Peggy Gillespie Is the Anti-DeSantis, Anti-Trump, Pro-Love Hero We Need

Peggy Gillespie Is the Anti-DeSantis, Anti-Trump, Pro-Love Hero We Need

Author: Jaimie Kelton – Queer Parenting & LGBTQ Families'. June 19, 2025 Duration: 53:40

Peggy Gillespie returns to The Queer Family Podcast with even more stories, accolades, and queer advocacy badassery.

Peggy Gillespie, co-founder of Family Diversity Projects and creator of Love Makes a Family and Authentic Selves, is back for our Pride Extravaganza—and she has not slowed down. Since her first appearance on the show, Peggy has been honored by Family Equality, hugged by Katie Couric, and danced her way into queer history. In this episode, host Jaimie Kelton sits down with Peggy to hear about the Family Equality Gala, her powerful new exhibits centering trans and nonbinary folks, and her ongoing mission to flood schools, libraries, and public spaces with true representation.

They also unpack why “normal” is a dangerous word, how early childhood bias takes root, and why telling our stories—especially in this political climate—is more vital than ever.

🎙️ “If you want to hate people, go hate the people causing violence and injustice in the world—not the people just trying to live as their authentic selves.” – Peggy Gillespie

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🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways

  • How a racist moment in her child’s preschool led to a national movement for representation
  • The creation and impact of “Love Makes a Family,” “Of Many Colors,” and “Authentic Selves”
  • Peggy’s surprise spotlight moment at the Family Equality Gala
  • Bringing LGBTQIA+ and multiracial family exhibits to schools and workplaces
  • Her dreams for a scripted series based on Family Week in Provincetown

🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

Peggy Gillespie is the co-founder of Family Diversity Projects and the creator behind groundbreaking exhibits like Love Makes a Family and Authentic Selves. For over 30 years, she’s been amplifying stories of LGBTQIA+, multiracial, and underrepresented families in schools, libraries, and public spaces nationwide. Peggy is a writer, activist, and proud queer mom—and a true force for inclusion.

🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned


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Hosted by queer mom Jaimie Kelton, The Queer Family Podcast-LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting Stories offers a weekly space that is both uproariously funny and deeply genuine. Each episode features conversations with LGBTQIA+ parents, hopeful parents, and their allies, delving into the specific joys and hurdles of building a family outside of traditional frameworks. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of the paths to parenthood-from adoption and fostering to IVF and surrogacy-and the everyday realities of raising kids in a world that can still feel unfamiliar. This podcast moves beyond theory, focusing on lived experiences that cover everything from health and fitness routines that work for queer families to navigating complex conversations about sexuality and society with children. The goal is straightforward: to share stories that normalize these experiences, elevate diverse voices, and celebrate the full spectrum of queer family life. Tuning in means connecting with a community, finding resonance in shared challenges, and gathering a lot of practical wisdom-and laughter-along the way. It’s a resource and a companion for anyone curious about or living within the beautifully expansive definition of a modern family.
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