Day 14. Building a Chosen Family.

Let’s highlight the powerful concept of chosen family. For many, the journey to building a chosen family is about creating a circle of care, trust, and love that transcends biological connections.

Why Chosen Families Matter

Chosen families provide crucial support for people whose biological families may not fully embrace or understand their identities or life choices. They are especially important for:

LGBTQ+ individuals who face rejection or alienation
People who live far from their biological families
Those who seek deeper connections aligned with their values and beliefs

How Communities Can Support Chosen Families

It’s important to celebrate the diversity of family structures and offer spaces where chosen families can flourish. We can provide:

Welcoming Communities: Safe spaces where individuals can form connections and find acceptance
Rituals for Chosen Families: From commitment ceremonies to blessings for chosen families, we honor all forms of family
Intergenerational Connections: Opportunities for people to bond with others outside their peer groups, enriching the idea of family

Books to Learn More

“Families We Choose: Lesbians, Gays, Kinship,” by Kath Weston
“All About Love: New Visions,” by Bell Hooks – A meditation on the transformative power of love
“Chosen Family Handbook: How to Build the Relationships You Deserve,” by Dr Mia Birdsong

An Invitation to Reflect

Have you experienced the love of a chosen family? How has it shaped your journey toward wholeness?

Today, we celebrate the resilience and beauty of chosen families. They remind us that family is not just about where we come from but about where we are going together.

Learn more: Family Equality provides advocacy and resources for LGBTQ+ families to ensure equity for all families.

Wholeness is not a fixed state; it is an evolving practice of acceptance, compassion, and justice. Together, let us explore what it means to bring wholeness into our own lives, our congregations, and the broader world.

#UU #UUA #CelebrateDiversity #LGBTQ+Family #ChosenFamily

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