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We noticed that Utah, like other parts of the world, has a wide variety of family structures and configurations. Within each family, no matter the structure, there are often diverse perspectives and points of view on topics from religion and faith, orientation and gender expression, race and ethnicity, politics, feminism, and lots more! We decided to highlight diverse perspectives and types of families, showcase how families can work together to find common ground, and support each other in love. Often that means learning how to communicate, it may mean learning more about someone else's perspectives and world view. ( Read more about our guiding principles below )

The workshops and presentations we are offering are by no means exhaustive, but rather reflect some of the more pressing issues and concerns of Utah in 2015. We invite you to join us, to bring your thoughts and ideas, and your family and friends. We promise you will learn, and that you will encounter people that you may or may not share a lot in common, but that you will enjoy meeting nonetheless. We intend that you will leave with a new appreciation for the rich variety of families and family members in Utah, and we hope that you will feel energized to teach others how to strengthen their own families and relationships.

We intend that this is a safe space, where differing ideas and perspectives are valued, and all people are respected. When we say that all are welcome, we mean that. We invite individuals, organizations and businesses, church and faith communities, anyone with an interest in recognizing that families, valued, in all of their configurations, are important, please join us.

Thank you!

Steering Committee: Marian Edmonds Allen, Family Acceptance Project Austin Miller Anderson, Werks in Progress Michael Ferguson and Seth Anderson, DigniTEA Foundation Ryan Hoglund, Rowland Hall Mark Lawrence, Restore Our Humanity Jania Sommers, University of Utah College of Social Work, Jewish Family Services Mary Stanley, The Healing Group Kendall Wilcox, Mormons for Marriage Jeanne Wines Reed, JWR Enterprises

Email us: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 801-452-3674 for more information.

Inclusive Families Conference Messages

The Inclusive Families Conference aims to highlight and celebrate the rich diversity of families, especially those families who love and accept each other despite divergent beliefs and attitudes, “non-traditional families” and those families which may be marginalized or excluded by others. These families include same-sex couples, those with members who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, identify as transgender (LGBT), or have exceptional gender identity/expression, families with mixed ethnic, racial and religious identities, street families (homeless youth families), families led by elders, adoptive, differently-abled, matriarchal, multi-generational families, and others.

While we acknowledge that some people may hold beliefs that exclude and marginalize others, including some of the families we celebrate, the Inclusive Families Conference intentionally reaches out to, accepts, and recognizes the humanity of those persons, and will not participate in vilifying, denigrating or otherwise engaging in a hurtful manner towards any person or group. All persons are welcome at Inclusive Families Conference events, and safe space for respectful dialogue and efforts toward mutual understanding will always be fostered and protected.

The guiding principal of “No Empty Chairs” symbolizes our desire for all persons to be welcome at the table, for all families to seek out and engage with their immediate and extended members, and one day, for societies to live in peace and harmony, recognizing and celebrating diversity as a gift that strengthens and enriches us all.

Family is the Fundamental Unit of Society

We believe the family is the basic human community through which we all are nurtured and sustained in mutual love, responsibility, respect, and fidelity. We affirm the importance of loving parents for all children. We understand the family as encompassing a wider range of options than that of the two generational gender binary unit (the nuclear family). We affirm the sanctity of the marriage covenant that is expressed in love, mutual support, personal commitment, and shared fidelity. We support laws in civil society that define marriage as the union of consenting adults. We encourage social, economic, political, and religious efforts to maintain and strengthen relationships within families so that all may be nurtured toward complete personhood.

Family Diversity and Inclusivity are Important

We all want children to grow up in a world free from bias and discrimination. Families can be the first venue for helping children accept, understand, and value their rich and varied world. Building positive identities and a respect for differences means weaving diversity into the fabric of everyday family life. We can raise children to celebrate and value diversity and to be proud of themselves and their family traditions. We can teach children to respect and value people regardless of the color of their skin, their physical abilities, the language they speak, or the structure of their family.

All Families Need Support

We recognize that life is challenging, marriage and parenting are a difficult responsibilities, therefore all families need supportive resources that help them successfully flourish in healthy, nurturing environments. This includes fostering a supportive atmosphere in all aspects of society and family life, most especially in areas of politics, religion, and community development.

Standards of Ethical Communication & Behavior

In an effort to develop and promote resources that will improve the wellbeing of all families, especially the most vulnerable members of our community, we cultivate open, constructive dialogue as well as informational resources that directly address areas of need or conflict. In all our efforts in moving this endeavor forward, we commit to abide by these Standards of Ethical Communication (link to standards pending).