With 63% of North American LGBTQ+ millennials considering becoming parents for the first time or having more children (Family Equality 2019 LGBTQ Family Building Survey), the preconceived notion of what a family looks like in America is continuing to evolve as the country moves forward—slowly but surely. Unfortunately, the LGBTQ+ path to parenthood is still full of undue complications and discrimination; for example, 11 states have laws allowing adoption and foster care agencies to turn away qualified LGBTQ+ parents.
Following the recent six-year anniversary of the Obergefell v. Hodges U.S. Supreme Court decision resulting in the right to marry nationwide, Family Equality members are calling on Americans to join them on their next mission of equality: helping the LGBTQ+ community navigate the journey to parenthood. The nonprofit is asking Americans to support legislation such as The Equality Act and the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act—two critical pieces of LGBTQ+ legislation that would remove barriers to the LGBTQ+ community’s path to parenthood.
Developed alongside ad agency TBWAChiatDay New York and production company Furlined, Family Equality has created Love, Lawyers & The Government, an endearing short film intended to serve as a catalyst for this continued movement. Directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon of Furlined, the film uses a memorable and engaging approach to explain the obstacles LGBTQ+ people and couples go through to build a family. The catalyst for the explanation comes as a child asks his same-sex parents where babies come from.
The film was released ahead of Parents’ Day this past Sunday (7/25).
