2014 Rainbow Families
Conference Program Book
Creating Our Families
Building
Our Community
Celebrating Our Strength
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Dr. Michael Doyle and the CT Fertility team proudly support Rainbow Families DC.
Over the past 20 years we have helped over 500 gay & lesbian families achieve their dreams. We offer a wide range of options, including egg/sperm donation, and surrogacy.
Now open in NYC for immediate appointments. CT 4920 Main Street, Suite 308 Bridgeport (203) 373.1200 NYC 110 East 55th Street, 9th Floor New York (212) 754.1200)
Forming families for over 20 years
Michael Doyle, MD
.com
index
sponsors
sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
presented by
conference map . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 schedule at-a-glance . . . . . . . 30 opening session . . . . . . . . . . . 31 session descriptions . . . . . . . . 32 discussion groups . . . . . . . . . . 40
major sponsors
about our presenters . . . . . . . 41 kids’ camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 COLAGE program . . . . . . . . . . . 53
note to conference participants
lead sponsors
patron, media & community sponsors PATRON SPONSORS Bullis School Capitol Hill Day School Columbia Fertility Associates Family to Family Adoptions Grace Episcopal Day School Green Acres School Holton-Arms School Maret School Pullman & Ariza Pediatrics Rafat Abbasi, M.D. Say I Do! Wedding Expo Sidwell Friends School St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School Steve & Kate’s Camp Wells Fargo
MEDIA SPONSORS GayDadSwag Mombian TAGG Magazine The DC Center The Next Family The Washington Blade Washington Parent COMMUNITY SPONSORS Adoptions Together Gay Mens Chorus of Washington Inspired Teaching School Men Having Babies The Barker Foundation The Datz Foundation
One of our primary goals in offering the 2014 Family Conference is to provide information and resources in a variety of topic areas of importance to LGBT parents and prospective parents. It is, of course, not possible to address all issues or answer all questions, so we encourage you to: follow-up with our speakers, facilitators, resource fair participants and advertisers after the conference; use the RFDC discussion forums; and conduct your own independent research. Any medical, legal or other professional advice or referrals shared at the Rainbow Families Conference does necessarily reflect the opinion of Rainbow Families DC. It is the responsibility of conference participants to conduct their own research and check references before enlisting any professional services. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT NO SMOKING IS PERMITTED ANYWHERE ON THE GEORGETOWN DAY SCHOOL CAMPUS.
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welcome Dear Friends,
5614 Connecticut Avenue, NW, #309 Washington, DC 20015-2604 202-747-0407 • info@RainbowFamiliesDC.org www.RainbowFamiliesDC.org
Welcome to the 6th Rainbow Families DC Conference—Creating Our Families, Building Our Community, Celebrating Our Strength. We hope that your experience today will make you proud to be affiliated with RFDC and will reaffirm the importance of being part of this vibrant community of LGBT-headed families. This biennial conference provides us with one full day where we can stop and focus on our families in a safe, supportive environment, with our kids close by and in experienced hands. Why is this conference so unique? It’s the only event of its kind in the DC Metropolitan area. It brings together people linked by a single bond; we are LGBT-headed families. Yet we bring diversity so great, in so many ways, it is impossible to quantify. It provides us with occasion to immerse ourselves in the opportunities to learn from experts and each other, to engage in rich conversation & personal exploration, and to develop deeper connections across that diversity and in that common bond. Rainbow Families DC offers programs and gatherings throughout the year. Please participate in these activities: support groups, fun days at the YMCA, activities at Hillwood Estates, visits to the zoo, camping trips and retreats, evenings at the children’s theater, picnics and marching in parades. All of our activities are synthesized and run by volunteers. This magnificent conference has also been assembled and carried out by the hard work of volunteers. We encourage you to learn more about Rainbow Families DC and consider ways to support this great organization—whether by simply maintaining your membership status, reaching out to other LGBT families who may not yet be connected, volunteering for RFDC activities, or through serving on the Board. Rainbow Families DC is a vibrant organization with a wide array of programs and resources designed to meet the needs of our diverse community. We look forward to your continued support and involvement. Many people have contributed to the success of this conference, and of special note are our sponsors. Without their generous support, this conference simply would not have been possible. We thank them for their financial contributions and for their steadfast support of our community and this conference. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the 2014 Conference Planning Committee, thank you for being here. Have a great day! Warmly, Trang Duong and Jeff Hart Ellen Kahn Conference Co-Chairs President RFDC Board of Directors RFDC Board of Directors
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J E N N I F E R FA I R FA X L LC
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Second parent adoptions
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Donor Agreements
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Private/Independent adoptions
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Gestational Carrier Agreements
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Agency finalizations
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Collaborative Dissolution
Jennifer Fairfax Adoption Attorney 827 Woodside Parkway Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 p: 301.221.9651 f: 240.491.9551 jfairfax@jenniferfairfax.com www.jenniferfairfax.com
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WE ARE WINNING THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY!
Come celebrate with us – FREE Starter Sessions for all Rainbow Families attendees
The Mountain Vision Program A comprehensive financial plan Rooted in the things that you value – Your family, your financial security And what makes life sweet – fun!
Together we create a personalized vision of the life you want, And steps to get you there.
TOLER
FINANCIAL GROUP
Frances A. Toler, MSFS, CAP
– Masters of Science in Financial Services – Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy Toler Financial Group is a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise, certified by the NGLCC (National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce).
6901 Rockledge Drive, Suite 800 Bethesda, MD 20817 www.tolerfinancialgroup.com ftoler@tolerfinancialgroup.com Office: 301-214-6120 Fax: 202-379-1703 Frances Toler, Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Licensed Insurance Agency,301-214-6600 Financial adviser offering investment advisory services through Eagle Strategies LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser Toler Financial Group is not owned or operated by NYLIFE Securities LLC or its affiliates
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Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine is one of the leading Fertility and IVF Centers in the Washington area. We have been helping the LGBT community since inception, and have done more same-sex couple surrogacy cycles than any other center in the DC area. More importantly, we have had the highest pregnancy and delivery rates in the greater DC area for the past 9 years, and are one of few centers in the country offering blastocysts transfer exclusively. We specialize in performing dual embryo transfers (one embryo from each parent). Our services include ovulation induction, artificial insemination, IVF, intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), assisted hatching, blastocyst transfer, donor sperm, donor egg, gestational surrogacy, frozen embryo cycles, egg freezing and advanced surgery.
11150 Sunset Hills Rd • Suite 100 • Reston, VA 20190 Phone: (703) 437-7722 • www.vcrmed.com 100% IVF, donor egg, and surrogacy money back guarantee plans available
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welcoming
schools
A P R O J E C T O F T H E H U M A N R I G H T S C A M PA I G N F O U N D AT I O N
As a comprehensive approach to improving elementary school climate, Welcoming Schools provides technical assistance, training and resources to: • embrace family diversity • create gender inclusive environments • prevent bias based bullying and name-calling Check out the newest professional development film from Welcoming Schools! What Can We Do? Bias, Bullying, and Bystanders
www.welcomingschools.org/whatcanwedo
The only resource of its kind that is LGBT-inclusive. www.welcomingschools.org email: welcomingschools@hrc.org www.facebook.com/welcomingschools
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Cathedral Close Schools Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School, is a pre-kindergarten through 3rd-grade school with a comprehensive focus on the early childhood and early elementary years. Beauvoir is dedicated to educating a diverse student body in a caring and creative environment, and its program is designed to nurture the spiritual, ethical, intellectual, emotional, physical, and social development of our children. Beauvoir seeks to foster a spirit of inquiry and a joy in learning.
www.beauvoirschool.org
National Cathedral School National Cathedral School (NCS) is an independent, Episcopal day school for girls which offers a rigorous academic program for 580 students in grades 4–12. NCS educates young women for the world by preparing them for the intellectual, ethical, and emotional challenges of life. In addition to offering the highest-quality academic instruction, NCS provides a wide choice of activities in athletics and the arts, with unique coeducational programs through the Coordinate Program with St. Albans School.
www.ncs.cathedral.org
St. Albans School St. Albans School has offered a distinctive educational experience for young men in grades 4–12 for more than a century. While our students strive to reach exceptional academic goals and exhibit first-rate athletic and artistic achievements, as an Episcopal school, we place equal emphasis upon moral and spiritual education. St. Albans has an enrollment of 575 boys and holds the distinction of being the only boarding school in the District of Columbia.
www.stalbansschool.org
Three Schools. One Community. Situated on the Close, or grounds, of the Washington National Cathedral in Northwest Washington, the Cathedral Close Schools have robust financial aid budgets and admit students from all backgrounds. The Cathedral Close Schools value rich diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, national origin, family structure, or sexual orientation.
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ADVICE • MEDIATION • LITIGATION • APPEALS • COLLABORATION
• FAMILY • ADOPTION • ESTATE PLANNING • EMPLOYMENT
TEL: (301) 891-2200 7000 Carroll Avenue, Suite 200 • Takoma Park, Maryland 20912 www.SP-Law.com
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GEORGETOWN DAY SCHOOL
Academic excellence, educational innovation, and social justice..
GeorGetown Day School honors the integrity and worth of each individual
within a diverse school community
and is honored to support rainbow Families dC.
learn more at www.Gds.org
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an inclusive community of life-long learners in which each individual is valued and respected
Learn more about our programs for children ages 21/2 through 8th grade! For a glimpse of daily life at Lowell, find us on facebook: lowellschooldc
1640 Kalmia Road NW | Washington, DC 20012 202.577.2000 | www.lowellschool.org Rainbow Families DC 2014 Conference | 13
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Kirsten Williams, Dolly Tucker and Frank Snodgrass of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty are proud to support Rainbow Families DC ttrsir.com
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Your Guide through
Every Step
BEFORE
Voted Best Remodeling Firm by the readers of Bethesda Magazine, 2012 and Top Vote Getter in 2013 & 2014
From early planning to the first sunny breakfast, let BOWA be your guide through every step of the luxury remodeling experience. BOWA’s design build experts look after our clients’ best interests from their first thoughts of a project, throughout architecture and construction, and continuing through a lifetime of ownership. For your peace of mind, make BOWA your first call.
