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Virginia December Playdate*
Sunday, December 7th, 2025 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Benjamin Banneker Park 6620 18th St N, Arlington, VA 22205
These casual get-togethers are vital for our community to come together to chat, talk about schools, diapers, shoes, anxiety - whatever you want! Please come along to this wonderful park and meet some other local Rainbow Families. More dates and locations to come. *Weather permitting (will not be held if raining or too cold)
*NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED*
Ice Skating Meet-Up
Sunday, December 14th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating
1201 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA 22202
Grab your scarves, gloves, and loved ones — it’s time for a joyful day on the ice with our amazing Rainbow Families community! Glide, laugh, and celebrate together at this fun, family-friendly event where everyone is welcome. Whether you’re teaching little ones to skate or showing off your twirls, it’s all about connection, smiles, and shared memories.
Tickets are available at Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating, and also at the rink (cheaper online in advance) — ticket sales open November 30th.
Register your interest so we can send you updates. Secure your spot early, and join us for a colorful celebration of family, friendship, and winter fun.
Expecting & New Parent Support Group
Description: Rainbow Families is delighted to continue our Support Group for LGBTQ+ people who are currently expecting a child (via adoption, surrogacy, pregnancy, or foster), or new to parenthood with a child under 9 months. This program is facilitated by a licensed psychologist who specializes in reproductive health. These are peer-based groups and not to be considered a replacement for therapy or counseling.
Dates: Sunday, January 4th | Sunday, February 1st | Sunday, March 1st
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Cost: $40 per family for Rainbow Families non-members | Free for Rainbow Families members
(If you are not a Rainbow Families' member and would like to be considered for a fee waiver, please reach out to us at info@rainbowfamilies.org).
Additional Terms & Conditions:
Facilitated by: Integrative Therapy of Greater Washington
Pre-Conception Support Group
Description: Rainbow Families is pleased to continue our Support Group for LGBTQ+ people seriously considering or going through Assisted Reproductive Technology as part of their family planning journey.
This program is facilitated by a licensed psychologist who specializes in reproductive health. These are peer-based groups and not to be considered a replacement for therapy or counseling.
Dates: Sunday, January 4th | Sunday, February 1st | Sunday, March 1st Time: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Cost: $40 per family for Rainbow Families non-members | Free for Rainbow Families members(If you are not a Rainbow Families' member and would like to be considered for a fee waiver, please reach out to us at info@rainbowfamilies.org).
DC January Playdate*
Sunday, January 18th, 2026 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Marion Park in Capitol Hill E St SE & 6th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
What to Expect When You're Adopting
Thursday, January 22nd 7:00 - 8:00 PM Virtual via Zoom
Adoption is a lifelong journey and understanding what to expect can help families enter the process with clarity and confidence. Led by author, adoptee, Ph.D. Tony Hynes, this workshop will take you beyond the logistics of the home study to explore the deeper emotional experiences that often shape an adoptee’s life. We’ll discuss how grief, loss, identity, and attachment show up both before and after placement, and why these themes matter for parents to understand from the very beginning. Participants will gain practical insight into what adoption may look like day-to-day, how to create an emotionally safe environment for their child, and how to support their family’s growth over time. Whether you’re just starting to consider adoption or preparing for the next steps, this discussion will help you build a strong, informed foundation for your journey.
This webinar is a collaboration between Rainbow Families and C.A.S.E.
Maybe Baby - Winter 2026
Zoom links are sent in advance. Registration is limited to 26 individuals/families and is open until Friday, January 23rd. There will be subsequent sessions in Summer 2026 if you are not able to join this Winter.
Rainbow Families' Maybe Baby was designed over 30 years ago for prospective LGBTQ+ parents (single, married or partnered or poly, all gender identities, all relationship status') thinking about parenthood and interested in learning more about the many options and considerations in building a family. The safety and value of programs like this, created BY our community FOR our community, are tremendous.
We cover a broad range of topics including readiness for parenthood, overview of creating family through adoption, assisted reproduction and foster care/older child, financial and legal issues, building a support network, interracial and intercultural families, the joys and challenges of being an LGBTQ+ headed family and more. The class is designed to provide a balance of active discussion and sharing, as well as to gain practical information that helps set the foundation for moving forward. Like all Rainbow Families programs, this is a safe and welcoming space.
No Price Increase - 5 years running
Financial Assistance: If the registration fee presents a hardship for you, please email our Executive Director, Ted Lewis at ted@rainbowfamilies.org.
Cancellation note: Cancellations received 15 or more days prior to the course start will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations received 14 days or less are not eligible for refund. NOTE: We reserve the right to reschedule/postpone should minimum participation numbers not be met.
Agenda:
Grief & Loss Support Group
Description: Grief and loss as it relates to family building is often not discussed, or worse, dismissed. This is particularly true for the LGBTQ+ community. This group, facilitated by a deacon in The Episcopal Church who is also a community member, helps explore paths to healing, coping, and more. Sessions are held monthly in 3-month cycles. Like all Rainbow Families support groups, this is a safe and welcoming space.
Dates: Tuesday, January 27th | Tuesday, February 24th | Tuesday, March 31st Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Eastern Cost: $40 per family for non-members | Free for Rainbow Families' members. (If you are not a Rainbow Families' member and would like to be considered for a fee waiver, please reach out to us at info@rainbowfamilies.org).
The Divorced & Separated Support Group is a peer-based, informal support group for divorced or separated LGBTQ+ parents going through divorce or separation (or who already are divorced). Non-parents are welcome to participate, with the understanding that discussions will include topics of parenthood & divorce/separation.
This is an excellent opportunity to come together as a community to discuss and share resources, laugh and learn about commonalities and differences, as well as dig deeper into the experiences that unite us. Meetings held virtually.
Available to participants nationally. Rainbow Families membership not required first Monday of every month, 8:00pm ET NO COST for Rainbow Families members | $40 for non-members
Annual Valentine's Craft Party
Saturday, February 7th 1:00-3:00pm
Valentine’s Craft Party (with Slime)
Join us for a fun, laid-back Valentine’s celebration with crafts, cards, snacks, and plenty of good vibes. Kids can dive into our slime-making station to whip up their own colorful, glittery goo as well as make Valentine cards for friends and family all while everyone hangs out, laughs, and enjoys the afternoon together. It’s all about love, community, and a little messy fun!
This event is free for Rainbow Families' members and $10 for each non-member adult, all children under 18 are free. Not yet a member? Click here to learn more about Rainbow Families' membership.
Nurturing Belonging in Interracial Adoptive Families
Wednesday, March 4th 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Interracial adoption adds layers of complexity to a child’s experience of identity, culture, and belonging. In this workshop, adoptee and scholar Tony Hynes, Ph.D. draws on research insights and personal lived experience to guide families and professionals through the realities that children in interracial and transracial adoptions often navigate.
Together, we will explore how race, culture, and adoption intersect—and how these intersections shape a child’s developing sense of self. Topics will include identity formation, navigating environments where a child may be racially isolated, responding to bias or racialized comments, and the importance of connection to a child’s birth culture and community. Participants will learn practical ways to build racial awareness within the family, support healthy identity development, and create a home environment where children feel seen, safe, and understood.
Rainbow Families DC tm
5614 Connecticut Ave NW #309
Washington, DC 20015-2604
P: (202) 417-8897
E: info@rainbowfamilies.org
Copyright 2018-2023 All rights reservedRainbow Families, the Tree logo, and Maybe Baby are trademarks of Rainbow Families DC. Use of our logo or name are prohibited without express permission.