Mombian has recently crossed several milestones: more than 6,000 posts, more than 1,500 items in my Database of LGBTQ Family Books, and more than 400 entries submitted to the LGBTQ Parental Names Project!
There’s nothing magical about any of these numbers, but they do offer an opportunity for me to pause and reflect. Six thousand posts is a lot of writing. It’s true that many of my earlier posts were short news items and musings, often in conversation with other blogs, before we had short-form social media. (Yes, this blog began in 2005, before Facebook and Twitter/X and their ilk.) Overall, though, and certainly more recently, my posts tend to lean into what blogs are still better at, pieces that are a little longer and more in-depth than what other social media handles well (although I still pop in the occasional short tidbit here, and am an active social media user, too). I’d like to think there’s a need for both types of content.
One major type of content that has grown here over the years is book reviews, which I compiled a few years ago into the Mombian Database of LGBTQ Family Books. As I’ve already announced, the database recently hit the milestone of 1,500 entries. More than just a booklist, the database is searchable and filterable by topic and identity, with my reviews offering further guidance. (And while about 95% of the database is books, there are also some LGBTQ-inclusive children’s music albums, toys and games, and documentaries about LGBTQ families.)
Another recent milestone is that more than 400 people have now submitted their parental names and stories to the LGBTQ Parental Names Project, which I launched way back in 2011 to collect some of the wonderful ways that we LGBTQ parents choose (or have our kids choose!) our parental titles. I encourage you to read through my summaries or the full results spreadsheet, and to submit your own parental names to this ongoing initiative. (Answers will be public, but will be anonymous unless you choose to share your real name.)
I’ve also recently reorganized the site to highlight some major themes and showcase some of the key pieces and evergreen content among the 6,000 posts:
- Starting: Where to begin? Here! With info and resources on beginning the journey to parenthood.
- Naming: What do kids call their LGBTQ parents and other key adults in their lives? Here’s the list I’ve been collecting since 2011. Add your entries!
- Raising: Caring for kids, school resources, coming out to kids, donor siblings, and more.
- Protecting: Legal information and resources on confirmatory (second-parent) adoption, surrogacy, custody, and more.
- Connecting: Profiles of LGBTQ families, plus family groups, organizations, and other ways to find community.
- Representing: Books, television, podcasts, blogs, and other ways LGBTQ families are represented.
- Researching: Demographics and social science that illuminate LGBTQ families.
- Remembering: The history of LGBTQ families is longer than you may think.
- Advocating: Speaking up for LGBTQ families and advocating for social justice.
- The Mombian Database of LGBTQ Family Books.
If you’re a long-time reader, thank you! If you’re new here, welcome! When I began this blog, my son was two, barely talking. Now he’s a junior in college, and still remains my inspiration for this work. I had no idea I would keep blogging for this long or that I would meet so many incredible other LGBTQ families, individuals, and allies along the way. Thanks to each and every one of you who have read, shared, and commented on my words, or shared your own experiences and expertise with Mombian readers and me. I am truly grateful, and I look forward to our continued journey ahead.