The Pop Luck Club Launches Ad Campaign Promoting Gay Fatherhood

by Brandon Miller · 2011-01-07 14:36:00 UTC
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Neil Patrick Harris and Elton John aren't the only gay fathers in the world, though you would hardly know it by the lack of media coverage that families run by gay men receive. Not surprisingly, a lot of these gay fathers live in the LGBT mecca that is Southern California. And now a non-profit supporting these men has unleashed a campaign to raise awareness about just what it means to be a gay dad.

The Pop Luck Club, which was founded in 1998, announced the launch of the "Raise A Child" campaign on Tuesday, January 4. One of the main goals of the campaign is to increase awareness and understanding in the community for gay fathers and their families. It also attempts to inspire gay fathers and those who aspire to be gay fathers, while promoting the variety of ways that one can start a family in 2011. Surrogacy, fostering and adoption are all highlighted as part of the campaign.

Another main endeavor of the ads is to reduce the stigma that still surrounds gay parenting. The group hopes to achieve this goal through radio public service announcements and bus shelter ads that feature family portraits. For the month of January, the campaign will have ads up across the Los Angeles region.

"We make lunches for our kids, get them to music and karate lessons... just like every family," says Pop Luck Club Co-President Richard Valenza. "With this campaign, we are putting a real face on gay parenting."

The Pop Luck Club has many faces to choose from. Over the last 12 years, the group has grown from a handful of members to more than 500 South Californian gay dads. They have pot-luck play dates. They hold support groups and host discussion forums. They hold family events and mentorship programs for new fathers. They promote the love that can exist in a gay-male run household, essentially, and the idea that families can be formed in all different kind of ways.

"Growing up, many of us felt sadness that coming out as gay would end our dreams of parenting," says John Ireland, a Pop Luck Club board member. "I now know that becoming a father and providing a loving home for our child is the most important and rewarding thing I have ever done."

Photo Credit: The Pop Luck Club

Brandon Miller is a freelance writer and editor from Toronto, Ontario.
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