“Youth with queer parents are the new face of the queer movement.”—Sara Berger, Rainbow Rumpus writer and daughter of a lesbian mother
“Kevin [a board member] says it’s so much fun that I wanted to get involved.”—Katie Stollenwerk, a college student and new volunteer
Our issue this month focuses on places youth with LGBT parents can connect with each other in the real world. Connections between youth with LGBT parents are vital, and if you are a LGBT parent, we encourage you to find an event that fits your family’s style.
Building an online and real world community that brings the voices of youth from LGBT-headed families into homes, schools, and places of worship is what Rainbow Rumpus does. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about community. Last year I was on an LGBT parent panel in New York City with Jesse Green, author of The Velveteen Father, who said that the word “queer” still made him feel like someone was coming up behind him with a baseball bat. I’ve often felt the same, but as I spend time with younger people, I find myself using it more and more.
I’ve heard several comments from heterosexual adults who grew up with one or more LGBT parents that they identify strongly with the LGBT community, but don’t feel recognized, welcomed, and able to participate within it. As Rainbow Rumpus grows, it’s interesting to me to see who feels drawn to participate. We are a wide range of folks: teens to elders; male, female, and transgender; folks with and without queer parents; and people who identify as heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual.
Rainbow Rumpus is a new version of “queer community.” One that values the voices of youth from LGBT-headed homes and makes a place for folks of all sexual orientations to participate. And, as Kevin and Katie said, we have a lot of fun.
Everyone on our staff worked to put together this issue, and each person makes Rainbow Rumpus a fun place to volunteer. I would particularly like to note the contributions of our resources editor, Therese Sonnek. I met Therese a year ago, when she and her partner, Diana, met me at a local restaurant, the Clicquot Club Café. Therese is a librarian by profession and has done a masterful job of creating a resources section for us in the past year. She is also passionate about politics and was recently elected to her local park board. This will be a great boon for the people (and dogs!) of Maplewood, Minnesota, but is a loss for Rainbow Rumpus, as she will not be able to continue her editorial work. Therese, we know your community will be enriched by your skills, and we look forward to your continued involvement in Rainbow Rumpus events and occasional research projects.
I also want to recognize Diana Sonnek, Therese’s partner. Diana helps our dragons wish over 20 youth each month a happy birthday, and she scans all of the artwork youth send us. She is also the creator of each month’s crossword puzzles. This month is her one-year anniversary of volunteering for Rainbow Rumpus. Thank you, Diana, for being the heart of the fun we create!
This month marks a two-year anniversary for two volunteers named “Beth W.” Almost since our inception, Beth Wallace has shared her skills in administration, acquisitions, developmental editing, fundraising, and marketing. Beth Wright has served Rainbow Rumpus as a consultant, copy editor, fundraiser, editor, and proofreader. Many thanks to both of you.
Our Contact Us section lists volunteer opportunities if you’d like to get involved. I hope to see many of you at one the camps or conferences listed in this issue.
