From The Editor: It Takes a Village

Family includes a lot more than parents, siblings, partners and children. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, to start with the obvious. Step-family and in-laws. Close friends, caregivers and mentors, too.

That is just the beginning of who family can be. Three of the stories in this year’s LGBTQ+ Families issue feature support groups or community education resources for LGBTQ+ parents. Relationships like these, which might only exist for an hour or two a week, may seem insignificant compared to those with spouses or siblings. But are they really?

People you can share anything with, whose advice has helped you improve the most important parts of your life. People who are reliable and there for you when you need it most. People whose shoulders you’ve cried on and whose arms have wrapped you up in an embrace. Sounds a lot like family to me.

While writing this column, I’ve been reflecting not only on family in general but also my family in particular, as well as hitting my first anniversary at Lavender. Last year’s LGBTQ+ Families issue was my first with Lavender. This year’s issue is a little bit earlier in the calendar, meaning I won’t have hit a full year quite yet by the time this hits shelves, but, in the spirit of familial understanding, I hope we can agree to call it close enough.

Throughout the past year, my family has been there to support me when I’ve struggled, make sure I celebrate my successes and keep a smile on my face on boring Wednesday afternoons in the middle of long weeks. Their presence and love make everything in my life better, including my work. I’m incredibly grateful to not only have such incredible people in my life but also to have them be the people closest to me. Thank you!

Whether it’s parenting, work or just getting through the day, and whether it’s from people you see every day or once a month, there’s nothing like the love and support of family. I’d like to encourage you all to reach out to give your family — anyone and everyone you think could possibly be included — a thank you. If they’re someone you might not have thought to consider family before, it could mean the world.