Raising Archives - Page 26 of 297

American Girl “Girl of the Year” Doll’s Aunts Are a Same-Sex Couple, Delighting Many (and Outraging Some)

February 3, 2021

Mattel’s powerhouse American Doll brand recently announced its 2021 “Girl of the Year” doll: 10-year-old Kira, who loves animals. In further backstory from an associated book and video, we discover that Kira is spending the summer at the wildlife sanctuary run by her two Australian aunts, a married same-sex couple. Such representation is much needed, though some vocal homophobes are giving the book one-star reviews.

Bernie’s Mittens Were Made by a Queer Mom

January 22, 2021

Senator Bernie Sanders’ wooly mittens, which he wore to the inauguration, have been taking the Internet by storm. The woman behind them is a second-grade teacher in Vermont—who just happens to be a queer mom!

For Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 18, 2021

Let’s just give Dr. King the floor today:

DeVos’ Department of Education Says Transgender Students Not Protected; Must Be Treated According to Biological Sex

January 14, 2021

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos made sure she struck one more time at LGBTQ youth as she stepped down last week, with her department issuing a memo saying that “gender identity” was not protected under laws that ban discrimination on the basis of sex, and that schools are within their rights to misgender transgender students and force them to participate in programs and use facilities based on their biological sex.

Looking Ahead to 2021

January 4, 2021

After a year like 2020, how does one approach 2021? With low expectations, since anything would be better than 2020, or with high, since we feel we deserve a little recompense for the year gone by?

What Queer Parents Can Teach All Families

December 23, 2020

In an article for the Boston Globe this past weekend, a queer mom reflects on talking with her daughter about her family structure and donor siblings, as well as the lessons this holds not only for her but for families of all types.

Two Picture Books Offer Joyous Portrayals of Black Trans Kids and Supportive Families

December 22, 2020

I’m continuing to wrap up the LGBTQ-inclusive kids’ book reviews for the year, so here are two recent titles that share the stories of Black transgender children—one a girl and one a boy—and their supportive families.

NBJC - Cartoon Network Gender Identity Comic

Cartoon Network and National Black Justice Coalition Launch Comic Strip Celebrating Gender Diversity

December 16, 2020

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and Cartoon Network have launched a cheery new comic starring Cartoon Network characters that highlights the power and importance of respecting gender identity through the use of pronouns.

World AIDS Day 2020: Parents and Children

December 1, 2020

Today is World AIDS Day, and even while another pandemic takes the headlines, HIV/AIDS continues to shatter lives, families, and communities. I’m therefore continuing my tradition of sharing stories and statistics about parents and children with HIV/AIDS.

2020 Holiday Gift Guide to LGBTQ-Inclusive Kids’ Books and Music

November 30, 2020

One of the few bright spots of 2020 was the number of new LGBTQ-inclusive children’s books. Here’s my annual list of picture books and a few select middle grade titles that caught my eye, plus queer-inclusive kids’ music albums—and some titles for and about us LGBTQ parents.