Let’s round up some LGBTQ parenting stories I haven’t covered elsewhere—have a read and see what’s happening!
Politics and Law
- A U.S. federal lawsuit is challenging a Veteran’s Administration policy that says the VA will only cover IVF if the infertility is from a “service-related condition” (which eliminates people with social infertility, like many LGBTQ folks) and if the person is married.
- Dr. Jake Kleinmahon told the Advocate that he, his husband, and their two children are leaving their home in Louisiana because of the state’s anti-LGBTQ bills. Kleinmahon was director of the only pediatric heart transplant center in Louisiana, and his departure leaves the state with only two other pediatric heart transplant cardiologists, the magazine reported.
- Illinois has become a destination for families fleeing Florida, Missouri, and other states with anti-LGBTQ, particularly anti-trans, laws, reports Chalkbeat Chicago.
- Israel’s Welfare Minister Yaakov Mergi rejected a legal opinion by Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara advising the High Court of Justice that it could interpret Israel’s adoption law to allow same-sex couples to adopt children, reported the Jerusalem Post. Grown children of LGBTQ parents spoke out against Mergi’s rejection; one said, “We invite the minister to get to know us and our families, and to hear the voice of the children he is talking about.”
Parenting (or Choosing Not to)
- Jálynn Castleman-Smith wrote at Autostraddle about “Things They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a Non-Carrying, Queer Mom.” (For more such things, see the books tagged “Nonbiological/nongestational parents” in my database.)
- Trans women can and do breastfeed, as PinkNews explains.
- Tegan Quin of of music duo Tegan and Sara wrote on Instagram recently that ever since her twin Sara became a mother, people have been asking her (Tegan) if she wants a child, too. She responded thoughtfully about why “Being the cool aunt is more than enough for me.” That’s a decision I can respect. Although I chose to become a parent, I believe that far too many people have kids because they feel it’s expected of them, even if they don’t want to, and that’s not good for either kids or parents.
Books and Media
- Bookriot included Heather Has Two Mommies, Lesléa Newman’s classic 1989 picture book, in its list of “The 20 Most Influential Picture Books of All Time.”
- The Miami New Times profiled author and illustrator Michael Willhoite, whose 1990 book Daddy’s Roommate was one of the first picture books to show LGBTQ parents and their child. It was also one of the first to be banned—and has just been again, by the Miami-Dade County school district in Florida.
