Kids trading gifts in a crowded corner of The Abbey is not the most obvious West Hollywood holiday scene, until you get it’s the LGBTQ Parents Group Holiday Party!
In a recap shared with us, the group described a family fun holiday event that included kids having a great time, doing what kids do, a gift exchange, and what would a kids’ holiday party be without building gingerbread houses? In a sweet touch, Kiki, a manager at The Abbey, arranged gingerbread house kits for all the kids.
The event also welcomed a lot of first-time families and allies who joined in the spirit, including Mayor Byers, who stopped by to say hello. They also brought in Queen Angelina to play the violin and provide a fun storytime.
In the same message, they shared why this year felt more emotional than usual, referencing the recent antisemitic attack in Sydney, Australia. For LGBTQ+ Jewish families, they underscored, how horrific news like that feels personal. They described the importance of gathering publicly, in a space that feels safe, as part of staying visible and staying connected. They also looked back at the first holiday party during COVID, when restaurants were shut down and the party had to be held in a private home. In a sad story, they shared how police were called, and arrived only to find kids opening gifts.
Six years later, the group is larger, meets more openly, and continues to support building community for LGBTQ+ families.
For more information and dates for future meetups, visit lgbtparentsgroup.com.
