Halloween is almost here, which for many of us means trips to the store to purchase overpriced costumes or hours spent sewing and hot-gluing homemade versions, both for our kids and for ourselves. October is also, however, LGBTQ History Month and the month of National Coming Out Day, making Halloween’s topics of heroes and hidden identities relevant in multiple ways. Here are some things that Halloween offers to support and sustain our multifaceted queer selves.
It’s Spirit Day, GLAAD’s annual event to speak out against anti-LGBTQ bullying and stand with LGBTQ youth, who disproportionately face bullying and harassment. At a time when our nation’s leader is setting an example of how to bully, events like these—and the actions they can inspire all year long—are more critical than ever before.
Our country feels very different than it did a year ago on the last National Coming Out Day, when the prospect of an LGBTQ-friendly president was still possible. Now, however, the day feels even more like a time for activism and resistance.
Best wishes today to all who identify as fathers, have or had fathers, or use Father’s Day to celebrate any parent, donor, or other important person in your family! Here’s a roundup of some dad stories for your special day.
Did you know that May 17 marks three key events in the history of civil rights?
Can you name them?
Many are questioning the Trump administration’s preparation (or lack thereof) for the venerable White House Easter Egg roll, a 139-year-old tradition—and one that has recently been a place of visibility for LGBTQ families, mine included.
Love may not be all we need, John Lennon notwithstanding, but it’s a start. My own spouse is overseas on business today, but as this is the 24th Valentine’s Day we’ve spent together, we both know that our love transcends a single day. Love, in fact, transcends a whole lot.
Once again, for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I’m posting a revised and expanded list of resources for talking with kids about the holiday and about race and racism in general.
The holidays my family celebrates may stem from different traditions, but share a theme of hope and of light in the darkness. That message seems particularly poignant right now as we head into a year that ushers in a new federal administration and an era of uncertainty for LGBTQ people and our families.
A very happy New Year to all of you and your families as we enter 2017!
May we find joy and love with our families and friends to give us strength, come what may.
