About us

The Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project is dedicated to helping lesbian, gay,bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) people in upstate NY achieve their goals of buiding and sustaining healthy families. We do this by providing support, advocacy, information, and access to community and sensitive health care and services.

Our Vision

The Project envisions itself as a leader in bringing about a State of New York in which LGBTQ families are valued and feel safe enough to be visible in our communities. We are physically and emotionally healthy and legally secure. We live without fear, stigma or isolation.

Our Current Programs and Services

Pride and Joy Families

A network of LGBTQ-led families that offers support, education and a sense of community to adults and children.

Educational Programs...

for LGBTQ Parents and Aspiring Parents. Information and supportive discussions on family building options and issues related to parenting as an LGBTQ person.

LGBT Healthy Families Initiative

Resources and information specific to LGBTQ families to help create better health outcomes for the adults and children in these families. Offers a website and toolkits for use in collecting and recording family health histories. www.LGBTHealthInitiative.org

Provider Training

Educational programs and information on LGBTQ families and parenting to improve the cultural competency of educators and health and human service professionals.

Information and Resources for Your Family

Individual assistance and referral services, websites, regional parent discussion listservs, quarterly newsletters, and email news to help LGBTQ adults find one another and the resources they need.

Directory of Services for LGBT People

Online searchable database of more than 500 welcoming community resources and health and human service providers. View and join at www.LGBTServicesDirectory.com.

Advocacy

Working to educate and empower LGBTQ parents to be advocates for their families; speaking out for LGBTQ families in schools, the media, the community and the halls of government.

Our History

The Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project was started in 2000 with a grant from New York State to the Ferre Institute, Inc. Ferre is a 501(c)3 organization that provides infertility education, family building resources and genetic counseling services.

Our Staff

Claudia E. Stallman
Project Director

Karen Armstrong
Health Educator

Heather Hauer
Outreach Educator, Central NY/Southern Tier

Our Advisory Board

Brian Frank, Albany
Peg Johnston, Binghamton
Jackie Kelly, Syracuse
Ari Istar Lev, Albany
Sean Massey, Binghamton
Mark Pedersen, Ithaca
Todd Plank, Rochester
David Ruston, Binghamton
Vince Sgambati, Syracuse
Marian Stern, Binghamton

Thank you to our Conference Supporters!