Rainbow Families Festival: Celebrating Family Diversity and LGBTQIA+ Realities

The Rainbow Families Festival (Festival Familles-Arc-en-Ciel) is an inspiring event dedicated to exploring, questioning, and celebrating the many ways families are formed today. With the theme “Making Family Differently,” the festival invites everyone—parents, children, and allies—to discover the richness of diverse family models, better understand LGBTQIA+ realities, and share in a day of learning, creativity, and community.

Program Overview
10:00 AM – Welcome
The festival opens its doors with a warm welcome, setting the stage for a day of connection and discovery.

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: “Ce qui nous lie” by Sonam Larcin
This powerful documentary delves into the challenges faced by same-sex couples who wish to become parents. Director Sonam Larcin embarks on a deeply personal journey, exploring what truly binds us as families. The film raises profound questions:

What fuels our desire for parenthood?

How important are biological ties in forming attachment?
Through poignant storytelling and personal reflection, the film not only explores the quest for parenthood but also depicts a moving reconciliation between the filmmaker and his own father. From the depths of impossibility, new possibilities for family emerge.

For Children:
At the same time, kids can enjoy the animated film “Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary”, a story of adventure and resilience.

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Free Lunch
A complimentary lunch provides a relaxed moment for families and friends to connect and share experiences.

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Family Storytime – Children’s Book Readings
Join us for family-friendly readings and interactive activities for parents and children.
Children’s literature is evolving to reflect the diversity of today’s families, ensuring every child can see themselves in the stories they hear. Discover books that broaden horizons and celebrate all the ways families can be made!

4:00 PM – 5:45 PM: “Crossing the Genders” – A Lively Conference by Priscilla, a Trans Woman
This engaging and interactive talk is for anyone interested in diversity—not just gender, but all forms of difference. Priscilla, a trans woman, shares personal anecdotes and uses tarot cards to guide a conversation about gender, societal norms, and the impact of patriarchy and capitalism on our understanding of identity.

She discusses:

• The challenges and joys of “crossing the ocean of genders”
• How trans experiences (and others) challenge binary norms
• The resources and support that helped her thrive
• How to build a more inclusive and respectful world for everyone
• The conference lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes, followed by a 30-minute Q&A and open discussion.

For Children:
During this session, kids can participate in the art workshop “Families of All Colors: Make Your Own Diorama” (limited to 10 children), where they’ll create miniature scenes celebrating family diversity.

Location DK : Rue de Danemark, 70 / B 1060 Saint-Gilles

E-maill.schmitz@liguedesfamilles.be