August 2008

Another Olympic Mom: Hero or Not?

I was excited yesterday to watch Melanie Roach, a U.S. weightlifter in the 53-kilo (117-pound) category, set a new American record and come in sixth in her competition. Roach is the mother of three, and returning to competition after a five-year break and a herniated disk that required surgery. One of her sons was also […]

You Thought Torres’ Age Was Impressive?

Olympian and mother Oksana Chusovitina is 33, a far cry from Dara Torres’ 41. I’m almost more impressed by her than by Torres, however, because she’s competing in gymnastics. That’s right, gymnastics, where most athletes hover around the 16-year-old minimum and there are rumors of some sneaking in at younger ages. This is the fifth

Dara Torres Is Not a Lesbian

A public-service announcement for the many of you who are finding this site today after doing a search for: “Is Dara Torres a lesbian?” Nope, she’s not. She is twice divorced from men, and now lives with David Hoffman, a reproductive endocrinologist, masters swimmer, and father of her child. Yeah, I’m disappointed, too, but hey.

Dara Torres Credits Daughter for Comeback

Dara Torres, at 41 years old, just won her 10th career Olympic medal, a silver in the women’s 400m freestyle relay. She anchored her teammates Natalie Coughlin, Lacey Nymeyer, and Kara-Lynn Joyce, but went into her leg facing a time deficit she could not make up for gold. She is an amazing athlete, and news

Weekly Political Roundup

Why is the military prepared to shell out $150,000 in retention bonuses to service members who are proficient in Arabic, when it has used the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy to dismiss more than five dozen qualified and willing Arabic speakers? Steve Ralls, PFLAG’s director of communications, who also held that role for the Servicemembers

Cinderella’s Gay Blades

A modernized version of Cinderella by the Russian-based Imperial Ice Stars caused controversy in Australia Tuesday when “two male characters share a romantic scene together on the ice.” And no, one of them isn’t the fairy godmother. They’re just a couple of guys at the ball. Artistic director Tony Mercer said, “I don’t think there

“She Got Me Pregnant”: Episode 38

This week, Helen and I bring you the Olympics with a parenting perspective. We pay proper homage to Dara Torres, Olympic swimmer and mom, and discuss how another Olympic mother-athlete is helping top competitors balance training and motherhood. On a more personal level, we explain why and how we’re exposing our son to different sports,

Obama Builds LGBT Family Expertise

Senators Obama and McCain have very different views of LGBT families, as I mentioned Monday. Yesterday, I received an e-mail from Obama’s campaign about the expansion of his LGBT leadership team. It only adds to his status as the candidate committed to LGBT families. There will be five new national co-chairs of Obama Pride, which

Olympic Thread

The Olympics start this Friday. It’s the one time when we have the TV on ’round the clock here. There’s nothing I won’t watch, and I have a particular fondness for the sports that aren’t often televised. I thought I’d start a thread for folks to offer their thoughts on any or all of the

Book Giveaway: Love Tips and Trips

It’s all to easy, it seems to me, for us parents to become focused on our kids to the detriment of our own relationships. Today’s giveaway just may help remedy that. Michele O’Mara (who blogs at Bilerico) is an award-winning therapist, educator, and author based in Indianapolis who specializes in “the social support and personal

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