Proud to support Rainbow Families DC DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
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RENOVATIONS & ADDITIONS
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Metro Area: 703-734-9050 Middleburg: 540-687-6771 www.bowa.com
CONDOMINIUM REMODELING
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PURCHASE CONSULTATIONS
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Proud to be working to further the rights of all parents to build a family through surrogacy.
Creative Family Connections LLC is a boutique law firm in the DC area that has been matching LGBT parents to gestational surrogates, and providing full support services, for more than a decade.
Contact us for a complimentary consultation!
www.creativefamilyconnections.com info@creativefamilyconnections.com
240-235-6006 Rainbow Families DC 2014 Conference | 23
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Join us.
Find out what makes St. Patrick’s—a coeducational Nursery through Grade 8 school in the nation’s capital—a special and inclusive community, deeply committed to equality. An information session for prospective same-gender parents will be held in October. For more information, contact Jen Danish, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment, Communication, and Marketing, at danishj@stpatsdc.org or 202.342.2807, and visit us on the web at www.stpatsdc.org.
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HOMES AS UNIQUE AS YOU ARE
MODEL OPEN
NEW COASTAL GRAYSTONES LOCATED IN THE PALISADES, DC
HUTCHINS PL, NW | BY APPT | PRICED FROM $2.2 MILLION
www.OPaLdc.com
202-664-2009 MHBR #3420
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Developed by OPaL, LLC
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The Abbott Klar Real Estate Group is proud to support Rainbow Families DC
Visit us at www.SellingDC.com
Great neighbors. Great realtors.
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Electrical Closet
Costume Storage
119
Drama Classroom
It’s Academic
A
Theater Dressing Room
116
Make-up Room
B
Theater Dressing Room
114
Maintenance
Girls’ Bathroom
Black Box Theater 120
Boys’ Bathroom
115
Sprinkler/ Water Main
Elevator
112
Loading Dock
Shop
Theater Storage
College Resource Center
110 College Counseling Reception
Boys’ Bathroom
Girls’ Bathroom
Storage
Conference Room
Head’s Assist.
Director of Studies Office
Alumni/ Development Office
Conference Room
106
Head of School Office
Admin. Assistant
College Counseling
Office Mgr.
Administrative Reception
107
Faculty/Staff Room
Student Kitchen
Internet Café
G e o rg e tow n D ay S c h o o l
CFO Office
Faculty Office Storage
Faculty Work Room
Director of Admissions
108
High School • 4200 Davenport Street, NW
Registrar
109
English Department Office
College Counseling
first floor
Assist. Dir. of Admissions
A Sucad e 10 ppo mi 5 rt c B
10 5
Hi st or y O Dep ff a ic rt e m en t
conference mapFirst georgetown Floor day school
College Counseling
FIRE EVACUATION PLAN
Admissions Suite Closet Storage
| Rainbow Families DC 2014 Conference Academic Support 105 A
28 Elevator Closet
10 4
El ec .R oo m
3
10
10
2 10 1 10 0
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Math Center
Assistant Principal
222 #1
221
221 A Technology
Server
Office
214
Girls’ Bathroom
Balcony/Mezzanine
Boys’ Bathroom
Office
216
Math Dept. Office
215
Technology
220 #2
Tech Classroom
219
Performing Arts Office
Fire/Smoke Control Room
217
218
second floor
Yearbook 223
Closet
213
Modern & Classical Languages Department Office
212
Div./CS Comm. Assistant Service Office
Debate Office 224 Library Storage
(Open to Tech Shop Below)
Tech Booth
211
Diversity/ Community Service Reception
Resource Center
Diversity Office
213 A
212 A
207
Pubs.
Student
210A
Library 208
206
209
205
High School • 4200 Davenport Street, NW
Georgetown Day School
Library Classroom 208 A
Library Office
AV
Library Tech. Lab 208 B
Academic Support
208C
210B
Second Floor
20 4
3
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conference map georgetown day school FIRE EVACUATION PLAN
Tech Booth
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El ec .R oo m
Ac Su ade 20 ppo mic rt 1 A
Pr ep
Ro om
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schedule-at-a-glance 8:30—9:15 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast | Main entrance
8:30 a.m.—5:30 p.m.
Resource Fair | Internet Café and first floor
Quiet Room | Room 211 (for parents/guardians with infants & younger children)
9:00 a.m.
Kids’ Camp Drop-Off | Second floor (for ages 2.5—11)
COLAGE Drop-Off | Second floor (for ages 11 and above)
9:30—10:45 a.m.
Conference Welcome & Opening Session featuring Judy Gold | Forum
10:45—11:15 a.m.
Be sure to visit the Resource Fair! | Internet Cafe and first floor hallways
11:15 a.m.—12:15 p.m.
Interest Sessions Block I
Track A: Paths to Parenthood
Track B: Educating Our Children, Changing Our Schools
3 Nuts and Bolts of Adoption • Room 108 3 Introduction to the Surrogacy Journey: The Experts Panel • Room 112
3 The Welcoming Schools’ Approach--Successful K-5 School Implementation • Room 106 3 Equipping Our Children for Challenge – Middle School Edition • Room 100
12:15 p.m.
Kids’ Camp pick-up for lunch | Second floor
12:15—1:15 p.m.
Lunch | First floor and Forum
1:00—1:30 p.m.
Be sure to visit the Resource Fair! | Internet Cafe and first floor hallways
1:30—2:30 p.m.
Interest Sessions Block II
Track A: Paths to Parenthood
Track B: Educating Our Children, Changing Our Schools
3 Donor Insemination 101 • Room 114 3Teens Need Love Too: Dispelling the Myths of Older Youth Fostering/Adopting from the Foster Care System • Room 100 3 Surrogacy from A-Z – A Detailed Discussion of Surrogacy • Room 112 2:30—2:45 p.m.
3 The Welcoming Schools’ Approach--Successful Middle School Implementation • Room 104 3 WISE UP: Helping Kids Navigate Adoption Issues in School • Room 101 3 Equipping Our Children for Challenge – Elementary School Edition • Room 102
Be sure to visit the Resource Fair! | Internet Cafe and first floor hallways
2:45—3:30 p.m. Discussion Groups – see page 40 for a listing of exciting discussion topics during this session 3:45—4:45 p.m.
Interest Sessions Block III Track B: Educating Our Children, Changing Our Schools
Track A: Paths to Parenthood
3 Sticky Situations in Surrogacy • Room 114 3 A Surrogacy Journey: An Inside Perspective • Room 108 3 Adopting Children of a Different Race: Considerations and Explorations • Room 107
4:45—5:30 p.m.
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3 Life Beyond the Beltway: OUT Parenting in Outer Suburbs and Rural Areas • Room 101 3 Leading the Way in Support of Our Families: Moving Beyond Tolerance to Celebration and Full Inclusion • Room 106
Kids’ Performances and Ice Cream Social | Forum
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opening session Judy Gold, Emmy Award winning actress and comedian, will make us laugh out loud with her conference keynote including stories of motherhood and screaming at her kids in public places. Gold is best known as the star of her two critically acclaimed long-running Off Broadway hit shows. Judy’s most recent show, The Judy Show—My Life As A Sitcom ran from June 2011—January 2012 at The D-R-2 theater in New York and was part of the 2013 season at The Geffen Theatre in L.A. Gold lives in New York with her two children.
Track C: Supporting Our Families
3 Parenting Toddlers & Preschoolers – Three Steps to Reducing Challenges & Raising Joy • Room 103 3 Helping Our Children Build “Where Do I Come From?” Narratives: A Workshop for Parents of Children Conceived Via Anonymous Donor Insemination • Room 114
Track D: Legal, Financial and Legislative Hot Topics
3 Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Ask a Lawyer • Room 104 3 Estate Planning for Everyone – Married, Partnered, Single, Divorced or Otherwise • Room 107
3 Parenting Teens—They Need You More Now Than Ever • Room 102 3 Building & Sustaining Our Multi-Racial Queer Families • Room 101 3 Sustaining a Spiritual Life and Finding a Faith Community for Your LGBT Family • Room 115
Track C: Supporting Our Families
Track D: Legal, Financial and Legislative Hot Topics
3 Parenting Teens & Tweens – Three Steps to Reducing Challenges & Raising Joy • Room 103
3 Building A Strong Financial Foundation for Your Family in 7 Steps • Room 108
3 Conspicuous Family Squared”: Navigating the World as White LGBT Parents Raising Children of Color • Room 107
3 Ensuring You Are a Legal Parent to Your Child • Room 106
Track C: Supporting Our Families
3 PLEASE, PLACE THE OXYGEN MASK ON YOU FIRST…” Self-Care for Parents: Essential, Vital & Sexy • Room 115
Track D: Legal, Financial and Legislative Hot Topics
3 LGBT Family Law in Virginia; What Does Your Family Need to Know? • Room 104
3 Navigating a New Life: A Facilitated Discussion for Divorced and Separated Parents • Room 100 3 Open Adoption: Navigating Relationships with Birthparents • Room 102 3 Talking with Children About Surrogacy • Room 103 3 Panel of Youth and Adults with LGBTQ Parents • Room 112
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Interest Sessions Block I 11:15 a.m.—12:15 p.m. Track A: Paths to Parenthood This track is designed to provide information of particular importance to LGBT prospective parents. 3Nuts and Bolts of Adoption Location: Room 108 Jennifer Fairfax Laura Teeter, LCSW This workshop will focus on the key issues and factors associated with both domestic agency and domestic private adoptions with special focus on issues unique to LGBT prospective parents. While there are different types of adoption a family may consider to build or grow their family, the actual process does not differ greatly. There will be in-depth discussion about the specific steps in the agency and private adoption process, including education and training of pre-adoptive parents, the home study, matching with a birth family, placement of a child, second parent adoptions (particularly when only one partner can adopt in another state) and the out of state and in-state finalization. This session will be a comprehensive and in depth overview of how LGBT families can and do successfully build their families through adoption. Both speakers believe strongly in assisting prospective adoptive parents in completing their families through the process that works for the family. The pros and cons of each option will be outlined and discussed openly. In addition, the costs, factors involved and timing associated with the adoption process will be discussed.
