The idea of the Celebrating All Families Festival grew out of a Diversity Committee discussion at the Rainier Unitarian Universalist Center (RUUC) on Yesler Way. While charged with the difficult mission of creating a multicultural faith community, the committee decided to celebrate the diversity they cherish most; the variety of their family constellations. Committee member Liz Bucklew said people wanted to acknowledge and honor family diversity and an atmosphere embracing all types of families not only found at RUUC but in the Southeast Seattle Community at large.
RUUC prides itself for its wide variety of such diversity. Liz Bucklew and her partner, Kristin Grace have two daughters, one born to each of them. Another lesbian couple in the church has a daughter adopted from an Indian family with whom they are very close. One family consists of a single Filapina mother with a son adopted from Vietnam. There are a number of traditional family configurations at RUUC, but they are happily integrated with an array of mixed race, single parent, and GBLT families whose parents and children love and respect one another in the organization's close knit community.
Mike and Jean Jones-Toutant are a white couple with two well-adjusted African American children. The Jones-Toutants live in the Lakewood neighborhood.
"We moved here 6 years ago from Spokane and prior to that from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho," Said Mike. "We wanted to live in an area where our family would easily blend in and our children would not constantly feel different. We really feel at home in our neighborhood, and honestly wouldn't want to live any place else. There are many other families that look like ours as well as other non-traditional families. Our children don't question it. They are loved and honored by our neighbors and community for just being who they are."
The Jones-Toutants feel their choice of a home and church community in South Seattle has been right for them as a multicultural family.
"It hasn't been difficult to expose our children to their culture of origin," said Mike. "We live in such a wonderfully diverse area. We don't have to go looking for it. We participate in our community and find most of our activities right here in the Rainier Valley. Several of our neighbors, who also happen to be African American, have been so accepting of our family. Some have adopted us as a part of their families and traditions."
A COMMUNITY BUILDER
According to Liz Bucklew, a major purpose of the Celebrating All Families Festival is to support that building of community among diverse families.
"The Family Festival will create a safe and fun place for families to gather and just be themselves," Bucklew said. "It is about celebrating families of all kinds, kids from same-sex parents, kids who are adopted, mixed-race families and more. It's about honoring and celebrating what makes each special and unique. I want our kids to see other families like theirs and I want them to see families that look different from them too. A family is not defined by gender or color or even birth. The true measure is love."
Bucklew admitted that there have been challenges in her family situation even here in Southeast Seattle.
"My kids have been teased. Not often, but it happens. Usually other kids are just incredulous. 'How can you have two moms?' We don't have the same rights or respect as traditional families with a father and mother," Bucklew asserted. "We spend a lot of time educating others. I have to be really explicit that my kids have two mothers with equal status as parents. Each new teacher, doctor, friend, gets the speech."
Bucklew and Grace have been selective in their choice of educational experiences for their children. Their girls attend the New School in Rainier Beach.
"All sorts of differences are celebrated (there). They know classmates with same-sex parents and can see that they are not alone," Bucklew said. "When (her daughter) was teased in kindergarten about having two moms, her wonderful teacher addressed the issue immediately."
This fall the same daughter will enter second grade and her new teacher asked for permission to talk with the class about their unique family.
"I felt honored and reassured by the teacher's respect," said Bucklew.
GATHERING RESPECT
According to Festival organizer, Rosemary Adang, the purpose of this event is to build that respect among families of "all shapes and sizes." It will consist of fun, food, music, games, art activities, information sharing and networking. She invites every one to, "come to meet and greet, make new friends, and strengthen our community as a great place for all families to live together and share a common spirit of respect and support."
The musical program in the Great Hall at RUUC will include the marimba group Nzira, the polka band Polkamotion, singer-songwriter Jess Grant, and jazz singer Shirley Cooper. There will be room for dancing, and baked goods and beverages for sale. Additionally, there will be a sing-along, games and art activities for the kids.
The Festival is being organized by the RVUUC and co-sponsored by the Yesler Community Center, Neighborhood House, Childhaven, Multifaith Works, Within Reach, and the Yesler Terrace Community Council.
It will take place at the Rainier UU Center at 835 Yesler Way (Yesler and Broadway) on Saturday, September 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Additional information about the Celebrating All Families Festival can be obtained from Rosemary Adang and/or Kevin Henry at 206-722-4880, admin@rvuuc.org or reigningman@aol.com.
Othello writer Mona Lee may be reached via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.[[In-content Ad]]
