The first informal gathering of Saint-Petersburg's GLBT parents and future gay parents was held in city's suburbs at the end of November. "Coming out" GLBT organization reports that "active members of the local gay community gathered together to show to their children other families with same-sex parents, to share their experience and get support, to find a way to change the society's mood on same-sex parenthood".
GLBT parents' gathering is a part of a special project under the aegis of the "Coming out". During 2009-2010 around 20 gay actions have been held and around 500 people participated in it. The local mass media responded to these events by publishing several gay-friendly reports on GLBT families and their children.
In December 2009 with the support of Henrich Bell's foundation the "GLBT-parenthood: problems, needs and perspectives" scientific research was carried out, the development strategy of Saint-Petersburg's GLBT movement was defined and a brochure was published. Under this programme "Coming out" supported the exhibition "Positive children" dedicated to the issue of tolerance of the society to HIV+ children.
Any member of GLBT community who wants to become a gay parent and have children is welcomed to join Petersburg's gay parents actions via e-mail: proud.parenting@gmail.com.
English translation presented by Yerdna Bananes