Culture & Community: Cartoon Character Becomes Member of Gay Rights Group

Buddy G, the title animated character in "Buddy G, My Two Moms and Me" has become a member of COLAGE, an organization for children with a gay parent or guardian.

COLAGE has welcomed Buddy G as the organization's newest member. The organization is a national movement of children, youth and adults who have one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ) parents.

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Buddy G with other youth members of COLAGE.

Buddy G is the starring animated character of the show Buddy G, My Two Moms and Me, an animated cartoon series for children starring a character with same sex parents. As the name suggests, Buddy G has two lesbian moms in the cartoon.

"Buddy G is a perfect fit for COLAGE. The cartoon promotes acceptance, justice, equality, and love by celebrating Buddy and his family; we are delighted to accept Buddy G's membership," according to Beth Teper the Executive Director of COLAGE. "While all COLAGE members are dynamic and spirited, Buddy G is our first truly animated member."

Teper went on to state that COLAGE was created for the more than 10 million people in the United States who have one or more LGBTQ parents and/or guardians. Through youth empowerment, leadership development, advocacy and education, COLAGE builds community among people with LGBTQ parents and works for social justice for all youth and families.

Youth members of COLAGE are connected to a vibrant community of peers who share the experience of having LGBTQ parents through chapters, regional events, and on-line social networking programs. The organization also disseminates a diverse array of resources including free Respect All Families posters for schools, the award-winning film In My Shoes: Stories of Youth with LGBT Parents, undergraduate scholarships and much more.

During the weekends between Mother's Day and Father's Day this year, COLAGErs and their families will participate in a national event called the American Family Outing sponsored by Soulforce in collaboration with the National Black Justice Coalition, and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and COLAGE.

According to Teper, the American Family Outing will arrange family-to-family visits with the parishioners and leaders of 6 of America's most influential mega-churches, including Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, and Rick Warren. COLAGE also is excited to invite families to two annual summer Family Weeks- one in Saugatuck, Michigan and the other in Provincetown, Massachusetts which are unique opportunities for families like Buddy's to make friends and have fun.

Margaux Towne-Colley, Executive Producer of Buddy G, reports that the animated cartoon, sold on DVD, has faced little opposition since its debut in late November, 2007 and has been enthusiastically received by LGBT parents and their children across the United States and in several other countries such as Canada, Australia, Spain, Brazil, and England. Towne-Colley indicates that over 50,000 people have watched the show's opening and theme song which is available for viewing both on the cartoon's website and YouTube. Both Buddy G and COLAGE have pages on MySpace with Buddy G's attracting more than 6,000 visitors in less than 3 months.

Towne-Colley stated, "Buddy G has enjoyed incredible success and visibility during our first four months and we hope that Buddy G's membership will bring that same prominence to COLAGE. COLAGE is a fantastic organization and can be a great source of friendship and understanding for kids with an LGBT parent or parents. I don't think it should be any surprise that a cartoon character with two moms would want to join the only national organization in the world offering a community to these kids. We produced Buddy G as one small piece of making the world a better place for youth and their families. We're proud to stand by COLAGE in this joint vision for our kids and hopefully focus well-deserved attention on a group that does outstanding work in our community." For additional information on COLAGE contact Meredith Fenton, COLAGE National Program Director at 415-861-5437 x102 or visit www.colage.org where you can find information about local chapters and events, programs and resources, and become a member.

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