January 2013

Lesbian Mom Named Fort Bragg “Military Spouse of the Year”

I wrote in December about Ashley Broadway, the legally wed spouse of Army Lieutenant Colonel Heather Mack, who was told by the Officers’ Spouse Club (OSC) at Fort Bragg in North Carolina that she did not qualify to be a member. After pressure from the American Military Partner Association and OutServe-SLDN, however, the club (a private organization affiliated with the base) changed its mind and offered her full membership last Friday—just hours after she was named the Fort Bragg “Military Spouse of the Year” in a contest run by Military Spouse magazine.

We’re All In This Together

I was thrilled to see that the same book won the American Library Association’s top honors Monday for both the LGBT- and Latino-related children’s book awards, proving that one book can address multiple aspects of identity (and countering the prevalent media impression that the LGBT community is predominantly White). It just so happens, too, that the intersecting of identities is a major theme in LGBT politics this week.

Pro Basketball Star with Two Moms Delights Kid with Two Moms

I posted Monday about basketball star Kenneth Faried of the Denver Nuggets, who spoke out on behalf of his two moms and in favor of civil unions (and marriage equality) in Colorado. That’s cool—but it turns out he’s even cooler. Reader Fran Simon, who is herself working to help pass the civil union bill, sent me a fun story about her family meeting Faried. I’m sharing it here, with her permission.

Basketball Star Speaks Out for Two Mothers, Marriage

Basketball star Kenneth Faried of the Denver Nuggets has two moms, as we found out a couple of years ago. He recently made a video with them for One Colorado, the state LGBT advocacy group that is leading the fight for civil unions in that state. “Nobody can ever tell me I can’t have two mothers, because I really do,” he said. Watch:

Rhode Island One Step Closer to Marriage Equality

As a New Englander bred, I was delighted today to see the Rhode Island House pass a marriage equality bill 51-19. The Senate must vote on it next. If passed, Gov. Lincoln Chafee (I) has promised to sign it.

Speech Bubble

Bias and the “S” Word

My spouse and I have tried to teach our nine-year-old son to use respectful language, and to model it ourselves. Melanie Coffee’s recent piece at HuffPo on “Talking About Martin Luther King Jr. and Race With My Biracial 5-Year-Old” struck a chord with me, however, because she’s made the same exception that I have. In trying to explain racial bias to her son, Coffee says, she used “the six-lettered s-word in our home that is considered profane”—”stupid.”

Inaugural Words

Did you hear or read Richard Blanco’s inaugural poem, “One Today”? I’ve been rereading it and marveling at its peaceful message of inclusivity; the balance of personal experience and sweeping view; the message of hope.

Why I’m Writing a Blog for Choice

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which also makes it the annual Blog for Choice day. The organizers have asked us to share our stories about why we are pro-choice. Here’s mine.

See You at Creating Change In Atlanta?

I’m so excited. I’m heading off this week to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Creating Change conference for the first time while my spouse holds down the fort at home. If any of you are going, too, please feel free to drop me a note so we can say hi and plot a lesbian mom takeover of the universe.

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