The Gift of the Tomatillos: A Tale of Identity
Identity is a funny thing. Sometimes we think we will be known a certain identity, only to find out that is not the case, as a recent encounter with a neighbor reminded me.
Raising
Sandy Hook, One Year Later
I hugged my son today, thinking of those who have lost theirs. It’s been one year since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. One year — and yesterday, there was another, as a high school student in Colorado opened fire with a shotgun and incendiary devices and critically injured a fellow student.
Federal Financial Aid Forms to Recognize Married Same-Sex Parents
The U.S. Department of Education announced today that it will recognize a student or a parent as legally married if they were legally married in any jurisdiction that recognizes the marriage, regardless of the gender of the spouses, where they live, or where they are attending school.
U.S. Customs Changes Will Benefit Same-Sex Couples, their Children, and Taxpayers
Ever get annoyed when you return to the U.S. from abroad with your same-sex sweetie and kids and have to fill out two customs forms because your family relationship wasn’t recognized? As of January, that will be no more. U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that it is expanding its definition of family to include same-sex couples and their children, even if the couple is not legally married or if the parent is not related by blood or adoption to the children.
Watch: Homecoming for a Military Mom with Her Partner and their Daughter
Cynthia is a U.S. Air Force officer who was stationed in Afghanistan for seven months. Watch this great video of her homecoming with her partner Karissa and their infant daughter. It’s sure to put a smile on your face.
Talk with Iron Chef Cat Cora on Wednesday
Cat Cora, chef, entrepreneur, and lesbian mom, will be on Residence Inn’s Family Travel Talk Forum this Wednesday evening to talk travel, cooking, and more. Everyone’s invited to join in and ask questions!
Unilever’s “Why Bring a Child Into the World?” Series Features Lesbian Moms-to-Be
Jessica and Maria are having a baby — and have made a video talking about why they want to bring a child into the world despite food shortages, overpopulation, war, and other large-scale challenges. The video is part of Unilever’s Project Sunlight, “a new initiative to inspire sustainable living.” It “invites consumers to get involved in doing small things which help their own families, others around the world and the planet.”
Breastfeeding: One Lesbian Mom’s Experience
Whether you’ve breast fed, bottle fed, or adopted kids after they were weaned, you should go read “Failing at Feeding” over at Brain, Child. In it, writer Paige Schilt offers some excellent thoughts on maternal stereotypes and expectations, being the lone lesbian in a mothers’ support group, and the physical and emotional toll of having difficulties with breastfeeding.
Give Back on Giving Tuesday
Today is Giving Tuesday, a new-ish, more altruistic counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when we’re asked to give back to our communities and our world. Will you be giving (monetarily or otherwise) today or at other times during this holiday season?
Actor Maria Bello Comes Out to Her Son — and the World
If you read just one piece today, make it “Coming Out as a Modern Family,” by actor and activist Maria Bello (ER, Coyote Ugly, The Jane Austen Book Club, Prisoners, and the unfortunately short-lived U.S. version of Prime Suspect, among others). Bello writes in the New York Times about her relationship with another woman, coming out to her son, and why she refuses to put a label on her love.