving with tools to advocate on this issue, you’ll hear Lex’s story as the first out non-binary/trans athlete who competed at their college and in their sport, and their journey switching from the women's to the men's team.
“Yes’s and No’s” – How to Get and Give Consent
Consent is a tricky topic, no matter what age you are! For kids, living in a world without much autonomy makes it difficult to recognize situations where it’s necessary to ask for or give permission to others. This will be a fun workshop designed for youth ages 7 – 13 to learn when they need to ask others for consent, and how to give (or not give!) consent. We’ll practice verbal and non-verbal communication, and how to check in with others and yourself. Led by Galia Godel (she/he).
11:15am - 12:00pm
Keynote: “Reclaiming Family Values”
State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta (he/him, pictured) will give this year’s keynote talk on the conference theme “Reclaiming Family Values.” Rep. Kenyatta will discuss the current climate of attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and what adults and kids can do to advocate for themselves.
12:00pm - 2:00pm
#Adulting: Free Legal Clinic for LGBTQ+ Parents and Prospective Parents
Cosponsored by the Philadelphia LGBTQ+ Bar Association and the Philadelphia Bar Association
LGBTQ+ parents and prospective parents will have the opportunity to sign up to spend 15 minute in a one-on-one private meeting with an attorney to get free legal advice on various issues, including estate planning, family law (including second parent adoptions), real estate matters, and name changes. If there are spaces left, there will also be walk up times on the day of the event. Note that the initial consults at the conference will be free, but follow-up with an attorney, court fees, etc. may incur costs.
12:00pm - 12:45pm
LUNCH
Prospective Parent Affinity Group
Meet up with other prospective and expectant parents to make new connections and provide mutual support on the path to parenthood. Led by PFP board member Adam Moskowitz (he/him).
Keynote: “Reclaiming Family Values”
State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta (he/him, pictured) will give this year’s keynote talk on the conference theme “Reclaiming Family Values.” Rep. Kenyatta will discuss the current climate of attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and what adults and kids can do to advocate for themselves.
12:00pm - 2:00pm
#Adulting: Free Legal Clinic for LGBTQ+ Parents and Prospective Parents
Cosponsored by the Philadelphia LGBTQ+ Bar Association and the Philadelphia Bar Association
LGBTQ+ parents and prospective parents will have the opportunity to sign up to spend 15 minute in a one-on-one private meeting with an attorney to get free legal advice on various issues, including estate planning, family law (including second parent adoptions), real estate matters, and name changes. If there are spaces left, there will also be walk up times on the day of the event. Note that the initial consults at the conference will be free, but follow-up with an attorney, court fees, etc. may incur costs.
12:00pm - 12:45pm
LUNCH
Prospective Parent Affinity Group
Meet up with other prospective and expectant parents to make new connections and provide mutual support on the path to parenthood. Led by PFP board member Adam Moskowitz (he/him).
Photo by Cass Meehan-Marinich
12:45pm - 1:45pm
Baking the Poisoned Cookie
John Jarboe (she/her, pictured) from the Bearded Ladies Cabaret will be leading us in an exploration of queer performance tactics specifically in the cabaret form from a historical and contemporary lens. How do and why do queer performers use glitter, spectacle, and drag? What role does queer performance play in times of socio-political crisis?
Families with Neurodiverse Kiddos Affinity Group
Meet up with other LGBTQ+ parents who have neurodiverse kiddos to discuss finding competent providers, how to celebrate Pride without the crowds and noise, and find community with others.
Family Manifestos: Building Antiracist Families
We invite children of all ages and their grown-ups to name their family's values and create antiracist family manifestos with folks from the Philadelphia Children’s Movement. We will begin with a story and conversation to get everyone thinking and talking together before we move on to mapping out what we believe and how we can take action to support our beliefs as families. Art materials will be provided!
