Governance, project, and publication files maintained by Casey and Mary Ellen Lopata  to document  "a resource and networking ministry with Catholic parents of LGBT+ daughters and sons" they founded in 2004, after they left the Catholic Gay and Lesbian Family Ministry, based in Rochester, New York, which they had begun in 1992. The Lopatas retired from the board of directors in 2014 and the organization restructured in 2018 under new leadership. More information is available on its website. Casey Lopata passed away in May of 2021.

Gift of Casey and Mary Ellen Lopata, 2018.

Processed by Miranda Hunt and Isabelle Holmes, 2022 - 2023.

Scope and Content

The Fortunate Families (FF) records are arranged into six series. They include electronic as well as paper formats. Both of these formats have been integrated into the arrangement scheme and are available to on-site researchers. Paper documents are stored in cardboard boxes and folders. Electronic records (ER) reside in electronic folders on a computer server and are clearly identified as such on the inventories (e.g. ER-1). 

Series 1, Correspondence, 1980-2020, consists of letters, emails, and cards 
Series 2, Governance Files, 2004-2014, contains directors information, minutes of board meetings, reports, grant applications, fundraising information, responsibilities, and legal and policy documents.

Series 3, Project Files, 2000-2014, consists of files on the Seeds of Hope project, a survey of Catholic parents of LGBT children, PFLAG, Equally Blessed, NACDLGM, CALGM, the Parent's Voice Project, and the Listening Parents Network.

Series 4, Publications, contains General articles/research, press releases, timelines, handouts, website information, newsletters, and essays/speeches (not written by Lopata).

Series 5, Writings, consists of the writings and speeches of Lopata.

Series 6: Events, consists of presentations, event schedules, flyers, programs, handouts, conference notes, and photos of various events.