One of the highlights of RFGL's Family Week is the Family Parade in Douglas, a tiny village on the other side of the Kalamazoo river and sort of opposite to the village of Saugatuck. Douglas is "The Village of Friendliness" since 1870, and people there couldn't be more welcoming.
The Family Parade draws the whole village to Main Street. It lasts 30 minutes and it was one of the best parades Jarl and I have ever had. It was quite touching, really. It is not often that we see our families being publicly embraced and empowered.
It feels special to walk down the street, no matter how tiny, waving and being waved back at, seeing smiles instead of frowns, seeing acceptance instead of just tolerance, or indifference, or fear, or even hatred. Our families need that extra validation, and our children need it in particular. It was really the Children's Parade.
(L)
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