Focus on Family

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Focus on LGBT Families

The 2006 Gary David Kibblewhite Lecture Series, funded by the Leo Rosner Foundation, focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families. The 3-lecture series began in April with a presentation by Empire State Pride Agenda on the topic: “Winning Equality & Justice for LGBT New Yorker and Our Families.” This presentation discussed where LGBT families were in the fight for equality, the status of the marriage fight, and possible next steps the community can take.

The second presentation was about legal rights for same-sex couples, whether or not we had the right to marry. Presented by Lisa Ayn Padilla, J.D., LL.M., the focus of the lecture was about end of life and end of relationship issues.

Executive Director Yvette Christofilis (left) poses with Lisa Ayn Padilla

The final presentation was all about children and parenting. Taking a slightly different path than the usual lectures, the topic of this presentation was “An Evening with LGBT Parents: Becoming Parents, Living as Parents.” It was a panel of LGBT people who had become parents through various means. The 5-person panel was moderated by Laura Newman, the Westchester County Liaison to the LGBT Community, herself an adoptive parent.

The LGBT Parents panel (left to right) and how they became parents: Seated: Laura Newman, private adoption; Mary T. Keane, multiple foster children. Standing: Carolina Cordero-Dyer, birth; Stuart Sorrell, agency adoption; Sylvana Trabout, foster child to adoption.

The 2006 Gary David Kibblewhite Lecture Series was a wonderful success and The LOFT looks forward to a possible grant renewal that would allow us to continue offering these events of such great interest to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities of this region.

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