Family Pride to honor lesbian "Postcards from Buster" family, Provincetown

[Ian David]

FAMILY PRIDE WILL HONOR ‘BUSTER’ FAMILY AT 10th ANNUAL FAMILY WEEK IN PROVINCETOWN

Pieper-Pike Family Will Receive ‘Families of Courage’ Award at National LGBT Family Gathering


'Buster' Family Photo

The Family Pride Coalition will honor the family of Gillian Pieper and Karen Pike with its fourth annual “Families of Courage” award at its 10th annual Family Week event in Provincetown, Mass. July 30-Aug. 6.

The Pieper/Pike family was featured in the “Postcards from Buster” episode that ignited a national debate after U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings strongly denounced the program because it featured children with two moms, saying that “Many parents would not want their young children exposed to the lifestyles portrayed in the episode.”

“I am thrilled that Family Pride is honoring the Pieper/Pike family,” said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of Family Pride, the only national organization exclusively dedicated to securing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) parents and their families. “It is real families, sharing real facts about their lives that will dramatically reshape our civil rights battles. The Pieper/Pike family will long be remembered as heroes of our movement for doing just that -- sharing the real story of who their family is.”

“We are deeply touched by this award from the Family Pride Coalition,” Pieper and Pike said. “As parents, we feel fairly humble about such an honor because we simply did what any mother would deem necessary. When bullies come knocking, you stand up for your child’s safety and rights. We acted on instinct. The real courage lies in our children who stood up along side us and fought for their family’s right to be seen and loved by America. That’s courage.

“Family Pride is a vital organization for America’s LGBT families. We are so proud to be a part of their annual celebration and are grateful for the attention they gave the ‘Postcards from Buster’ controversy,” Pieper and Pike said. “What Margaret Spellings and PBS took from us, Family Pride has returned ten-fold. Thank you to everyone at Family Pride who believed in our kids and in their strength of character. Because of Family Pride, our kids will look back on this controversy with pride and dignity.”

A longtime activist for human rights and diversity in the workplace, Pieper is a nationally-renowned presenter, and is a founding member of the Vermont statewide team known as Safe Harbors, a Department of Education-sponsored effort to maintain safe, civil schools for LGBT youth, families and staff.

An award-winning photojournalist, Pike’s work has appeared in countless publications, including Time, Newsweek, The Washington Post, The New York Times and the best-selling book America 24/7. As an activist for human rights, Pike has provided a visual image of social justice throughout her career, donating her time to non-profit organizations, documenting poverty across the world and standing up for sexual minority/gender identity rights.

Pieper and Pike were united in a Vermont civil union in 2002. The family lives outside Burlington, Vermont with their three children, Emma (12), James (12) and David (10).

Family Week activities include workshops and social activities for parents and their children. The Family Pride Coalition has again invited COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) to offer social and educational programming for youth nine years and older. Some of the additional adventures include whale-watching tours, barbecues, beach parties, a family parade and a family dance.

Advance registration for both events is $150 per family. On-site registration will be $175. Registration forms are available online at www.familypride.org or by calling [phone].

Family Week corporate sponsors include Capital One, Volvo Cars of North America, IBM, WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort, Crew Creative Advertising and Growing Generations.



The Family Pride Coalition is the only national non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to securing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents and their families.

By becoming a member of the Family Pride Coalition you have the opportunity to dramatically affect the lives of LGBT parents and their families. Please join the Family Pride Coalition today by filling out our online membership form by clicking http://www.familypride.org/joinus.htm.