Day 29. Love Makes a Family-Celebrating LGBTQ+ Love and Kinship.

What makes a family? Is it shared DNA, a legal document, or something more profound? We affirm that love—boundless, resilient, and transformative—is what truly makes a family. Today, we celebrate the beauty and diversity of LGBTQ+ families, honoring their love and the many forms it takes.

Celebrating LGBTQ+ Families
Families in LGBTQ+ communities have long redefined traditional notions of kinship. From chosen families that offer sanctuary and support to parents raising children in affirming, inclusive homes, LGBTQ+ love transcends conventional boundaries. These families embody courage and creativity, weaving love into the fabric of their lives despite societal challenges.

Congregations can become a vital part of the journey LGBTQ+  families are on. Through youth programs, community rituals, and unconditional acceptance, families can find not just a faith community, but an extended family that embraces them wholeheartedly. This reminds us that when we widen the circle of inclusion, everyone thrives.

Resources to Learn More

• Books and Articles:
  • “Love Makes a Family: Portraits of LGBT People and Their Families,” by Gigi Kaeser
  • “Affirming LGBTQ+ Families” – A resource guide from the Family Equality Council
• Podcasts and Videos:
  • “Outspoken Families” – Stories and conversations from LGBTQ+ parents and children

A Closing Thought
We strive to embody a faith that reflects radical love and inclusion. LGBTQ+ families show us the boundless possibilities of love, reminding us that family is not defined by tradition but by the care, commitment, and connection we nurture with one another.

As we celebrate these families today, may we be inspired to create communities where every family, however it is formed, is seen, valued, and cherished. After all, love makes a family—and love has no bounds.

An Invitation to Reflect
Consider your congregation or faith community and its inclusion practices. How can your faith community celebrate and support LGBTQ+ families more fully? What steps can you take to challenge societal norms that exclude or marginalize these families? Reflect on the LGBTQ+ families in your life—how have they expanded your understanding of love and kinship? Together, we can build on our understanding of love through support and inclusion for all.

Learn more: The Trevor Project provides support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth and their 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.

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#UU #UUA #CelebrateDiversity #LGBTQ+Families