COLAGE Mission



COLAGE engages, connects, and empowers people to make the world a better place for children of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender parents and families.



COLAGE Vision



We envision a world in which all families are valued, protected, reflected, and embraced by society and all of its institutions; in which all children grow up loved and nurtured by kinship networks and communities that teach them about, connect them to, and honor their unique heritage; and in which every human being has the freedom to express sexual orientation, gender identity, and self.



We envision being part of large movements to heal and transform all forms of oppression, discrimination, bigotry and hatred in the hearts and minds of the members of our societies, as well as in school systems, mental and physical health systems, media, legislatures, legal systems, and all religious institutions.



We envision a world in which those of us with lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender parents or families are connected to a broad community of peers and mentors, are recognized as the authority of our experiences, belong to respected and valued family structures, and have the tools and support to create a just society.



Our Core Values



Throughout our organization and in all of our work with individuals, families, communities, and the world, COLAGE seeks to embody these values.



We value the basic principle that love makes a family.

We value a pluralistic definition of family and parent(s) encompassing a variety of kinship structures including:



immediate families, extended families, partners, straight spouses, and family structures which are marginalized in our society including single parent families, multiracial families, international families, and families with disabilities.





We value the family as a powerful agent of social and cultural change.

We value the experiences of our youth and families, acknowledging and honoring the struggle that many families face from externally imposed barriers, limitations, obstacles, and oppressions.

We value the idea that as COLAGErs, we are the authorities of our own experience.

We value our ability to express all parts of our lives and families freely and in all places.

We value our allies, who include a broad array of progressive organizations and individuals, all of whom support the rights of all youth, and every family, to thrive and grow.

We value coalition building with our allies, who recognize the value of organizing across differences and who are committed to creating the world we envision through positive action.

We value youth-driven, consensus-oriented governance within our organization.

We value seeking creative, fun ways to meet our ends.