A group of gay dads hopes to raise awareness and offer support to others like themselves

The Pop Luck Club, a non-profit organization that supports gay fathers throughout Southern California hopes to raise awareness, support and understanding for gay dads and their families with the launch of its “Raise a Child” ad campaign. The campaign was created to help dads and prospective dads as they explore the many routes to creating families, including surrogacy, fostering and adoption. The campaign includes radio PSAs and bus shelter ads featuring family portraits of its members.

The ad campaign hopes to reduce stigma around gay parenting. “We make lunches for our kids, get them to music and karate lessons… just like every family,” says Richard Valenza, co-president of the Pop Luck Club. He adds, “With this campaign, we are putting a real face on gay parenting.”

Since its founding in 1998, the Pop Luck Club has grown from a handful of fathers to over 500 members. It facilitates monthly “pot luck” play dates, discussions and support groups, online resources and news groups, family events and mentorship programs for prospective fathers.

(Image: The Pop Luck Club)