One week ago, we launched Rainbows At Play – an online community where families raising gender creative kids and/or allies can connect to playdate and find fierceness in numbers. The response has been overwhelming, exhausting and exhilarating.
In the first seven days, the community welcomed more than 150 families from across the US. We have connected families and playdates are being set up in 22 states!
- California
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
We’ve had about a dozen families join from Canada and have playdates in the works in Ontario and Quebec.
And, most surprising…we’ve gone international! Families are arranging playdates in:
- Australia
- Ecuador
- France
- Scotland
- Spain
The response has been so great, that we’ve brought on two moderators to help us manage the community. Three cheers and a toast to our bestie Sarah Manley from NerdyApple.com and THE Cory Byrom.
Community members who have yet to find other families in their area are gabbing it up in the “Community Chat” area. There, we currently have seven different conversations going about everything from school, parenting and where to get fabulous clothes for young gender benders.
We remain giddy and emotional about Rainbows At Play and the good things that are happening in the community. Help us spread the word and the sparkle. The more gender creative and ally families that join, the better.
Let’s Get Playing!
Lori and Kelly
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Also this week, I attended the Stonewall National Education Project’s 2nd Annual Conference, where I had the chance to meet with educators, administrators and other youth-serving professionals to talk about what it’s like to raise differently gendered child. I’m already looking forward to next year’s conference!
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If you live in Orange County, join Youth Empowered to Act (YETA) and Garden Grove High School’s Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) at their upcoming LGBTQ Student Rights Community Forum, where attendees will learn about the protections and rights of LGBTQ and allied students.
Parents, students and community members are encouraged to attend this free event and no RSVP is required.
Thursday, March 13//6 – 8p.m.//Garden Grove High School
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Raising My Rainbow 
Reblogged this on Anishinaabek Windwriter.
Curious, do you encounter many people who have gender non-conforming girls? Or is that less talked about because society sort of accepts them (with a tom-boy label). Is you group open to parents of these girls?
go you guys and change the world
Wow!!!!!!
So awesome, thank you thank you thank you!!! We needed somewhere like this to connect. Perfect. Now none of us are alone anymore.
What an amazing idea! I love it!
Perfecto!
Hi there, I set up an account minutes into reading your last post about this playgroup….and just logged back in now and see that I have yet not been approved 😦 What do I need to do??
This gives me chills. The wonderful impact you and CJ and your entire family have had on so many people is now expanding exponentially. Bravo to all of you!!
Amazing and wonderful!!
This is so fantastic Lori! It would be great to put out information on PFLAG for these parents and families as well for additional support, information, and advocacy activities! 🙂
Reblogged this on samallen230 and commented:
Le yay!
So happy to see this going on. Although my child is grown, I do have wonderful grandchildren. I see through their eyes their acceptance of differences in their friends, some of which are LGBT. My grandchildren are 15 and 19. I know some of it is how I was raised and how I raised my daughter, but the rest is how their friends are treated and accepted in their schools. I think it is the current generation that might just make this all happen. I am very thankful for people like you that are helping facilitate this acceptance.
I am so happy for cj and your family that your idea has flown across the world!
Not a parent, but I am always interested in learning and this has been a educational experience learning about CJ and family, I enjoy this blog very much 🙂 🙂
Great things are happening!
Actually, you are making it happen. This is wonderful news. I am sending you my very best wishes and the bestest of vibes. You don’t need it but positive vibes can never hurt. So pleased for all the families and kids about being able to get together.
Really great news. Well done!
Congratulations!
oops, pushed the button too quickly there…I’m so very glad to see this project is so well received and has taken off with so much success. Kudos and hugs!
What an incredible resource you have created for countless families!