3 Introduction to the Surrogacy Journey: The Experts Panel Location: Room 112 Michael Doyle MD Jamie Speer Sharron Steere Colleen Iversen Jesse Skalitzky Diane S. Hinson, Esq. This interactive workshop will explore the medical issues as potential parents navigate the multiple choices associated with egg donation and surrogacy: - How do we choose an IVF clinic and how does the process work? - What can we do to minimize costs and maximize efficiency? - How do we choose the “perfect” egg donor and surrogate and what screening tests will each of us undergo? Can we meet her and stay in touch? - How many eggs should we expect, how many embryos should we transfer, and what are the chances of twins? - What options exist for HIV+ dads? - Can we choose the gender our child(ren)? - How does embryo freezing work for possible future “sibling projects”?
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Track B: Educating Our Children, Changing Our Schools This track will enable participants to explore issues related to LGBT families and our children’s schools. 3 The Welcoming Schools’ Approach— Successful K-5 School Implementation Location: Room 106 Kisha Webster Welcoming Schools, a project of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is a comprehensive approach to improve school climate with tools and resources to embrace family diversity, avoid gender stereotyping, and end bullying & name-calling. In this interactive workshop, participants will receive an overview of the Welcoming Approach and how it can be successfully implemented in elementary schools. The facilitator will share best practices in engaging schools, families and communities.
3 Equipping Our Children for Challenge— Middle School Edition Location: Room 100 Jessica Wodatch When is it time to step in and help your child in a difficult situation? How can we send our kids into the world (be it to school or for a visit with the relatives) ready to face teasing, exclusion, ignorance, and bullying? In this session we’ll explore the importance of struggle in learning, talk about when to intervene in our children’s challenges, and brainstorm strategies to support and advocate for our children. Participants will have an opportunity to explore their own response to challenges and will leave with some strategies for how to help our children handle difficult situations.
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Interest Sessions Block I 11:15 a.m.—12:15 p.m. Track C: Supporting Our Families This track offers a selection of current topics of interest to our diverse community of LGBT families. 3 Parenting Toddlers & Preschoolers—Three Steps to Reducing Challenges & Raising Joy Location: Room 103 Linda Keely Parenting young children takes a lot of physical and emotional energy and often we run out of reserves. This interactive session will discuss how to replenish what you need to raise responsible, resilient, and loving children.
3 Helping Our Children Build “Where Do I Come From?” Narratives: A Workshop for Parents of Children Conceived Via Anonymous Donor Insemination Location: Room 114 Adair Fox, MA, LCSW For parents of children conceived via anonymous donor insemination, this workshop will offer guidance on how to address children’s evolving need to know where they came from. We’ll first look at assumptions about our role as parents (with some focus on the differing experiences of biological and non-biological mothers). Second, the general principle of “following a child’s lead” will be illustrated, alongside an overview of developmentally normative spoken questions, unspoken questions, thoughts, feelings, and reactions. Finally, there are important ways in which this principle of “following a child’s lead” in insufficient in the LGBT community. We’ll look at these arguments and examine ways mothers of children conceived via anonymous donor insemination can play an active role in positively shaping their children’s identity development. All parents are welcome—from those who are just beginning to consider these issues to those who have already made “conception books,” to those with adolescents who have been building narratives for years. Following this workshop (involving presentation and discussion), participants should leave with some broad principles, specific strategies, and language for moving this ongoing work forward.
3 Parenting Teens— They Need You Now More Than Ever Location: Room 102 Kevin McGarry In addition to normal teen challenges, do your teens struggle with their identity? In this session we will discuss teen identity, trans-racial families, growing up with no mom or no dad and the age-old question “Who am I?” Do any of these struggles lead teens to act out? Do they have any peer support? We will discuss how we can collectively assist our kids as they navigate the teen years. We will share best practices for guidance, monitoring, networking and keeping them safe. This session is intended to be an interactive group discussion.
3 Building and Sustaining Our Multi-Racial Queer Families Location: Room101 Lisbeth Melendez Rivera Lisa Weiner-Mahfuz Calling all multi-racial families! This workshop is for chosen and biological families loving, learning and growing together in their understanding of what it means to be a multi-racial family in a society where racism prevails. If you are interested in engaging in a meaningful conversation about racism, culture and parenting please join us!
3 Sustaining a Spiritual Life and Finding a Faith Community for Your LGBT Family Location: Room 115 Dr. Patricia Lyons All too often LGBTQ families find themselves alone or even rejected by religious communities and mainstream religious language. Despite the increasing numbers of people who have family members who identify as LGBTQ, many folks find it hard to locate faith-based communities, schools and networks that affirm and celebrate their families and their desire for a spiritual family life. The good news is that there are a number of local churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and other virtual communities committed to the holiness and wholeness of LGBTQ families. Come hear an entertaining and uplifting presentation of the resources and the reasons to bring an unconditionally loving and inclusive spiritual life into your LGBTQ family.
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Interest Sessions Block I 11:15 a.m.—12:15 p.m. Track D: Legal and Financial Topics for LGBT Families This track will explore key legal and financial planning issues as well as valuable strategies for LGBT couples and families.
matter to my
school
3 Everything You Wanted to Ask a Lawyer Location: Room 104 Susan Silber This is a time of many legal questions for LGBT parents. Some concerns may not be answered in other workshops or may seem overwhelming, but sometimes the specific answer is not as important as designing a good legal strategy to address the concern. Sue has been answering questions and developing legal strategies for our community for over 30 years. In addition to family law, Sue also represents clients in employment matters and has municipal clients. Sometimes her role is to provide advice, sometimes it is to provide a referral to an attorney with the needed expertise, and sometimes it is modifying the question and directing it differently to get the best results. This workshop offers participants an opportunity to ask questions that might not be addressed by other workshops. This is your opportunity to ask a lawyer anything you have always wanted to know, but haven’t had the chance!
3 Estate Planning for Everyone—Married, Partnered, Single, Divorced or Otherwise Location: Room 107 Megan M. Wallace, Esq. Come learn about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance medical directives and naming guardians for your children. If you are married do you still need these documents? Yes! Does your spouse automatically inherit everything? No! Megan will explain estate-planning basics using plain English—not legalese. Who will take care of your children if you are not able to? Should you leave assets to the children in trust? Who will be the trustee? Does your child have special needs that require a particular manner of distribution? Megan will discuss the factors to consider when choosing a guardian for your children and a trustee for their funds. Who should take care of your finances and make medical decisions for you if you become mentally unable to do so? A few critical documents can help safeguard your family during difficult times. Regardless of your financial position, this workshop is essential to learn about simple ways to protect you and your family.
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All-girls education, K–12. Preschool for girls and boys.
Explore An Education Above at Roland Park Country School Call to schedule your visit 5204 Roland Avenue • Baltimore, MD 21210
rpcs.org • 410.323.5500
facebook.com/rolandparkcountryschool
II
Interest Sessions Block II 1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m. Track A: Paths to Parenthood 3 Donor Insemination 101 Location: Room 114
Rani Abbasi, MD
This workshop will provide the basics for the donor insemination novice, including an overview of the process of artificial insemination. We will cover evaluation, timing, choice of donors, (anonymous or known), and medicated vs. natural cycles. Lastly, we will help to answer the question of when is it time to move forward to the next step?
3 Teens Need Love Too: Dispelling the Myths of Older Youth Fostering/Adopting from the Foster Care System Location: Room 100 Regina Lawson This workshop will be an interactive discussion with parents who have foster/adopted teens through the child welfare system. The workshop will also help in dispelling the myths that Teens do not want to be fostered and/or adopted. Come and learn what are the needs of older youth in the child welfare system and how you can make a difference in the life of a teen.
3 Surrogacy from A-Z—A Detailed Discussion of Surrogacy Location: Room 112 Pierre Asmar, MD Sandra Litsinger Lippard Fady I. Sharara, MD This panel will present a comprehensive review of the timeline, costs, and processes required for a surrogacy journey. Topics will include an in-depth review of the screening and matching process, legal considerations, and health insurance issues. Two of the area’s top Reproductive Endocrinologists will provide a detailed roadmap of the medical protocols and procedures required for third party reproduction as well as a primer on the process of procuring donor eggs (for male/male couples).
Track B: Educating Our Children, Changing Our Schools 3 The Welcoming Schools’ Approach--Successful Middle School Implementation Location: Room 104 Kisha L. Webster Welcoming Schools, a project of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is a comprehensive approach to improve school climate with tools and resources to embrace family diversity, avoid gender stereotyping, and end bullying & name-calling. In this interactive workshop, participants will receive an overview of the Welcoming Schools’ Approach and how it can be successfully implemented in middle schools. The facilitator will share best practices in engaging schools, families and communities.
3 WISE UP: Helping Kids Navigate Adoption Issues in School Location: Room 101 Ellen Singer, LCSW-C Cynthia Cubbage, LCSW-C A popular tool developed by C.A.S.E. to empower adopted children, the W.I.S.E. UP!sm program teaches children and their parents how to handle comments and questions about adoption. W.I.S.E. UP!sm gives children, teens, and parents the power to choose comfortable ways to communicate about adoption with others. This program has spread across the country as children have embraced its simplicity and power to address the consistent challenge of explaining adoption and their adoption stories.
