Like many writers, I love word games, and am eager to get a copy of the just-published fifth edition of The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, which includes more than 5000 new words. One of the new entries is the Yiddish word “schmutz” — and for those of you unclear on its meaning (hint: it’s not the same as schmuck), Judy Gold, a “comedian, actress, writer, and Jewish mother” (also a lesbian mom) is here to help you out.
A few weeks ago I posted about the new rules for Dungeons & Dragons that are explicitly inclusive of characters with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. I also promised to tell a personal story about an encounter with the people at Wizards of the Coast, the makers of D&D. Here it is.
Yep, I’m that kind of geek. I first played Dungeons & Dragons — the original edition — back in high school in the early 80s. Now my son plays. I was thrilled, therefore, to discover that the new version of D&D, which officially launches next week, is clearly and deliberately inclusive of a diverse range of gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations.
Want an LGBTQ-friendly place for your kids to spend time this summer, but worried about the costs? I’m pleased to report that CampOUT, for kids of LGBTQ parents and LGBTQ kids, is offering almost full “camperships” for the fees of many campers.
Looking for an LGBTQ-friendly place for your kids to spend time this summer, where they can not only have fun, but be themselves and talk openly about their families without fear of rude questions or harassment? Check out CampOUT, in beautiful western Massachusetts.
Want an excuse to visit the U.S. capital? Or do you live there and want to socialize with other LGBT families while being entertained by one of the funniest lesbian moms around? You’re in luck. Rainbow Families DC is holding its biennial 2014 Family Conference, “a day of learning, networking and fellowship,” on Saturday, April 26. LGBT parents, their children, family members, and prospective parents are all invited.
I was amused and touched by the summer travel wisdom over at Are You the Babysitter?, making her “Family Discoveries” my Post of the Week.
It’s my son’s last week of school before vacation, and I’m thinking about our summer plans, so I thought I’d ask the rest of you what you’re looking forward to this summer. Anyone taking any trips? Starting (or finishing) any home improvement projects? Sending the kids to camp?
Emmy Howe, my boss at my day job with the SEED Project on Inclusive Curriculum, also runs CampOUT, a summer camp for children and youth with LGBT parents. (And I thought I had a lot of projects going.) The camp is held at her farm in Conway, Mass., and Emmy says they have about 10 spots left. If you’re interested, pop over to their Web site and check them out.
I wrote the other day about Ohio mom Jennifer Tyrrell, whom the Boy Scouts expelled as den leader of her son’s Cub Scout troop because she is a lesbian. Now, her Change.org petition asking the Boy Scouts to reconsider their policy of not permitting gay Scouts or leaders has gained nearly 130,000 signatures. Tyrrell also
