Beyond Marriage: Recognizing Alternative Family Relationships

The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Advisory Committee of the S.F. Human Rights Commission invites the press and public to participate in a forum to discuss how to recognize alternative kinship structures among people who are not related by blood or legal adoption. Emancipated youth, seniors, those estranged from their legally recognized families, and others will discuss how their alternative families have been created from bonds of friendship, mentoring, and caregiving.

Panelists:
Cathy Sakimura, Staff Attorney for the National Center for Lesbian Rights
Alice Kessler, Government Affairs Director for Equality California
Judy Appel, Executive Director of Our Family Coaltion.

For Discussion:
What kinds of non-spousal alternative families exist?
What obstacles or legal hurdles exist for these relationships?
What can be done to support alternative families through legal and other means?

Please join us for a one-of-a-kind discussion on the future of alternaitve families at this free event. Special thanks to the S.F. LGBT Center, Center Women Present.