2:00pm - 2:45pm
Our Intersectional Lives: LGBTQ+ People with Disabilities
Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) will host an interactive workshop to discuss the intersection of LGBTQ+ and disability identities. The workshop will be geared towards developing an understanding of how different aspects of lives and identities, including our roles as parents and youth with disabilities, can impact advocacy, needs and rights. During the discussion, we will draw upon cases at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and disability rights; including cases focusing on discrimination based on HIV+ status. Further, we will discuss recent cases where the ADA was used to protect transgender people.
Raise Your Voice with Rise Choir
Join members of Rise Choir and choir gardener Pax Ressler (they/she) to lift our voices together and sing into our shared values. Everyone of any singing ability is welcome to attend — we can all find joy in singing! Rise Choir believes that singing together provides a piece of the antidote to the fear and dread we feel in the world (even if just for a moment). Come join in and raise your voice in easy-to-learn communal songs. (Weather permitting, this will take place outside.)
Single LGBTQ+ Parents Roundtable
Meet up with other single LGBTQ+ parents to build community and connection. Led by Chelsea Downs.
Baking the Poisoned Cookie
John Jarboe (she/her, pictured) from the Bearded Ladies Cabaret will be leading us in an exploration of queer performance tactics specifically in the cabaret form from a historical and contemporary lens. How do and why do queer performers use glitter, spectacle, and drag? What role does queer performance play in times of socio-political crisis?
Families with Neurodiverse Kiddos Affinity Group
Meet up with other LGBTQ+ parents who have neurodiverse kiddos to discuss finding competent providers, how to celebrate Pride without the crowds and noise, and find community with others.
Family Manifestos: Building Antiracist Families
We invite children of all ages and their grown-ups to name their family's values and create antiracist family manifestos with folks from the Philadelphia Children’s Movement. We will begin with a story and conversation to get everyone thinking and talking together before we move on to mapping out what we believe and how we can take action to support our beliefs as families. Art materials will be provided!
2:00pm - 2:45pm
Our Intersectional Lives: LGBTQ+ People with Disabilities
Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) will host an interactive workshop to discuss the intersection of LGBTQ+ and disability identities. The workshop will be geared towards developing an understanding of how different aspects of lives and identities, including our roles as parents and youth with disabilities, can impact advocacy, needs and rights. During the discussion, we will draw upon cases at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and disability rights; including cases focusing on discrimination based on HIV+ status. Further, we will discuss recent cases where the ADA was used to protect transgender people.
Raise Your Voice with Rise Choir
Join members of Rise Choir and choir gardener Pax Ressler (they/she) to lift our voices together and sing into our shared values. Everyone of any singing ability is welcome to attend — we can all find joy in singing! Rise Choir believes that singing together provides a piece of the antidote to the fear and dread we feel in the world (even if just for a moment). Come join in and raise your voice in easy-to-learn communal songs. (Weather permitting, this will take place outside.)
Single LGBTQ+ Parents Roundtable
Meet up with other single LGBTQ+ parents to build community and connection. Led by Chelsea Downs.
Get Up! Stand Up!
Kids 7-13 years old will learn some proactive ways to be an ally and advocate for themselves and their peers in this interactive session with educator Lex Horwitz (they/them). We'll also review the Gender Unicorn and do an associated craft project.
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Queerspawn in the Family
This will be a dialogue between LGBTQ+ parents and prospective parents and queerspawn (people with LGBTQ+ parents and caregivers). We will discuss the impacts of being raised by LGBTQ+ parents and the lasting connection queerspawn feel to queer community and culture. Led by COLAGEr Em Harnett (they/them). COLAGE.org
Kids 7-13 years old will learn some proactive ways to be an ally and advocate for themselves and their peers in this interactive session with educator Lex Horwitz (they/them). We'll also review the Gender Unicorn and do an associated craft project.
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Queerspawn in the Family
This will be a dialogue between LGBTQ+ parents and prospective parents and queerspawn (people with LGBTQ+ parents and caregivers). We will discuss the impacts of being raised by LGBTQ+ parents and the lasting connection queerspawn feel to queer community and culture. Led by COLAGEr Em Harnett (they/them). COLAGE.org