I’ve previously written about the negative forces currently plaguing LGBTQ+ people: legislation, personal attacks, and more. That is all still true, and maybe even getting worse. But there are also other Newtonian forces at play that I nourished this week: joy, community, and acceptance. As outside groups work to delegitimize people like me and my family, me and people like me are coming together and are more connected and committed than ever—and we’re not just bonding over what we’re fighting against. We’re also celebrating what we’re fighting for.

It might sound trite or unnecessary to some to talk about celebrating amidst the current news cycles, but taking time away from the attacks and focusing on each other and who we are is its own form of activism. It’s not letting the others win; those people who want me (and others like me) to cower in fear. Instead, some of us gathered this week in Provincetown for the annual celebration of Family Week.

Family Equality's Family Week is the largest annual gathering of LGBTQ+ families in the world. This week-long event, held every summer in Provincetown, Massachusetts, offers an inclusive, safe, and supportive environment for families to bond, learn, and grow together.

The origins of Family Week can be traced back to the early 1990s when a handful of gay men connected over dinner and decided to organize a casual beach gathering in Provincetown. The town was chosen due to its longstanding reputation as a welcoming and inclusive community for the LGBTQ+ population.

In the early years, Family Week was simply a time for families to come together and enjoy a summer vacation, providing a much-needed space for LGBTQ+ families who often faced social stigma and isolation in their local communities. The week was filled with beach outings, picnics, parades, and casual get-togethers, all aimed at building connections between families and celebrating the diversity of family structures.

As the LGBTQ+ community began to gain greater visibility and acceptance, Family Equality saw an opportunity to move beyond a shared vacation for queer folks and used this week to expand its platform for advocacy, education, and community-building. The event evolved to include workshops, guest speakers, and organized activities for children and adults alike.

Under the leadership of Family Equality, in partnership with COLAGE, Family Week has grown into a large-scale event that attracts thousands of participants from around the world. And, in spite of that tremendous growth, the spirit of the event remains the same: to create a space for LGBTQ+ families to be in community, spend time among chosen family, celebrate their identities, and create lasting memories.

Today, Family Week serves as a powerful symbol of the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community, continuing to foster a sense of belonging and mutual support for families that still face unique challenges in a heteronormative world. Family Week remains a testament to the love, unity, and strength inherent in all families, regardless of their construct or the gender identity of parents or children.

In fact, if you have an LGBTQ+ human in your family or community, if you love an LGBTQ+ human, or if you want to be a great ally, consider supporting Family Equality today. I don’t ask for donations lightly. The world is rough for our families right now. Your support means everything.

Donate: http://www.familyequality.org/donate

‍If you’re tired or scared about what you’re reading in the news, don’t disengage; find ways to celebrate and rejuvenate. We need all hands on deck for the fight, but not at all times. Everyone needs to take a break and be ready for their next shift.

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