Family Week in Provincetown, at the end of July, is the largest annual gathering of LGBTQ+ parents and families in the world. There’s so much to do, in fact, that it can be overwhelming, so here’s a guest post from Elena Phethean, a Community Events & Program Intern with Family Equality Council, with some tips on making the most of it.
Elena Phethean is a Community Events & Program Intern with Family Equality Council, also a rising junior at Tufts University. She is double majoring in Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Community Health and is originally from Pleasantville, New York. She is extremely excited to be working with the Family Equality Council for the summer of 2018 to explore non-profit work in the LGBTQ+ community.
At Family Week in Provincetown, hundreds of LGBTQ+ families will come together from all over the country and the world! There are daily events for parents, little ones, older youth, and the whole family. It is truly an unforgettable week surrounded by LGBTQ+ families. It’s an opportunity to build community, make new friends, and get inspired for the work ahead of us as we continue to strive to make our world a more just and equitable place for everyone.
Two organizations collaborate every year to create this one incredible week:Â Family Equality Council’s mission is to advance legal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change. COLAGE is a network of peers uniting people with LGBTQIA+ parents and caregivers for support and empowerment.
Want to register if you haven’t yet? Click here and enjoy these tips for a fantastic Family Week 2018! Use promo code “Mombian” for five percent off!
Get connected! Join the official Family Week 2018 Facebook group to connect with over 2,000 other parents, ask questions informally, hear about updates, and be in the loop.- There’s so much going on during Family Week, it can be hard to decide what events to go to! Here are some well-attended events not to miss: Beach Campfire Night, Family Pride Parade, and the Welcome Pool Party. See more events on our website here or download the Family Week app!
- Worried about packing or traveling with youngsters? Sidekicks Travel isn’t just an amazing company that partners with Family Week every year to bring you educational games and activities for your kiddos—it’s also a great way to get all your gear for Family Week for a stress-free, easy trip to P-town! Check it out here.
- Be sure to register in order to enjoy the welcome goodie bag at registration with tons of cool stuff from amazing partners of Family Equality Council! Also look out for special events to register for—new tickets have just been added for Welcome Brunch, and Theater Camp still has spots open! Check out our registration site here for more info and special events like camps and morning programs here.
- Keep an open mind and be ready to learn from others with families as unique as yours! Look out for Family Equality Council and COLAGE’s collaborative Family Week equity statement that will be posted on the Family Equality Council website soon. Family Week is all about respect and understanding.
Check out organizations and businesses who support the values and mission of Family Equality Council, COLAGE, and your families at the Community Partner Exhibition! Stop on by Saturday and Sunday in the lobby of the Provincetown Inn to meet people, learn about supportive organizations, and maybe get some swag!- Do you like the arts? Check out some of our events for more musical and performance-inclined kiddos and parents! Karen K and the Jitterbugs, Theater Camp, Family Dance and other activities are geared just for you!
- Explore the nature of Provincetown—it’s also Whale Week, so check out some things we’ve partnered on with the Center for Coastal Studies, like Whale Camp, Run the Trails for the Whales 5K, or the Whale Watch! Check out their website here.
Do you like to explore? Check out PTown Bikes for a variety of rental options to get around in a fun and family-friendly way! Rental information here.- HAVE FUN!
Elena Phethean is a Community Events & Program Intern with Family Equality Council, also a rising junior at Tufts University. She is double majoring in Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Community Health and is originally from Pleasantville, New York. She is extremely excited to be working with the Family Equality Council for the summer of 2018 to explore non-profit work in the LGBTQ+ community.