3 Equipping Our Children for Challenge— Elementary School Edition Location: Room 102 Jessica Wodatch When is it time to step in and help your child in a difficult situation? How can we send our kids into the world (be it to school or for a visit with the relatives) ready to face teasing, exclusion, ignorance, and bullying? In this session we’ll explore the importance of struggle in learning, talk about when to intervene in our children’s challenges, and brainstorm strategies to support and advocate for our children. Participants will have an opportunity to explore their own response to challenges and will leave with some strategies for how to help our children handle difficult situations.
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II
Interest Sessions Block II 1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m. Track C: Supporting Our Families
Track D: Legal and Financial Topics for LGBT Families
3 Parenting Teens & Tweens—Three Steps to Reducing Challenges & Raising Joy Location: Room 103 Linda Keely
3 Building a Strong Financial Foundation for Your Family in 7 steps Location: Room 108 Fran Toler
Suddenly the parenting methods that we’ve used for the past ten years are not getting the same response. You have now entered the adolescent zone. This interactive session will discuss why things are different and how you can maintain a loving and communicative relationship.
Your family has the love, dreams and dedication it needs—what financial matters should every new LGBT family work on to make a strong foundation? This workshop will examine 7 critical areas that every family must address to build a great future together, and common pitfalls that create stress and worry. Walk away with exercises and ideas to create a happier and more functional financial life.
3 “ Conspicuous Family Squared”: Navigating the World as White LGBT Parents Raising Children of Color Location: Room 107 Richard Gervase “Conspicuous Family” is a term often used to describe white couples who have children of a different race/ethnicity, where it is “obvious” or “presumed” that the child was adopted and the floodgates are open for people to ask questions, speculate, or judge. For LGBT families, particularly same-sex couples, there is an added dimension of conspicuousness—of being different— and often we struggle to understand whether it is race, gender or sexual orientation at play when our children, extended family, neighbors, teachers, express curiosity, judgment, or confusion about our family structure. This workshop will allow open, honest conversation about the intersections of race, gender and sexual orientation in our families, and provide opportunities for parents to share ideas and resources with each other for supporting our children as they navigate these various identities in an often homophobic, racist world. This workshop is geared toward parents of younger/school age children.
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3 Ensuring You Are a Legal Parent to Your Child Location: Room 106 Michele Zavos This workshop will cover all of the ways same-sex couples and people can insure that they both have recognized legal relationships to their children. We will discuss marriage, secondparent adoptions, step-parent adoptions, pre- and post-birth orders, and how all of these legal relationships are obtained in the three metropolitan area jurisdictions. We will also discuss the legal issues raised by egg transfers between lesbian couples, surrogacy by gay male couples, and the legal significance of birth certificates.
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Interest Sessions Block III 3:45—4:45 p.m.
Track A: Paths to Parenthood
3 Sticky Situations in Surrogacy Location: Room 114 Rani Abbasi, MD Gilbert L. Mottla, MD Meryl B. Rosenberg Michele Zavos This workshop will provide attendees who have become more serious about pursuing surrogacy with more clarification about certain unexpected ‘Sticky Situations in Surrogacy.’ This panel of speakers will explore in detail the possible complications from both a medical and legal perspective. This panel of educators will provide an oversight about the complications that can present in the surrogacy process AND ways to avoid those complications BEFORE THEY ARISE, or TO solve them if they arise.
3 A Surrogacy Journey: An Inside Perspective Location: Room 108 Moderator: Jesse Skalitzky Panelists This workshop will include the realities of surrogacy, shared by those who have been part of the process. The session will include a chance to hear from intended parents and surrogates who have successfully been part of surrogacy. Panelists will try to provide a contextual feel for the authenticity of the process by sharing personal stories and experiences.
3 Adopting Children of a Different Race: Considerations and Explorations Location: Room 107 Beth Wheeler Building or expanding your family by adoption is a journey compromised of many complex decisions ranging from the practical legal and financial considerations, to the specifics of the type of child or children you feel equipped to parent. Many prospective adoptive parents feel sure, or “sure enough” they can effectively parent a child of a different race, yet miss the opportunity to explore openly and honestly what it will really mean for them, for their children, and for their overall lived experience as a family. This workshop is intended to help you know what questions to ask yourself now, to understand what transracial adoptive families experience in “the real world,” and how to best prepare yourself and equip your children to thrive. This workshop is ideal for those in the pre-adoptive/prospective adoptive stage and interested in how to assess your capacity for parenting across racial lines.
Track B: Educating Our Children, Changing Our Schools 3 Life Beyond the Beltway: OUT Parenting in Outer Suburbs and Rural Areas Location: Room 101 Renee Bradley-Black Kayla Etheridge Angie Goodwin-Slater This session will explore life Beyond the Beltway. For those who may be the only gay-led family in your neighborhood, church, soccer team or school, this session is for you. Come join your fellow suburban or rural LGBT-led families for a frank discussion about navigating the unique aspects of life outside the beltway. A panel of parents will share their experiences of blazing the trail both challenges, triumphs and the everyday boring. The panel will be led by Renee Bradley.
3 Leading the Way in Support of Our Families: Moving Beyond Tolerance to Celebration and Full Inclusion Location: Room 106 Panelists Historically many of Washington’s independent schools have led the way in creating inclusive school communities. Today, many of these schools have moved beyond policies that just prohibit bullying and name calling and are intentionally forming communities that include our families and that celebrate them. Come hear from 3 panelists representing Maret, St. Patrick’s Episcopal School and Green Acres School. David Leary will moderate this panel of experts and help those attending learn what these schools are doing and how they can help bring change to their own schools.
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III
Interest Sessions Block III 3:45—4:45 p.m.
Track C: Supporting Our Families
3 “ Please, Place The Oxygen Mask On You First…” Self-Care for Parents: Essential, Vital & Sexy Location: Room 115 Amelie Zurn Do you find yourself fatigued? Juggling & dropping the many balls you find yourself holding? Are you often overwhelmed with your life as a parent? Disconnected from your partner/ co-parent? Take a break or at least a short one. Come to this workshop aimed at improving your self–nourishment. Increase your capacity to sustain your parent-self as you do one of the most challenging & rewarding jobs of your life. Join us for a conversation about how we are managing to take care of ourselves as we are also partners and managers of our families. We will talk about things that get in the way of self-care. Then we will brainstorm ways to decrease overwhelm and improve our lives and the lives of our kids. In this honest and compassionate workshop facilitated by a mom and a social worker, we will help each other look and wiggle into greater abundance as parents. We will create personalized action plans to help care for ourselves and benefit our kids and our families overall.
3 Navigating a New Life: A Facilitated Discussion for Divorced and Separated Parents Location: Room 100 Mike Giordano Ellen Kahn Living life as a divorced or separated parent is a huge challenge. From dealing with other peoples’ disappointments in your ended relationship to navigating co-parenting and dating, this is a newer and less discussed aspect of LGBTQ parenting. Ellen Kahn and Mike Giordano, who have both gone through this experience, will facilitate a discussion about the challenges and excitement inherent in “moving on”.
3 Open Adoption: Navigating Relationships with Birthparents Location: Room 102 Jessica V. Taylor, LGSW The relationship between adoptive and birth parents is at once complicated, challenging, and highly gratifying. It is only natural for adoptive parents to worry about how to build and sustain a mutually rewarding connection that keeps the best interests of their child at the forefront. This seminar will explore several critical issues related to communicating with birth parents such as establishing clear agreements up front, what to do and say during the first meeting, the importance of pictures and letters, entrustment ceremonies, and steps to take when problems arise. The topic of search and reunion will also be addressed. Being informed and prepared is the first step toward alleviating anxiety and establishing a healthy foundation for you and your child.
3 Talking With Your Children About Surrogacy Location: Room 103 Moderator: Diane S. Hinson, Esq. Panelists: Ron Dayan-Poole Carla Lewis-Long Joyce Migdal Every parent braces for the question: “Where did I come from?” Even Dads get asked: “Which of your tummies did I come from?” How should you answer? How much information is the right amount? How do you talk about the surrogate? The donor? Should you wait for questions or be proactive? Clearly, it is good to think through these issues before you get your first question. Some of you may already have gotten these questions. Come to this interactive workshop to hear and share views: from a psychologist, whose expertise is assisted reproduction; from an author of a book written for parents to read to their children (who is also a parent via surrogacy); from a parent who has faced these issues within his own LGBT family; and from your fellow conference attendees. Come ready to listen, ask questions, and share your own experiences and thoughts!
3 Panel of Youth and Adults with LGBTQ Parents Location: Room 112 Moderater: Robin Marquis COLAGE will host a panel of youth and adults with LGBTQ parents to talk about their experiences growing up around in LGBTQ families. This is a unique opportunity for the public to hear authentic stories from youth and adult “children of,” ask questions of the panel and gain insight into the lives of people with LGBTQ parents.
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III
Interest Sessions Block III 3:45—4:45 p.m.
Track D: Legal and Financial Topics for LGBT Families 3 LGBT Family Law in Virginia; What Does Your Family Need to Know? Location: Room 104 Eva N. Juncker Camellia Jacobs
This workshop will include an overview of family law in the Commonwealth of Virginia, as it applies to LGBT families both living in Virginia and traveling to Virginia for activities and visits. While the Virginia marriage case(s) seem to be heading in a positive direction, decades of harsh legal decisions for the LGBT community in Virginia make it a challenging jurisdiction for LGBT family equality. Come learn about the status of family law in Virginia and how it affects your family, whether you live there, or travel there.
