LGBT Healthy Families Initiative
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Promoting an Awareness of Family Health History and Future Health in LGBT Families

LGBT families are created in many unique ways. Our identified families share history, traditions and values and common medical backgrounds. This website was created to help LGBT families to understand how health, family history, health beliefs, healthy living and genetic background are an important part of future health.

     
   

         
     

The LGBT Family Toolkits are Here!

"Does it Run in The Family?", our brand new toolkits which assist LGBT families in collecting and recording family health histories are now available. These booklets are full of information and tools that will help you keep track of important medical and health information that can make a big difference in the future of your family.

We are mailing a free copy of "Does it Run in The Family?" to everyone on our mailing list. If you are not on our list, but would like a copy, contact us and we will send one to you within 7 - 10 working days.

We are pleased to announce that The LGBT Healthy Families Initiative, a project of the Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project was recently chosen by the Genetic Alliance to receive a Community Centered Family Health History Program Award.

This award has enabled us to survey LGBT families about their attitudes concerning the importance of family health history. With this information, we were able to create customized toolkits to assist LGBT people in collecting and recording their family heatlh history information.

             
 
The LGBT Healthy Families Initiative Has Tools and Information to Help You on the Journey to Future Health

Healthy Futures

A guide to healthy living through family health history awareness.

  

Health care professionals have known for a long time that common diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes can run in families. New studies show that even families who are not biologically related often share health concerns that stem from behavior and lifestyle choices. Your personal health is influences by your family health history.

Do you ever wonder:

  • How will my grandmother's health conditions affect my health?
  • Does diabetes or heart disease run in my family?
  • How will our sperm donor's medical history affect our child?
  • How do my partner's health beliefs affect our family's health?


    • If you have, then you are in the right place!

 
             
                               
         

Ask a Genetic Counselor!

Our grant from the Genetic Alliance is offering a time-limited free genetic counseling information service. This is your opportunity to review your family health history and if a question or concern arises regarding genetics and heredity, you may complete the form below and a genetic counselor will contact you.
           
The Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project, with cosponsors Family Equality Council (formerly Family Pride Coalition) and COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere), is planning the 2009 Pride and Joy Families Weekend Conference for LGBT* parents, prospective parents and their children in Utica, NY on April 24-26, 2009. Learn more...
       
 
     


Same-Sex Marriage and Health

"A large body of scientific research indicates that the denial of marriage rights to gay men and lesbians can negatively impact their health and well being and that of their children."

View the complete study

- GLMA Marriage Initiative
The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA)

 
 
       


The LGBT Healthy Families Initiative is a program of The Gay and Lesbian Family Building Project of Ferre Institute, Inc.

To learn more about our programs visit: www.Ferre.org and www.PrideAndJoyFamilies.org.

  
                           
         

Ferre Institute is a community based-community supported non-profit organization devoted to quality services in genetics and reproductive health. Ferre Institute provides professional education to medical providers, counselors, and other human services personnel. Individual counseling and education are also provided to patients of all ages in the Genetic Counseling, Family Building, and Prenatal Risk Programs.