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Finding community as an LGBTQ family can be transformational and we know love is the foundation of ALL families. Creating connections and nurturing belonging helps build and strengthen that foundation. This series provides an opportunity for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer parents and caregivers and their allies to explore some of the critical issues and challenges parents face every day, sharing solutions and successful approaches while strengthening our community — one conversation at a time.
The four-part series began on Monday, May 5, and continued through June 23, 2025. The series was moderated by Kim Simes, Executive Vice President of External Affairs at Family Equality. The series is part of BTC’s Family-to-Family Real Talk Program. All are welcome!
Meet Kim Simes (she/her)
Series Moderator
Kim Simes is the Executive Vice President of External Affairs at Family Equality, coordinating the organization’s strategic alignment of diverse internal and external activities. Prior to this role, Kim served as the Director of Special Events with the Development Team, and previously served as Director of Regional Programming for Family Equality, focusing on coordinating community events in the Midwest and West Coast Regions. Kim’s passion is working with and connecting with people. Kim completed her education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earning a BA in Speech–Organizational Communication and a Master’s Degree in Counseling.
Kim and her wife, Robin, live in Wisconsin where they are raising their two teenage daughters. When not at school and work, the family enjoys traveling, being in + near water, walking their two rescue dogs, and spending time with friends and family.
Kim and her wife, Robin, live in Wisconsin where they are raising their two teenage daughters. When not at school and work, the family enjoys traveling, being in + near water, walking their two rescue dogs, and spending time with friends and family.
Episode 1: Navigating Schools as an LGBTQ+ Family
Monday, May 5 @ 3 pm ET / 12 pm PT
Learn everything you need to know about changing federal and state policies and how they affect schools and early childhood programs. And let’s explore together everything we can do as LGBTQ+ parents, caregivers and allies to ensure our children’s needs are not overlooked while affirming how to best advocate for our families.
Tonya Agnew (she/her)
Tonya Agnew is currently the Vice President of Communications & Marketing for Family Equality, having previously served as Chief Communications Officer in 2022–2023. In her present role, she oversees Family Equality’s marketing, communications and media strategies, public relations, social media, websites, and digital communications. She manages a small but mighty team of talented communications and marketing professionals who support Family Equality’s mission through storytelling, media placements, brand management, and building relationships.
Nikhil Vashee (they/them)
Nikhil Vashee is currently the Director of Education Law and Policy, Senior Policy Counsel for Family Equality. In this role, they promote policy solutions at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure LGBTQ+ families’ access to quality education in a supportive environment. They also oversee litigation, amicus curiae briefs, and other legal efforts to combat discrimination against LGBTQ+ families in education.
Episode 2: Protecting Your LGBTQ+ Family
Monday, May 19 @ 3 pm ET / 12 pm PT
Understanding the benefits and importance of legally secure parent-child relationships is vital in today’s shifting cultural and legal landscapes. Our conversation will lift up these benefits and provide an overview of the various paths to legal security throughout the United States for LGBTQ+ families.
Meg York (she/her)
Meg York is currently the Director of LGBTQ+ Family Law and Policy and Senior Policy Counsel for Family Equality. In these roles, Meg advances a proactive agenda for LGBTQ+ family formation and protection.
Prior to joining Family Equality, Meg was a Professor of Law and Director of the Family Law Project at the school’s legal clinic. In addition to teaching substantive law, Meg won several cases that changed the legal landscape for all LGBTQ+ individuals in her state. Before her professorship, Meg worked as a family law attorney, representing clients in divorce, parentage, custody, and adoption proceedings, as well as representing children and parents in abuse and neglect cases. She also supported the specific legal needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Meg’s background includes working with various nonprofits focused on LGBTQ+ rights, social justice, racial equity, rural advocacy, and animal welfare issues.
Prior to joining Family Equality, Meg was a Professor of Law and Director of the Family Law Project at the school’s legal clinic. In addition to teaching substantive law, Meg won several cases that changed the legal landscape for all LGBTQ+ individuals in her state. Before her professorship, Meg worked as a family law attorney, representing clients in divorce, parentage, custody, and adoption proceedings, as well as representing children and parents in abuse and neglect cases. She also supported the specific legal needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Meg’s background includes working with various nonprofits focused on LGBTQ+ rights, social justice, racial equity, rural advocacy, and animal welfare issues.
Evi Woodlinn (they/she)
Evi Woodlinn is a queer and nonbinary parent to a toddler, and an attorney with a focus in family building, estate planning, domestic violence and protection from harassment, trans issues, and landlord-tenant matters.
Prior to opening their solo practice, Evi was the leader of the Family Formation practice and a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice at a large Maine law firm. Previously, she served as a law clerk for the Hon. Jeffrey L. Hjelm of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and spent several years serving as Assistant Corporation Counsel at the New York City Law Department. Evi earned their JD from Vermont Law and Graduate School, and BA from Mount Holyoke College. She is admitted to practice in Maine and New York.
Prior to opening their solo practice, Evi was the leader of the Family Formation practice and a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice at a large Maine law firm. Previously, she served as a law clerk for the Hon. Jeffrey L. Hjelm of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and spent several years serving as Assistant Corporation Counsel at the New York City Law Department. Evi earned their JD from Vermont Law and Graduate School, and BA from Mount Holyoke College. She is admitted to practice in Maine and New York.