Calling for RFDC Board Members! If you liked this conference and want to help make a difference in the lives of LGBT-headed families, consider joining the RFDC Board of Directors. Please speak with any board member at today’s conference or email us at info@rainbowfamiliesdc.org
Areas of Focus:
Since 1978, the team at Columbia Fertility Associates has been helping both traditional and non-‐traditional families make their dreams become reality and conceive a child, often relying on specialized third party reproductive options including donor egg and sperm programs and gestational surrogacy. Columbia Fertility Associates’ JCAHO-‐accredited lab utilizes cutting-‐edge methodologies inclusive of In-‐Vitro fertilization (IVF), Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), Natural Cycle IVF, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), pICSI, Pre-‐implantation Genetic Testing, and Cryopreservation of Oocytes, Sperm, and Embryos.
Consistently recognized as Washingtonian’s “Top Doctors,” Columbia Fertility Associates offers state-‐of-‐the-‐art technology and expertise to diagnose and treat the complex medical issues that accompany female and male infertility. With board certiWications ranging from OB/GYN, Reproductive Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, and with specialists in Embryology and Andrology, the physicians are able to provide patients with individualized one-‐on-‐one care to determine the patient’s cause of infertility and create a customized treatment plan for the patient to Wit their unique and personal situation.
• In-‐Vitro Fertilization (IVF) • Natural Cycle IVF • Intrauterine Insemination • Donor Egg • Donor Sperm • Gestational Carriers • Oocyte Cryopreservation • Embryo Banking • Genetic Testing • Clinical Research Studies Three Convenient Locations: 2440 M Street NW, Suite 401 Washington, DC 20037 202.293.6567
10215 Fernwood Road, Suite 301A Bethesda, MD 20817 301.897.8850
1635 N. George Mason Drive, Suite 155 Arlington, VA 22205 703.525.4776 Visit us today at: www.columbiafertilityassociates.com
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discussion groups 2:45—3:30 p.m. Ages and Stages: Talking with Children Adoption Room 112
Legal Issues Q & A with Sue Silber Room 100
This discussion group will help parents establish comfortable, effective communication to assist their children to understand their adoption story. Discover what children understand about adoption at different developmental ages and stages. Focusing primarily on ages 3-12, find out how to share information with your children as they grow – including information that is considered difficult, negative or painful.
Please come with any questions about parenting legal issues, including second parent/joint adoptions, parentage, sperm donor agreements, children and break-ups, and more.
Being a Dad in a Mom’s World Room 104 As primary caregivers, gay dads face continuing challenges to their gender roles. From late night feedings and diaper changes, to packing lunches and being a room “mom” all the way to playing basketball with our kids even though hours of sports might not be in our personal DNA. In this discussion group we explore how gay dads carry out untraditional parenting roles.
Considering Parenthood Room 107 Come join others who are contemplating becoming parents, and get an overview of upcoming Maybe Baby groups. Bring your questions and your thoughts.
Donor Insemination: Advanced Session Room 106
Parents of Younger Children Room 103 How do we decide what to call ourselves as “parents,”? Will it matter to our children, at school, or with our extended family? How does your child tell the story of their family? Are you the only LGBT family in your neighborhood or school? Come share your challenges and successes.
Transcultural Families Room 101 Discuss ideas for how the to “knit” various cultures together into a coherent, functional whole. Bring your ideas and questions.
Welcoming Schools Room 102 Kisha Webster, of HRC’s Welcoming Schools team, leads a discussion on Welcoming Schools: a K-5 approach for students of LGBT parents. The program is coming to Montgomery County. Join the discussion about what you can do to help get organized.
Q&A with Dr. Abbasi about the myriad of questions about donor insemination. This session is geared for those who attended Dr. Abbasi’s Donor Insemination 101 workshop.
Families Created Via Anonymous Donor Insemination Room 108 Where did I come from? Who is my daddy? How much of my identity is from someone I will never know? From toddlers to teens the questions change. We will explore the challenges facing families created via anonymous donor insemination.
Adair Fox LCSW PLLC Psychotherapist 1730 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Suite 506 Washington, DC 20036 202-577-6074 (phone) 202-204-6345 (fax) adairfoxlcsw@gmail.com www.adairfoxlcsw.com
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about our presenters Rani Abbasi, M.D., is a board certified reproductive endocrinologist in private practice at Columbia Fertility Associates in Bethesda, MD. She received her post graduate training in reproductive endocrinology at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC and the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. She served on active duty in the U.S Army for 10 years. She was an assistant professor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Texas. She has served as clinical investigator in several clinical trials of fertility medications. She has published peer reviewed articles on the effect of hormones on the reproductive system. She has been repeatedly chosen as one of the TOP DOCTORS in the Washingtonian magazine by her peers. She has been recognized by US news and World Report 2013. Dr. Pierre Asmar is the founder of the Washington Fertility Center and a renowned fertility doctor who has been assisting infertility couples in the Washington Metro Area since 1983. Dr. Asmar completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO. He also completed a Board approved Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Washington University in St. Louis where he served as an Instructor. He also held the position of Clinical Instructor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Asmar’s expertise in fertility care includes IVF, donor egg, laparoscopy, and hysteroscopy surgeries as well as myomectomy for conservative surgical removal of uterine fibroids. He is also an authority in microsurgery for same day tubal ligation reversal. Dr. Asmar has repeatedly been nominated by his peers as ‘Top Doctor’ in the Washingtonian and Northern Virginia Magazine.
Renée Bradley-Black has over twenty-five years in the field of special education. She began her career as a teacher working with children with emotional and behavioral disabilities. Throughout her career she has worked to improve services for children with disabilities in the public school system, as an educational consultant and a university faculty member. For the last 16 years she has worked for the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs. Renée serves on several professional editorial boards, as an advisor for Welcoming Schools and the RTI Action Network and a school volunteer. Renée Bradley has been on the Board of Rainbow Families DC since 2008 and currently serves as Vice President and Co-Chair of the
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about our presenters Program Committee. Renée and Katherine, her partner of 17 years, and their two children Sydney and Gibson live in Manassas, Virginia.
Cynthia Cubbage, LCSW-C, Program Director of 3L Live, Learn and Lead Academy, a Program of The Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), has provided individual, group, and family counseling to adoptive and foster families for over 15 years. Through an adoption competent lens, she specializes in treating children and youth with attachment issues, behavioral issues, emotional regulation difficulties, sensory processing disorder, ASD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, complex trauma, bicultural socialization, and intergenerational/intercultural family issues. Cynthia and her wife created their family through private domestic and international adoption. They have two beautiful children.
Jennifer Danish, a 1990 graduate of Bryn Mawr College and a 1996 graduate of the Bread Loaf School of English, has been an educator and administrator in independent schools for 20 years. After seven years teaching in boarding schools, Jen moved to the DC area and spent one year as the athletic director for girls at The Bullis School before starting her family. In 2002, Jen began working at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School as the Director of Admission and Financial Aid and, in 2012, she became the Assistant Head of School for Enrollment, Communication, and Marketing. Jen serves on the Gender and Sexuality Diversity Committee for the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools.
Kayla Etheridge has over 22 years in law enforcement and currently works for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a Canine Advisor over the Port of Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. She lives in Leesburg, VA with her beautiful partner, Ginny, of over six years and her two wonderful children, Josie, 11 year old daughter and Clay, 8 year old son. Jennifer Fairfax is a family building attorney licensed in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Jennifer handles second parent adoptions, domestic private and agency adoptions and international re-adoptions for all family types. She also works with gestational carriers, intended parents, sperm and egg donors and recipients. Jennifer
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about our presenters has been working within the LGBT community for over 15 years and if often regarded as the leading attorney in the area on parentage matters, particularly as it relates to LGBT parents. She teaches courses on adoption and assisted reproduction technology matters for prospective parents, lawyers and judges. She authored the 2011 ABA Book, “Adoption Law Handbook” and has published several articles on adoption and surrogacy. She has appeared on “Law School for the Public” television show and radio shows talking about adoption and ART. Jennifer is also licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
Adair Fox, MA, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with a private practice in Dupont Circle. Her post-graduate degrees are in the fields of education, school psychology, and social work. She has provided consultation and psychotherapy services for children, adolescents, and adults for almost twenty years. Today, her practice is devoted primarily to therapeutic work with adults, addressing a broad range of concerns. She always welcomes opportunities to support parents within her practice and in community-based settings. Over the years, Adair has facilitated several “Maybe Groups” and led workshops for RFDC. Adair and her partner have two boys (ages 9 & 11), infusing life with plentiful challenges and joys. Mike Giordano is a single, divorced dad of a rowdy and wonderful 10 year daughter. He has been involved with Rainbow Families DC for many years. His favorite activity is embarrassing his daughter by emceeing the talent show at the annual conference. Mike is a yogi, a budding volleyball fan, and is addicted to “The Walking Dead”. Finally, Mike is also a psychotherapist in private practice, serving individuals and couples and specializing in gender identity & sex therapy. He blogs at www.WhatIHearYouSaying.com Angie Goodwin-Slater is a barista at Starbucks, a paramedic, and assistant chief of EMS administration for the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department. She lives in Dale City, Virginia, with her partner Kim, of 17 years, and their two children Calen (6) and Skyler (3). Angie joined the Rainbow Families DC board of directors last summer and works on membership issues.
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about our presenters Diane S. Hinson, Esq. a cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, founded Creative Family Connections LLC on the principle that “everyone can build a family,” after starting her own family as a single mother. She obtained the first pre-birth parentage order for same-sex parents in Maryland, helped open the doors of IVF clinics in the metropolitan DC area to gay dads, and prepared the first draft of gayfriendly surrogacy legislation in both Maryland and DC. She serves as HRC’s pro-bono counsel for surrogacy issues, has taught surrogacy classes as part of the Rainbow Families DC “Maybe Baby” series for 9 years, and has been a longstanding
Where
Fabulous
Camellia Jacobs is an experienced litigator, trained mediator, and Collaborative Law Practitioner. She serves as Of Counsel at Zavos Juncker Law Group, PLLC, and is also the founder of Jacobs Mediation LLC, a mediation practice dedicated to helping families resolve conflict respectfully and efficiently. In addition to her legal practice, Camellia serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Law at American University, Washington College of Law, where she teaches Family Law and Externship Seminars. With a background in international peace and out . . . conflict resolution studies, and as an Iranian-American raising two children in a culturally mixed family, Camellia is particularly qualified in helping families with blended cultural, racial, and/or religious backgrounds. LaPlaca Cohen 212-675-4106
Hillwood welcomes all families to find
sponsor of Rainbow Family’s Family Conference. Diane is well known as the legal expert who answers questions on the Surromomsonline.com legal forum.
