Many LGBT people are estranged from their blood relatives, have no spouse, and rely on members of alternative families without the legal protections of blood relatives. Our laws that govern the rights and responsibilities of kinship are biased against alternative family relationships.

The LGBT Advisory Committee of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission invites the 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 Coalition

Comments by:
- Tom Ammiano, California State Assemblymember, 13th District
- David Campos, Member of San Francisco Board of Supervisors
- Theresa Sparks, Executive Director of the SF Human Rights Commission
- YOU, members of the public with experience in non-spousal alternative families

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 alternative families.

Snacks and engaging discussion will be provided at this free event. Special thanks to the SF LGBT Center, Center Women Present. For more information contact Nadia Babella, SF Human Rights Commission, (415) 252-3212, nadia.babella@sfgov.org.

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