By Colin Dugdale
Insight Staff  Writer

Seven pounds, six ounces … five letters.

In 1990, the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association began life as a journalistic infant that managed, quite rapidly, to stand on its own two feet. In two years, 450 people were on the membership roll. Seventeen years later, with more than 1,200 members and 25 chapters, the organization seems to have made it safely to adulthood.

As the NLGJA continues to age and mature, so do its members, many of whom now have children and families of their own.

“More and more members are becoming parents and are now concerned with different issues, which we’re trying to accommodate,” Avila said.

At this year’s national convention, there are more family-oriented activities than ever. Avila said the decision to expand the number of family panels came in response to the popularity of one of last year’s events.

“We did a closing plenary on the special challenges of being part of an LGBT family, as well as covering them,” Avila said. “We filled the room. That kind of inspired some of the programming choices this year.”

Three family-focused events are taking place Friday. 

At 11 a.m. in the Presidio Room, there will be an informal discussion for LGBT parents, their children and prospective parents. While snacking on milk and cookies, parents can learn about how to balance a busy work life with an even busier family life.

At 2:15 p.m. in the Santa Fe Room, a panel called “Covering Children” will focus on ways to include more youth voices in mainstream news stories. The panel will be moderated by Katia Hetter, editor of teen magazine New Youth Connections.

Finally, at 3:45 p.m., also in the Santa Fe Room, another panel looks at how to cover LGBT families, focusing on both the legal and practical problems of doing so. It will be moderated by Elizabeth Weise, who covers science for USA Today. 

Parents attending are encouraged to bring their children but may also opt for the hotel’s childcare service, which is available during the day.

“There was initially talk of having our own nursery this year,” Avila said. “A lot of members have been asking me about it. But, unfortunately, we ran out of room. There’s just too much going on.”

With hundreds in attendance this year, many NLGJA-ers are comparing the convention itself to one big family reunion. One of the newest members of the family is David Barre, who was hired two weeks ago to be NLGJA’s executive director. 

“There are (hundreds) of people here that I still have to get to know,” Barre said. “I still feel a few steps behind.”

Although the transition has been “daunting,” Barre said he’s looking forward to leading the organization into the future.

 Hopefully, with my help, we can grow even more than we already have,” Barre said. “I want to (expand) the family even more.”