We get together in West Hollywood with other lgbt families where kids can play with one another, montly brunch parties, playgrounds, pool events, and birthday parties.
In March, 2020 when covid was rising, a couple families got together since we didn't want to stay home and went to playgrounds for our kids to interact. Unfortunately, playgrounds closed a week later due to covid restrictions. While parks remained open, we had no choice but have picnics in parks. Then, parks closed. We still continued our picnics, however park security weren't happy with us. When we told them kids don't get covid, they got frustrated and walked away, came back and said there's 2 wagons on their way to arrest us all. We don't like conflict so we said sorry and left. A cop showed up, but he didn't do much except give us masks since he said its the law to wear masks on the sidewalk and public property.
We then moved our weekly Saturday picnics to my condo courtyard/pool, however after a few weeks in, the HOA started giving me warnings about the number of kids in the pool/jacuzzi. We kept having them weekly and their warnings continued. With covid at its worst, the HOA made a decision to remove all the pool furniture. So, we then moved our weekly Saturday gay family group to a friends backyard in Hollywood Hills, also with a nice pool/jacuzzi. Cops showed up at his first event saying a neighbor called about a covid spreading party going on, only to see about 10 kids playing together. The same cops were showing up nearly every weekend. After the 5th week of them showing up, a new set up cops came and spoke to the owner that his electricty will be shuttered if they report it. A few days later, the owner of the house went off on his neighbor since he knew it was her that kept calling the cops. She called the cops to file a report on him, but they didn't do anything because there was no violence. Appearantly, his neigbor put her house for sale a week later.
Nearly a year went by and I reflected. I felt like giving up on organizing weekly events. Cops constantly on our tail, neighbors who don't respect small gatherings, never-ending encounters, and my HOA threatening to write fines for violating pool rules in which I never violated any. It consumed all my energy.
I slept on it, and decided to give it one more try. On a last resort, I went into the Abbey and had a meeting with the manager about having weekly Saturday gatherings for gay parents and our families. A few days later, I got a call that we were welcomed with open arms, but under one restriction: 6 person limit per table per state law. It sucked, but we had to respect the law.
Restrictions started easing in April, 2021 and the 6-person table limit was rescinded. Our gay parents group started growing. We went from weekly events to now monthly events, and now have over 50 active LGBT families where we have nearly 20 families at each event to date.
Aside from our montly gay parent brunch parties at the Abbey, we have annual holiday parties and bigger events. Many families made friends with other families and get together outside group events.
There are 2 that I know of. Pop luck club has been around for many years and they now meet over zoom. Theres also a gay dad group of dads who were in traditional marraiges and then came out or got outed by their now ex-wives after having kids. If you were in that situation, you can contact me for the guy who runs it. He also sends non-traditional families (surrogacy, adoption etc) my way as well.
We didn't really have a name when we started. It was the same 5-6 families getting together during the start of covid with many families joining over time. I started to think of a name. But I just called it Gay parents. We are also inclusive to the LGBT community and allies.
Nothing right now.
Of course! We've had some attend who are thinking of having kids and wanted to network. We love to have you!
You can conctact me here with a contact number and email and I will reach out monthly, prior to next family parties.