Kim Simes Midwest Regional Manager

The New Modern Family: Parent(s) who Identify as

LGBTQ and Their Children

14th Conference on LGBT Tourism & Hospitality Fort Lauderdale December 11-13

About Family Equality Council

Family Equality Council connects, supports, & represents the three million parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer (LGBTQ) in this country & their six million children. We are changing attitudes & policies to ensure that all families are respected, loved, & celebrated – including families with parents who are LGBTQ. We are a community of parents & children, grandparents & grandchildren that reaches across this country. For over 30 years we have raised our children & raised our voices toward fairness for all families.

Most brand engagement

is still behind the

times.

The modern family looks

very differently than it did 30 years

ago.

The New Modern Family

FRO

M…

…TO

We’ve Seen A Seismic Shift

Demographics – Pop Culture – Society & Technology

The Times Are Changing

¨  3 Million parents who are LGBTQ & their 6 Million children live in the U.S. today.

¤  500,000+ LGBTQ couples are raising children who are adopted

¨  Only 4% of today’s families fall into the Census definition of “traditional”

¨  There is at least one LGBTQ couple in ¤  93% of counties ¤  92% of Census tracts

*US Census data, 2010

What’s New?

On Feb 27, 2013, respected demographer Gary Gates of the Williams Institute released a new research brief * that analyzes data sources to provide a clearer demographic portrait of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) parenting in the United States.

Data sources include: ¨  The 2008/2010 General Social Survey, ¨  The Gallup Daily Tracking Survey, ¨  Census 2010, ¨  Census Bureau’s 2011 American Community Survey (ACS)

¨  * Research Brief

What the Data Reveals

¨  An estimated 37% of LGBTQ-identified adults have had a child at some time in their lives.

¨  An estimated 3 million LGBTQ Americans have had a

child and as many as 6 million American children and adults have an LGBTQ parent.

¨  Among those under age 50 who are living alone or with

a spouse or partner, nearly half of LGBTQ women (48%) are raising a child under age 18 along with a fifth of LGBTQ men (20%).

What is True about Our Families

¨  Same-sex couple parents and their children are more likely to be racial and ethnic minorities,

¨  Same-sex couples raising children are four times more likely than their

different-sex counterparts to be raising a child who is adopted. ¨  LGBTQ individuals and same-sex couples raising children face greater

economic challenges than their non-LGBTQ counterparts, reporting household incomes near the poverty threshold.

¨  Childrearing among same-sex couples is most common in Southern,

Mountain West, and Midwest regions of the country. States with the highest proportions of same-sex couples raising biological, adopted or step children include Mississippi (26%), Wyoming (25%), Alaska (23%), Idaho (22%), and Montana (22%).

Let’s Compare

¨  LGBTQ Friendly ¨  LGBTQ Family Friendly

“If a business respects and embraces my family, I’ll be loyal to their brand forever.” @uppoppedafox

¨  On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your hotel, cruise line, airline, etc. on inclusivity for

families with parents who are LGBTQ?

So Where do LGBTQ Families Travel?

¨  Family Equality Council Events n Family Week, Families in the Midwest, Gay Days

Anaheim, Family Camp, etc.

¨  R Family Vacations n Club Getaway, 10th Anniversary Cruise, etc.

¨  Everywhere else “straight” families travel

How Do LGBTQ Families Decide Where to Go?

¨  Word of mouth ¨  Social media ¨  Inclusive marketing

n  Ads, Website, Commercials

¨  Companies stance on LGBTQ/equality issues

¨  Sponsorships of LGBTQ/equality issues

What’s Important to Know about LGBTQ Family Travel?

¨  We often bring the “whole family”

n  Grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings & of course, the family dog

¨  Concierge services need to expand their reach for families

n  LGBT friendly pediatricians, urgent cares, children’s museums, play zones, etc.

¨  Safety is critical

What Can You Do to Ensure We Know You are Welcoming?

¨  All Families Matter/Safe Zone Programs

¨  Display that logo in prominent places

¨  Display photos that could be viewed as family with two moms/dads or a parent who is transgender

¨  Family restrooms in public areas

Welcoming – cont’d.

¨  If you promote outside family events, make sure they are inclusive for all families

¨  If you have forms, make sure they are inclusive and fit all families

¨  If you provide kids’ play area, lending library, etc. – make sure toys & books are inclusive

“They like us here!”

Has your rating changed?

¨  On a scale of 1-10, now how would you rate your inclusiveness for families with parents who

are LGBTQ?