It’s like our pal Reluctant Daddy Tod Abrams says, “Each and every one of us should have the right to be as miserably unhappy as our parents.” Read more...
President Obama, by stating that he supports my family’s right to equality, has given me hope that my son may grow up in a country where he is not disadvantaged because of anti-gay laws and attitudes. We’re still a long way from that–no laws have changed since he spoke–but I am optimistic that the President has set an example for others to follow. I am also delighted that he mentioned the positive influence of his daughters, who have friends with same-sex parents, and who accept them and their families as inherently equal. I believe many young people feel as they do, and that bodes well for the future.
2. The American celebrities are proud of their president! Ellen DeGeneres said, “There have been moments in history when someone has the courage to stand up for what they believe in, and that one action changes everything.” Neil Patrick Harris said, “Bravo, Mr. President, and thank you.” and our pal Jane Lynch tugs on the heartstrings with, “Pretty darn happy today. Thanks Mr President, for supporting the dignity of my family and so many others!” We love you Jane! Your family is beautiful!! Read more...
Being rendered legally insignificant makes losing a loved one impossibly hard
This video shows the story of Shane Bitney Crone and Tom Bridegroom, a young California couple who started a business together, shared a mortgage and enjoyed a loving relationship. Despite these solid foundations, this tale takes a heart-wrenching turn for the worst.
Shane’s family was happy for him, but Tom’s wasn’t; when he told them about Shane, his father threatened him with a gun and his mother wanted to get him medical attention. In spite of his family’s lack of support, Tom gave Shane a promise ring. Then, something entirely unexpected happened. Read more...
Meri Perra blogs about the challenges she and her partner face in trying to raise their girls with feminist values
I found a new queer parenting column on Chicago’s LGBT news site, the Windy City Media Group by Roi Ann Phillips, a self-identified suburban, lesbian soccer mom, who debuted her column with the following question:
“What about our life is quintessentially gay?” she writes, hitting home with:
“I haven’t been an active part of the public LGBT movement in nearly eight years.”
Relate much? I do. Much of my first pregnancy was spent being a union local president, and freaking out about becoming a mom, both of which caused me to drop out of the queer scene a good nine months before our first daughter was born. I’ve been out of it nearly six years. Read more...
1. Alicia Silverstone knows that many of us don’t agree with her mama bird-baby bird feeding technique and she doesn’t care. “People have been feeding their kids that way for thousands for years. It’s a weaning process,” Silverstone told the audience at a Clueless Q&A. Firstly, there was a Cluessless Q&A with Silverstone and director Amy Heckerling?! Secondly, yeah, there are weirder things.
Meri Perra blogs about the challenges she and her partner face in trying to raise their girls with feminist values
It could be my twisted sense of humour, but sometimes the news is just, funny. Here is my round-up of queerly-themed parenting stories that I found both newsworthy and laugh-worthy this week.
1. Turns out, same sex marriages aren’t a threat to the whole institution after all
According to a website run by journalism graduate students at Northwestern University’s Medill school, gay marriages don’t ruin straight ones. Hear this out. It’s almost as though we help straight marriages. States that allow same sex marriages have the lowest divorce rates in the U.S, and same-sex couples divorce at slightly lower rates than straight folks. Read more...
4. How many words should a 2-year-old know? It varies, but there are 25 words that a researcher says all toddlers should know, including dog, milk and cookie. (We assume mom and/or dad are in there, but given that it’s entirely possibly for a 2-year-old not to know any dogs, why is that one of the key words?)
5. One-year-old baby is pretty good on the drums! (And sorry to go all concern troll and judgey, but shouldn’t he have noise-canceling/reducing headphones?
2. What do you get when you cross a Maggie Gallagher with Veruca Salt? A 14-year-old Maryland girl who asked her state legislators to vote “no” on gay marriage for her birthday . She argued it’s a choice and kids of queer parents are missing out and how dare some people challenge the definition of the word “marriage” and blah blah blah. We’re going to go out on a limb and say when this girl turns 18, she’ll meet more people, do a 180 and learn some compassion. Read more...