Lives
Publication: RAINBOW
Jocelyn Johnson is the Diversity Director at Green Acres School in North Bethesda. She has served on the Board of Trustees at Green Acres, and is currently part of the Leadership Team for the Board Diversity Committee. She chairs the Staff Diversity Committee, which holds monthly meeting to discuss ways in which the teachers can enhance the curriculum and plan activities for the students, as well as professional development opportunities for the staff. She is trained as a SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) facilitator. SEED is a yearlong seminar designed for participates to share and reflect on their life experiences, and also learn about and reflect on others perspectives and how all of this shapes our thinking and view. Some of her other diversity related training and experiences include The National Association of Independent Schools Summer Diversity Institute, and a member of the Association of Independent Schools of Maryland Diversity Council. FAMILIES CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Insertion date:
APRIL 24, 2010
Don’t miss Gay Day, coming this fall!
For information call 202.686.5807 or visit HillwoodMuseum.org 4155 Linnean Ave. NW, Washington DC Free parking HIL-0001-RainbowConfProg_Apr2010_v4.indd 1
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4/7/10 2:27:57 PM
about our presenters Work and Social Research. Ellen lives with her two daughters in Eva N. Juncker is a founding partner at Zavos Juncker Silver Spring, MD. Law Group, PLLC and head of the litigation team. Eva’s practice focuses on all areas of family law, divorce, juvenile law, Linda Keely has facilitated parenting education classes transgender issues, custody, support, equitable distribution, in child development and effective parenting strategies to and partition. Eva has served as lead counsel on several over 750 parents and caregivers. Her passion for parenting groundbreaking cases, including a case of nationwide first helps ensure her classes are educational, engaging, and impression wherein she successfully argued for recognition of entertaining. She also provided consulting services to the a same sex common law marriage in the District of Columbia, Federal Administration for Children & Families for over 16 and another case of first impression in the District of Columbia, years. Most importantly, Linda has two children and two wherein she successfully argued that a burial designation step-children. She believes parenting is the hardest and most could be executed via an electronic signature. Eva is presently rewarding job. Chair-Elect of the Virginia State Bar’s Diversity Conference. Raised in Fairfax County, Virginia, Eva and her spouse of 17 years live in Bethesda, Maryland, where they E RE ELPING EOPLE CHIEVE enjoy raising their daughter and their two disabled, but highly active HAT HEY ANT OST AMILY Australian Shepherds.
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Ellen Kahn is the Director of the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Children, Youth, and Families Program. In her role, Ellen provides national leadership and expertise in public education and advocacy efforts to achieve full equality for LGBT families. Under Ellen’s leadership, the Family Project has launched three highly successful, innovative programs that promote fair and inclusive policies and practices: All Children—All Families; Welcoming Schools; and the Healthcare Equality Index. Ellen is sought out as an expert on LGBT adoption, speaking at numerous national and regional conferences, and providing training for hundreds of child welfare and adoption professionals. Prior to joining HRC, Ellen spent 12 years at the Whitman-Walker Clinic in various roles, including director of the Lesbian Services Program and associate director of LGBT Health Promotion. In addition, Ellen serves as President of the Board of Directors of Rainbow Families DC. Ellen received her B.S. from Temple University and her M.S.S. from the Bryn Mawr College School of Social
P M
A –A F
Dr. Abbasi offers state-of-theart technology and expertise in IVF, ICSI, oocyte and embryo cryopreservation, as well as a large donor egg database. She is experienced in preimplantation genetic diagnosis and family balancing. Chosen by her peers as a “Top Doctor” in Washingtonian magazine Rafat Abbasi, MD, FACOG she treats every patient with warmth, compassion and personal attention. Let Dr. Abbasi help you achieve what you want most— a family.
10215 Fernwood Rd.
1635 N. George Mason Dr.
(301) 897-8850
(703) 525-4776
Bethesda, MD
Arlington, VA
www.ColumbiaFertility.com Rainbow Families DC 2014 Conference | 45
about our presenters Regina Lawson is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 16 years of experience in the area of Child Welfare, Social Work and Community Organizing. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Hunter College Social of Social Work in New York City and is in the Dissertation phase of earning a Ph.D in Public Service Leadership with a focus on Community and Social Services. Ms. Lawson serves as a supervisor of social workers in the Family Resources Division of Child and Family Services Agency, which is the Public Child Welfare agency serving children and families of the District. In addition, she serves as Co-Chair for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Task Force at CFSA. Prior to coming to the District, Ms. Lawson was instrumental in organizing neighborhoods and streamlining services in high risk communities in New York City for children and families. David Leary joined the board in 2009. He and his husband are the proud parents of two wonderful daughters. David and his family live in Bethesda, Maryland. RFDC has touched the lives of David’s family right from the start through its Maybe Baby class and continues to do so with its educational programming, social gatherings and bi-annual conference. David is a lawyer with a practice focusing on the drafting and negotiation of technologyrelated agreements and intellectual property. He began his legal career as an attorney with Arnold & Porter in Washington, DC and now works part time for a small number of individual clients. David serves as the chair of Rainbow Families DC’s Finance & Fundraising Committee where his focus is on ensuring the long term vitality of RFDC. For several years, David taught as a guest lecturer at Georgetown University Law Center. His teaching focused on legal matters relating to adoption, surrogacy, civil unions, marriage, and domestic partnership benefits.
Carla Lewis-Long juggles multiple careers as a television executive, entrepreneur, and mother. Carla currently serves as Vice Present of Affiliate Sales and Marketing for nuvo TV. In 2011, she was named one of the most influential minorities in cable TV. Carla has published two picture books for parents who used a surrogate to read with their children. The first, Why I’m So Special, was written after Carla’s daughter was born via surrogacy. The second is Why I’m So Special: a Book About Surrogacy With Two Daddies. Carla’s books are a huge success. She also publishes “The Special Surrogacy Daily,” a collection of on-line articles and stories about surrogacy. Last September, Carla appeared with Diane on DC’s only LGBT radio talk show, “Sheila Live,” to discuss surrogacy.
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Sandra Litsinger Lippard is president and founder of Family Forward Surrogacy (FFS), a boutique surrogacy agency headquartered in Bethesda, MD. Sandra is the mother of twin 4 year olds through surrogacy, and understands the surrogacy journey from both a personal and a professional perspective. FFS provides hands-on, personalized support for both Intended Parents and Gestational Surrogates. Sandra handles Intended Parent relations, and oversees the strategy used in recruiting superior Gestational Surrogates through a number of innovative methods including strategically leveraging social media. Family Forward Surrogacy is a proud supporter of the following organizations: Rainbow Families DC, The DC Center, Family Equality Council, Human Rights Campaign, Men Having Babies, and RESOLVE—the National Infertility Association.
Dr. Patricia Lyons is the JK-12 Director of Service Learning and a campus minister at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, VA. She has a degree in the Comparative Study of Religion from Harvard College, a master of divinity degree from the Harvard Divinity School and a doctorate from Virginia Theological Seminary. For 15 years, Patricia has taught ethics and religion in the Upper School. Patricia is also an adjunct instructor at the Virginia Theological Seminary, where she has taught courses in Systematic Theology, CS Lewis, Sigmund Freud, Theology and Fiction, and Christian Themes in Harry Potter. Patricia has published numerous sermons, articles and book chapters on moral and spiritual development, and wrote the acclaimed book The Soul of Adolescence: In Their Own Words. Her coming out story is one of the chapters in the celebrated book “One Teacher in Ten,” edited by Kevin Jennings. Robin Marquis is the National Program Director for COLAGE, an organization the connects and empowers people with LGBTQ parents. She was brought into the world by a lesbian mother, a bisexual mother and a queer father. Raised in rural northern New Mexico, she found her pride in her family by connecting to a community of peers dedicated to eradicating oppression and privilege for all disadvantaged communities. Robin has a self designed degree from Fairhaven College at Western Washington University titled, “Empowerment Education through the Environment and Creative Arts,” with a LGBT Cultural Studies minor. Robin has worked in Seattle with Powerful Voices, Camp Ten Trees, YouthCare, and Teen Link providing social justice youth empowerment programming that creates leadership and healing arts education for marginalized youth. Robin lives in San Francisco where she creates art that provides voice and color to silenced topics in her own life.
about our presenters Kevin McGarry is a father of two sons he adopted as infants who are now 16 and 13 years old. In 1999, he founded the Maybe Baby Group for Men at the Whitman Walker Clinic. He is the author of Fatherhood for Gay Men, An Emotional and Practical Guide to Becoming a Gay Dad, published in 2003.
Lisbeth Melendez Rivera and Lisa WeinerMahfuz have been building their multi-racial family for the past decade and a half. As racial justice and queer organizers working in multiple movements for social justice, they are committed to applying their racial justice values to their personal lives. Lisbeth is currently the director of Latin and Catholic Programs at the Human Rights Campaign. Lisa is currently the Vice President of Programs and Development for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Together they have co-parented several children and are surrounded by a wildly diverse chosen and biological family in the US and Puerto Rico.
Hospital, University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Mottla completed a two-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility at George Washington School of Medicine. He is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology. Dr. Mottla has been recently recognized by the Washingtonian Magazine and the Annapolis City Magazine, top doctor’s edition in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. His particular area of special interest includes evaluation and care of couples utilizing gestational surrogacy and egg donation.
