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At MSPCC, we know families come in many different forms, and we are proud to support them all. To that end, Pride Month (observed each year in June) provides us with an annual opportunity to renew our commitment to ensuring LGBTQ+ children and families have the support they need to thrive. This year, we were especially proud to participate for the first time in the Boston Pride for the People festival.
LGBTQ+ children and families have long had complicated experiences with the child welfare system, and while society and many communities have evolved in recent decades, we know there is still much work to do. However, in the spirit of celebration and reflection, as Pride Month draws to a close, we pay tribute to some of the pioneers who advocated and worked on behalf of LGBTQ+ children and families throughout recent history:
- Reverend David B. Sindt, a minister and social worker who was renowned for his expertise in foster home licensing and used his platform to advocate on behalf of gay parents and children.
- Dr. Caitlin Ryan, a clinical social worker and Director of the Family Acceptance Project, whose research has been credited with helping diverse families accept their LGBTQ+ children and demonstrating the harm conversion therapy can have on young people.
- Dr. Gerald “Gary” Mallon, an internationally recognized writer, professor, social worker, and researcher. A pioneer in advocating for LGBTQ+ families, Dr. Mallon was the first child welfare professional in the U.S. to research, write about, and develop programs for LGBTQ+ youth in child welfare settings.
While Pride officially only lasts a month, our commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ children and families lasts year-round. As we head into the second half of the year, may we continue to remember the example of all those who paved the way for us to do the work we do today.