Episode 3: Advocacy 101
Monday, June 9 @ 3 pm ET/ 12 pm PT
Advocating for your family is one of the most powerful roles a parent can take on. In this session, two parents will share their personal journeys and practical strategies for showing up as strong advocates in schools, community spaces, at the Capitol, and beyond. Through real-life stories, lessons learned, and actionable tools, this session will empower every parent to speak up, push back, and build a safer, more inclusive world for their families.
Bethany Snyder (she/her)
Bethany Snyder is a Family Equality Board Member and owner of Snyder Strategies. She is a passionate advocate, strategist, and community builder based in Urbandale, Iowa. A proud Iowa native, she returned to her home state in 2019 after years working across the country in policy, communications, and advocacy. She is the founder of Central Iowa Rainbow Families, a thriving network of more than 1500 LGBTQ+ identified parents and families with LGBTQ+ children. Through monthly events and community partnerships, Bethany has helped create a space for connection, support, and visibility in Central Iowa.
In addition to leading Rainbow Families, Bethany chairs One Iowa Action and the Urbandale Civil Rights Commission. For pay, she runs her own advocacy and communications consultancy, helping mission-driven organizations harness their people power to create change. Whether she’s organizing a family gathering or guiding a strategic campaign, Bethany brings clarity, energy, and a deep commitment to equity to everything she does.
In addition to leading Rainbow Families, Bethany chairs One Iowa Action and the Urbandale Civil Rights Commission. For pay, she runs her own advocacy and communications consultancy, helping mission-driven organizations harness their people power to create change. Whether she’s organizing a family gathering or guiding a strategic campaign, Bethany brings clarity, energy, and a deep commitment to equity to everything she does.
Brigit Stevens (she/her)
Brigit Stevens is a dedicated pastor, fierce advocate, and proud parent. After spending years working for justice and equity in her community, Brigit’s advocacy deepened after recent laws in Iowa began targeting trans and nonbinary youth. As the mother of a nonbinary, queer teenager, Brigit has shown up at every level — from local school board meetings to the state legislature to congressional offices in Washington, DC — to ensure all families, including her own, are seen, heard, and protected. Grounded in faith and fierce love, Brigit is committed to helping other parents feel equipped and empowered to advocate for their families.
Episode 4: The Art of Social Media and LGBTQ+ Families
Monday, June 23 @ 3 pm ET/ 12 pm PT
Let’s discuss how LGBTQ+ families can harness the power of social media to find community, connect with other families, and be part of history. We will also discuss how to keep your family safe while sharing online.
Victor Arreola, Jr. (he/him)
Victor Arreola, Jr. was born and raised in Southern California. He shares father duties with his husband, Joseph, at their home. Victor’s pride and joy are their three children. He works for California Intercontinental University where he helps to transform adults’ lives with the empowerment of continued education. Victor shares his thoughts on how Joseph and he decided to be more visible and even take up activism as a family to fight for equal human rights and family equality as a Two Dad (Dos Padres) LGBTQ+ Family, “We can only hope to make a positive impact and contribute to the ongoing movement of family and human equality. Our goal is to remind everyone that we are all the same; making a difference in society is why we are actively visible, as we believe strongly it makes the world a safer place. We were terrified to come out, we were terrified to share photos together on social media, and we are terrified to one day make a documentary, a passion project to prove that love conquers all and how discovering transparency in life can become a lifesaving resource for anyone who is struggling with who they are, and what beautiful life they deserve and dream of living!”
Joseph Chavez, Jr. (he/him)
Joseph Chavez, Jr. was born, raised, and is currently living in Southern California. He is a Sr. Public Affairs Representative at The Metropolitan Water District, where he has worked for over 34 years. He is married to his husband, Victor Arreola, Jr., and they just celebrated their 10-year anniversary this past December with their three children. Joseph shares, “Our family dynamic is living in a resilient and exciting time with lots of newfound challenges on how to raise children in a world that is struggling with equality. Our “Dos Padres” living journey will be on how to prepare our children to be the forefront of this long time in the making movement. To lead by example, with character and empathy. It is important to share through family pride and authentic transparency because representation and inclusion matters. We are all perfectly imperfect and deserve happiness. It took Victor and I over 40 years to find it; we don’t want others to have to wait that long. Just because you are gay doesn’t mean you cannot be married, be parents, have a family, and experience that blessing. My wish is to share our story with others, and spark hope!”
Alexis Corona (he/him)
Alexis Corona is currently the Digital Communications Associate for Family Equality. In this role, he manages and supports all aspects of digital communications — including social media, email, and website content. He is in charge of developing strategy, ensuring growth, and increasing engagement. In his previous work, he launched several campaigns that connected members with organizations’ services, raised visibility, and amplified voices for the Latinx, Black, AAPI, and LGBTQ+ communities.
Questions about this series? Contact us today.
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This free conversation series provides an opportunity for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer parents and caregivers and their allies to explore some of the critical issues and challenges parents face every day, sharing solutions and successful approaches while strengthening our community — one conversation at a time.
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