Joyce Migdal is a clinical psychologist licensed in Maryland and Virginia who has had a private practice specializing in Assisted Reproductive Technology for the past 15 years. She evaluates and screens oocyte donors and gestational carriers, and consults with intended parents who are using assisted reproductive technologies to build their families. Dr. Migdal is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the American Psychological Association (APA).
Gilbert L. Mottla, M.D. received his medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine, where he won the Dr. David Rothbaum award for superior academic achievement in Obstetrics and Gynecology along with compassion and understanding toward patients. He completed his internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at McGee-Women’s Rainbow Families DC 2014 Conference | 47
about our presenters Meryl B. Rosenberg is an attorney specializing in third party reproduction for over 20 years. She is the owner of a comprehensive program devoted exclusively to all legal and other aspects of surrogacy, gamete and embryo donation, and other matters involving third party and assisted reproductive technologies (ART), as well as second parent/stepparent adoption. Ms. Rosenberg is an active participant in furthering the education and expansion of the field of reproductive law, and is an innovator and leader in the field of ART. Ms. Rosenberg has authored a number of articles in various publications and on-line on the topic of ART legal issues, and on surrogacy and egg donation, and often speaks on the same subjects for professionals in the field and for intended parents and those seeking to assist them in building families through ART.
Fady I. Sharara, M.D, FACOG, is a Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist/Infertility specialist, and a Board Certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist. He received his B.S in Chemistry in 1982, and his M.D in 1986. He completed his residency in OB/GYN at George Washington University, followed by a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the NIH. He is the founder and Medical Director for the Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine (VCRM) in Reston, VA, and
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is a Clinical Professor at GWU. Dr. Sharara has published more than 70 scientific papers and book chapters. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, and is on the speaker’s bureau for multiple companies. Dr. Sharara is also a reviewer for Fertility and Sterility, Human Reproduction, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Human Fertility, Journal of Assisted reproduction and Genetics, and the Middle East Fertility Society Journal. His program has had one of the highest ART success rates in the USA for the past several years.
Sue Silber has dedicated her legal career to advancing the rights of all families. Sue founded the law firm of Silber, Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, PA, located in Takoma Park, Maryland. In addition to traditional legal representation, Sue is an experienced mediator and collaborative attorney. She has assisted hundreds of people in cooperatively forming their families. Sue has been featured on national television and is a frequent guest speaker who has talked extensively on LGBTQ parenting issues, including custody, adoption, and surrogacy. Susan is a member of the National Family Law Advisory Council of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, currently serves on the board of Equality Maryland and the Divorce Roundtable, and is a past president of the LGBT Bar Association of Maryland.
about our presenters Ellen Singer, LCSW-C is an adoption-competent therapist/ educator for the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) in the D. C. metropolitan area. She provides clinical services for prospective parents considering adoption/third party reproduction, foster and adoptive parents, adult adopted persons and their families, and expectant/birth parents and their families. Ms. Singer facilitates adoptive parent support groups and provides training to parents, community groups, educators, child welfare and mental health professionals. She is the editor of C.A.S.E.’s monthly e-newsletter and contributes articles to parent/professional publications. Ms. Singer has served on the Board of Directors for RESOLVE of the MidAtlantic, and the Professional Advisory Council for RESOLVE. Ms. Singer and her husband are parents to two children, by adoption and by birth.
Jesse Skalitzky has a degree in developmental biology from the University of Wisconsin. As an undergrad, she was drawn to reproductive health and interned as a student embryologist at the University of Wisconsin Hospital IVF & ART Clinic. It is here that her passion for building families grew. She went on to be an egg donor and eventually was a gestational carrier three times. Jesse carried for a gay couple in NYC and twice for another gay couple in DC. In 2010 Jesse founded Pink
& Blue Surrogacy and Fertility, LLC. Since its inception, Jesse has been the program director and surrogacy coordinator. Jesse resides on 35 acres East of Madison, WI with her husband, Paul and their three children, Jori, Kegan and Brenen.
Jessica V. Taylor, LGSW, is the Domestic Infant Adoption Counselor at Adoptions Together, an adoption agency licensed in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. She has been working with Adoptions Together since 2011.
Laura Teeter, LCSW, is the Domestic Infant Program Manager at Adoptions Together, an adoption agency licensed in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. She has been working with Adoptions Together since 2007.
Frances Toler, MSFS, CAP® brings an abundance of business and life experience to her financial practice. She built a large clientele working with First Financial Group under the Guardian for 11 years, and, since 2012, has continued her success with Toler Financial Group under New York Life. She received her Master of Science in Financial Services in 2011 to help her continue to build an outstanding financial practice. Earlier in her life she gained first hand business experience in accounting and small business at the Women’s
Learn how Bullis students are succeeding every day.Visit www.bullis.org 10601 Falls Road Potomac, MD 20854 301-299-8500
Rainbow Families DC 2014 Conference | 49
about our presenters Community Bakery and later in health care and non-profit management with the Washington Free Clinic. Toler Financial Group is a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise, certified by the NGLCC (National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce).
Megan Wallace, J.D., LL.M. (Taxation), founder of Wallace Law, LLC, is an estate planning, probate and business attorney practicing in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Megan’s advanced training in tax issues and planning opportunities for individuals and families allows her to craft the appropriate protection plan for each person, which may include a will, trust, advance medical directive, power of attorney, domestic partnership agreement, pre-marital agreement and other necessary documents. Megan is a member of Estate Planning Council of Suburban Maryland, serves on the Mayor’s GLBT Advisory Committee (DC) and maintains an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. She often volunteers her expertise to speak to educate other legal and financial professionals about the best ways to represent and protect LGBT individuals and their families. Megan and her wife are the happy parents of delightful twin daughters.
Kisha L. Webster is a professional educator and serves as the Associate Director of Welcoming Schools, a program of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) that “offers tools, lessons and resources on embracing family diversity, avoiding gender
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role stereotyping and ending bullying and name-calling in elementary schools.” She completed her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education at Delaware State University before earning her graduate degree in Educational Administration from Trinity Washington University. Originally from Newark, New Jersey, Ms. Webster moved to the DC-MD-VA area and worked in both Assistant Principal and lead Principal roles for a number of years. She is committed to supporting educators in creating school climates that value all children and adults.
Beth Wheeler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in Silver Spring and Dupont Circle. She specializes in working with adults and couples around issues of sexuality, gender identity, trauma, adjustment and women’s issues. A particular skill and passion is working with groups and individuals to create a bridge across differences of race, class, sexual orientation, culture, religion and other visible and invisible differences. Beth is a white woman who lives in a transracial, religiously diverse family. Beth and her partner of 14 years have two domestically adopted African-American boys (5 years and 3 years).
Jessica Wodatch is the Executive Director and one of the founders of Two Rivers Public Charter School, a diverse, supportive, project-based learning community in Washington, DC. Two Rivers serves 515 students in preschool - eighth grade.
about our presenters Jessica grew up on Capitol Hill and attended DC Public Schools PK-12. She taught in NYC with Teach for America, worked as an education researcher, and served as a school leader at two schools for students with disabilities in the DC area. Jessica is a member of the Board of Trustees of Friends of Choice in Urban Schools. Jessica and Liz, her partner of 20 years, are the happy parents of three children ages 14, 11, and 7.
Michele Zavos is a partner in the Zavos Juncker Law Group, PLLC, which practices family law in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. She has been a pioneer for over 30 years in creating legal protections for LGBT headed families. She founded the first Maybe Baby group in the Washington metropolitan area in 1982. Her daughter is 29. Her Firm won the case Port v. Cowan in 2012, causing Maryland to recognize valid marriages between same-sex couples. She is an elected Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Attorneys.
Capitol Hill Day School
Amelie Zurn, MSW/ LCSW-C is a social worker/ psychotherapist with a private practice in Silver Spring, MD with a focus on gender, sexuality, trauma recovery and parenting concerns. Beginning her work as a street activist and hotline counselor during the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, she has been involved in the growth of fabulous LGBT community health and wellness resources for the past 26 years. She is a parent to 2 amazing kids ages 12 & 14 and she lives in a family with 2 other kids ages 2 & 28 and the family dog.
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Rainbow Families DC 2014 Conference | 51
kids’ camp
ages 11 and under Kids’ Camp at the 2014 conference is a full-day of engaging activities led by energetic volunteers and child care providers plus a group of outstanding activity providers from local programs. We are proud to expand this year’s Kids’ Camp to include children through elementary school (age 11) along with our normal COLAGE programming that goes through high school ages. We hope your children will have an incredibly fun day with us, make new friends, and leave with a feeling of renewed pride in their families. Depending on the age group, the wide array of activities will be sure to delight all kids alike: fun arts and crafts with Hillwood Gardens; drumming lessons; dance fever session so kids can boogie their energy off; wood working by Lowell School; sports activities including a golf and tennis clinic; Adventure Theater artistry; moon bounce zaniness; animation stations to test your child’s creativity; and a performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC’s of Von Trapped, their rendition of The Sound of Music.
kids’ camp sponsors steve & kate’s camp has been going strong for over 34 years! Instead of a rigid structure, campers are given choice. Instead of teaching kids the typical way, they are given tools and gentle guidance to help them become autodidacts, people who teach themselves. The difference is subtle–and it’s profound. Steve & Kate’s camp will provide an animation station for the older youth to create, explore, and fill themselves with wonder.
hillwood museum & gardens is one of America’s most notable estate museums. It is the legacy of Marjorie Merriweather post and features her collections of fine and decorative arts, including the most comprehensive collection of 18th and 19th century Russian imperial art outside Russia, as well as beautiful gardens. Hillwood staff will work with our children throughout the day on arts and crafts that will surely become part of their parents’ favorite art collection. adventure theatre mtc was created in 2012 with the merging of Adventure Theatre and Musical Theater. Located in Glen Echo Park (Glen Echo, MD) and The Wintergreen Plaza (Rockville, MD), ATMTC is a leading arts organization in the D.C. region, focused on youth and family theater performances and high quality musical theater training. ATMTC’s award- winning professional productions, training, student productions and ensembles, inspire young people’s imagination and creativity, and cultivate new generations of artists and audiences.
