Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Family Week?
Family Week in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is the largest annual gathering of LGBTQ+ parents and their children in the world — and this year’s Family Week is extra special because we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary!
For three decades, hundreds of families have come together from over thirty states and from around the world. Family Equality and COLAGE work in partnership to organize a full week of workshops, family fun, new experiences, and community-building. Family Equality organizes different events during the week for parents and whole families, and COLAGE offers engaging and empowering youth programs for ages seven and up.
Re-live some of the magic of Family Week 2023 by checking out Family Week 2023 at a glance!
What is the difference between Family Equality and COLAGE?
As the leading national nonprofit for current and future LGBTQ+ families, Family Equality exists to create a world where everyone can experience the unconditional love, safety, and belonging of family. We ensure that everyone has the freedom to find, form, and sustain their families by advancing equality for the LGBTQ+ community. Learn more at familyequality.org.
COLAGE remains by and for people with LGBTQIA+ parents and caregivers. COLAGE unites the six million youth and adults with LGBTQIA+ parents and caregivers across the US into a network of peers, supporting them as they nurture and empower each other to be skilled, self-confident, and just leaders. Learn more at colage.org.
When does registration open for Family Week 2024?
Family Week is scheduled for July 27 - August 3, 2024. Registration opens March 18!
What is the difference between registering with Family Equality and COLAGE?
When you purchase your Family Week registration with Family Equality, all ticket options include general registration for over twenty events throughout the week. This general registration gets you into events for the whole family – from the daily morning Littles' Gathering to the new Family Night and the Family Pride Parade. Registration is needed in order to take part in official Family Week events.
When you register for Family Week with COLAGE, you will have the option of choosing a ticket for 8-10 year olds, 11-13 year olds, or 14-18 year olds. COLAGE offers morning program for these age groups, a Facilitator in Training program for youth entering junior and senior year of high school, and afternoon and evening events for tweens and teens. All COLAGE programs are led for and by people with LGBTQIA+ parents. COLAGE programs are thoughtfully developed for each age group, balancing creativity with recreation; providing a safe environment for participants to talk with other youth about challenges they face and ways to become empowered, all while focusing on connecting to a network of peers that will be lifelong friends and support system. Registering for a COLAGE ticket for Family Week will give you access to the 30+ Family Week official events, an official COLAGE Family Week youth t-shirt, and access to the COLAGE-only drop-off programs and events. The COLAGE ticket is only for youth ages 8 - 18+ with one or more LGBTQIA+ parent or caregiver.
Do I need to go to Registration/Check-In on Saturday or Sunday if I pre-registered online?
Yes. Every family must check in with Family Equality or COLAGE at Registration/Check-In, even those that pre-register online. At Registration, you will receive notice about schedule updates, exciting giveaways, and your family’s wristbands (*please note - wristbands are only required for official Family Week programming.)
What if I cannot check-in for Family Week on Sunday during the designated times?
Don’t worry! Swing by the Family Week hub in Bas Relief Park, under the tent in the park behind Town Hall. Family Equality and COLAGE will be there Monday to Thursday morning starting at 9 am. We’ll have your welcome materials ready for you.
I live, or will be, in Provincetown during Family Week, and I want to collaborate with you. Who should I talk to?
We love to make new friends and introduce new partners! Please contact Family Equality’s Family Week Team to discuss potential Family Equality collaborations for Family Week 2024 and beyond. You can also contact the COLAGE team to discuss COLAGE collaborations for Family Week 2024 and beyond.
What is the history of Family Week?
In the mid-90's, Tim Fisher and Scott Davenport, a couple living in New Jersey, brought their daughter, Kati, and son, Fritz, to Provincetown for a vacation. After a week of meeting other gay and lesbian parents at the beach, they invited about 15 of those families to their rented house for dinner. “It was a magical event”, Mr. Davenport recalls, “at which children of gay parents — many of whom didn't know other families like theirs — suddenly felt less alone.” Over the next three decades, the event — which came to be known as Family Week — has grown so large that by last summer, the closing family parade seemed to stretch from one end of Provincetown to the other!
Is babysitting available?
Parents who are interested in finding a babysitter can post in the Family Week Facebook group to connect with others.
How are Family Equality and COLAGE working to make Family Week accessible?
We are doing everything we can to make Family Week inclusive in celebration of our different perspectives, lives, experiences, and accessibility needs! Please indicate any access needs you may have while registering. Also note that in Ptown, there are few to no elevators in many buildings that are multiple stories. There are usually steps to enter buildings and most venues have little-to-no parking. Additionally, the sidewalks in Ptown are narrow, crowded, and uneven.
Family Equality and COLAGE have gathered measurements, images, and pictures from in-person trips to gather access information for anyone who may want to know more about the spaces and if their access requests can be met at Family Week or specific events. ASL interpreters available at larger events, and COLAGE can confirm that interpreters will be available at COLAGE events like the teen panel and the variety show. If a youth in COLAGE programming needs an ASL interpreter, please indicate that on your registration. At Herring Cove, where we host the Beach Bash, there is a wooden ramp and access mat that extends halfway down the sand. However, with the tide, it does not always provide a reliable or accessible decline onto the beach. Ptown does have free beach wheelchairs available. We have chairs at all or our events for both youth and parents to be able to sit down and COLAGE and Family Equality staff are always willing to work with participants in any way to make more spaces accessible for our participants.
Because a majority of our organizers are non-disabled, we are very open to feedback and giving support/information as needed. Our goal is to plan this event with disability justice top of mind—please don't hesitate to contact us if we are failing to reach this goal. If you have any questions about how we can best support you and your family, please email info@colage.org or familyweek@familyequality.org.
When is Family Week 2024 again?
July 27 - August 3! See you there!