georgetown day school offers an educational program that fosters a love of learning while providing serious instruction in the academic disciplines, the arts, and physical education and athletics. The arts program is an essential part of the Georgetown Day School Lower/ Middle and High School curriculum, offering students an in-depth study of drama, music, and the visual arts. The GDS Dance Camp is just one of the many exciting summer programs for children and youth ages 5 to 18. Special thanks to
Vinita Ahuja Deyanira Bautista (Drumming) Allen Dudley (Mr. D’s Sports Etc.) Oriyomi Idowu (Drumming) Rhiannon Landesberg and lil omm Lowell School staff Leslie Milofsky (Art) Christopher Sperl Lauren Wheeler (Martial Arts) Thanks to Renee Perrier, Trang Duong & Jeff Hart for coordinating this year’s Kids’ Camp program
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COLAGE at rainbow families dc
COLAGE is thrilled to partner with RFDC to provide a day of exciting programming for youth ages 9 and up who have one or more LGBTQ parent. COLAGE is the only national youth-driven network that connects people with an LGBTQ parent to a community of peers. Living in a world that treats our families differently can be isolating or challenging. By connecting with others who share our experience, COLAGE helps us appreciate/ see that our difference is our strength. With this realization, we become leaders and advocates who make change that matters. Youth participating in COLAGE programming at the RFDC conference with have an opportunity to meet other COLAGErs (youth with LGBTQ parents) and work with a team of adult facilitators who also identify as COLAGEr! Youth will participate in a group for youth age 9-12 or for teens ages 13 and up. Participants will start the day with games and fun to meet other youth with LGBTQ parents, share their story and celebrate their community. Then, before heading to lunch, we’ll get a chance to talk about where we spend most of our days: school! The tough, the challenging and the fun stuff too. Youth will also learn more about opportunities for sharing our stories in ways that can help make change, such as digital storytelling and creative writing. After lunch it’s time for more games as youth select from several different options such as art, drama, and leadership training.
f
n rie
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m il omm yoga...202-248-6304...www.lilomm.co l t a
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Upcoming Rainbow Families DC Events! Rainbow Families DC has a number of upcoming events. Take a look at the scheduled events‌
GAY DAY at the ZOO, Saturday, May 3rd. Rainbow Families DC has partnered with the DC Center to bring you GAY DAY at the ZOO. Sign up on the RFDC Facebook Page (RainbowFamiliesDC).
RFDC Camping Weekend, YMCA Camp Tockwogh, MD, on Columbus Day Weekend (October 10-12). RFDC will again be putting together our camping weekend of fun and activities for LGBT families. Come enjoy a relaxing camping weekend with new and old friends.
RFDC Fall Picnic at Hillwood Estates, date to be determined. The beautiful Hillwood Estates of Marjorie Merriweather Post are open for their annual Gay Day, and RFDC plans a wonderful picnic with them. Make sure you are part of RFDC mailing list to get notices of these events! You can also check out the RFDC website for more details and updates about all of these and more RFDC events coming up! Website: www.rainbowfamiliesdc.org Email: info@rainbowfamiliesdc.org Follow Us on Twitter: @RainbowFamDC Like Us on Facebook: RainbowFamiliesDC
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We’re here for you so you can focus on what matters most At Wells Fargo Private Bank, we understand that your commitments to your family and community are some of your most important responsibilities. We offer a dedicated team of local professionals who take the time to understand your unique needs so you can focus your time and energy into what’s most important—when it’s most important. Contact us to learn more about our wealth management solutions and how we can help support your vision. To learn more about how your local Wells Fargo Private Bank office can help you, please contact: Peter Zouzoulas, Senior Private Banker NMLSR ID 798340 (202) 414-3464, peter.zouzoulas@wellsfargo.com
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Wells Fargo Private Bank provides financial services and products through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and its affiliates. Deposit and loan products offered through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Insurance products are available through Insurance subsidiaries of Wells Fargo & Company and underwritten by non-affiliated Insurance Companies. Not available in all states. © 2014 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801
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Step
into a new school that cultivates intellect, making the highest test score gains in DC in 2013.
We are
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Accepting applications for students age 3 through grade 6!
for your imagination in our inquiry-based curriculum that sparks a joy for learning.
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202-248-6825 1328 Florida Ave. NW Washington, DC 20009*
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GROW YOUR HOME 56
| Rainbow Families DC 2014 Conference
*Moving to NE for the 2014-15 school year!
See how far your home can take you when you remodel an existing room or add new space. Upgrading your kitchen or bath, envisioning a sunroom or adding a new addition can completely transform your home and the ways your family enjoys it every day.
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How Can You Contribute To Rainbow Families DC? As you know, RFDC is a nonprofit organization for all LGBT parents and prospective parents and our allies in the DC Metropolitan region. We bring parents and prospective parents together in several ways:
Conduct educational workshops and events -- like our biannual Parenting Conference and our Adoption and In-Vitro Fertilization support groups and Maybe Baby classes! Sponsor social gatherings -- such as the Winter Family Dance, the DC Capital Pride Parade, Cox Farms and Camping Weekend. Create space for families to connect with each other directly -- through our area specific play groups and all of our events. If you are not a member, please consider becoming a member. The modest annual fee of $35 allows RFDC to continue to provide these services to the LGBT community at low cost. Another way to contribute is to volunteer for our activities and events. Every event is volunteer-led, and we always need assistance. Contact us for more information about ways you can help. Website: www.rainbowfamiliesdc.org Email: info@rainbowfamiliesdc.org Follow Us on Twitter: @RainbowFamDC Like us on Facebook: RainbowFamiliesDC
Rainbow Families DC 2014 Conference | 57
2014 Bethesda Magazine Readers’ Pick Best K-8 Private School
Find out more! www.greenacres.org
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www.maret.org 635 students, K-12 co-ed day school on one campus 3000 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008
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For more information, contact the Maret Admission Office at admission@maret.org or 202.939.8814.
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come experience us!
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School
JK-12 v Coed v Episcopal v Morning and After-School Programs v Transportation v 3 Campuses in Alexandria, Virginia www.SSSAS.org | Grades JK-5: (703) 212-2705 | Grades 6-12: (703) 212-2706
Rainbow Families DC 2014 Conference | 59
OUR CAMP CONFORMS TO KIDS. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. INSTEAD OF A RIGID STRUCTURE, WE GIVE OUR CAMPERS CHOICE. FROM ANIMATION AND BREADMAKING TO WATER SLIDES AND STADIUM SPORTS, WE’VE GOT SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
OPENING SUMMER 2014 AT GEORGETOWN DAY SCHOOL
CHECK US OUT AT WWW.STEVEANDKATE.COM
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thank you! Thanks to all of the workshop presenters and panelists! We learn so much and come away more enlightened. We are grateful to our sponsors because this conference would not have been possible without their financial contributions and their steadfast support of our community.
A debt of gratitude to the following amazing volunteers: 3 Bob Witteck, for sharing your sharing your talents and helping us spread our marketing net far and wide. You really helped us to get the word out. 3 Brian Watkins for sharing your expertise, your files, and your experiences as previous co-chair. It was so helpful to have you on our side. 3 Burgundy Crescent Volunteers, thank you for your steadfast support and volunteer hands. 3 Craig Cipollini of the Gay Men’s Chorus, for helping us spread the word and for being so supportive of RFDC. 3 David Leary, for the above and beyond efforts to organize our sponsorship efforts and for reaching out to sponsors. You’re truly elevating RFDC to a different level. 3 Debbi Rich, for your budgetary expertise, your willingness to roll up your sleeves and get the job done, and your many contributions to the success of our sponsorships and advertising. 3 Ellen Kahn, for recruiting a wonderful array of presenters and putting together a dynamic schedule of workshops. You did it again! 3 Jeff Hart-Southworth, for jumping right in and making things happen. This conference planning would not have been so smooth but for you. 3 Jen Riesch, for your thoughtfulness and asking great questions to keep us on track. RFDC is extremely lucky to have you as a supporter and a staff member. 3 Mike Heffner, Jeff Travers, and 202design, for the marketing advice, for the development of our sponsorship and advertising brochures, and for donating your valuable time to the design of our conference program book. 3 Renee Perrier, for organizing an amazing Kids’ Camp. You just jumped right in and made it happen! 3 Rocky Galloway, for handling logistics with clarity and a sense of purpose that was enviable. 3 Vinita Ahuja and Kate Whitson, for making us feel welcome and allowing us to best utilize the GDS space. We are so grateful for all your helpful, thoughtful tips and for always being willing to answer our multitude of questions. 3 Zavos Juncker Law Group, for feeding us pizza and providing a meeting space for the RFDC board meetings. It’s good to know that we have a space to connect and plan more spectacular events and conferences. 3 Thanks to Destination DC for the gift basket. 3 A special thanks to Trang Duong, who led the organizational efforts to put this conference together. Without Trang’s time, dedication and passion, this conference would not be happening. And… To our spouses/partners and children, thank you for being flexible and for allowing us to put in extra hours.
• Estate Planning & Probate, including wills, trusts, guardianships, and financial & health care powers of attorney • Business Law, including entity selection and operational issues • Domestic Partnership Agreements, Premarital Agreements and Property Agreements.
• Member of the Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce • Appointed by the Mayor to the GLBT Advisory Committee • AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell • Serving clients in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia
11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 405, Rockville, MD 20852 Phone: 301-468-0603 | Email: MWallace@WallaceLawLLC.com www.WallaceLawLLC.com