Mombian Monthly Recap — February
February always seems to fly by for me. In case it does for you, too, and you’ve missed some Mombian posts, I thought I’d recap some of my favorites.
Raising
Same-Sex Spouses Can Now Take FMLA Leave in All States
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that married same-sex spouses who are otherwise eligible will be able to take time off to care for each other under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), even if they don’t live in states that recognize their marriage. But same-sex parents should know one more thing about FMLA.
Watch: Story of One of First Gay Men to Adopt in U.S.
NPR’s excellent StoryCorps program last week ran a segment on Bill Jones, one of the first single men–and gay men–to adopt a child in the U.S. There’s even more to know about this pioneering gay dad, however.
Doctor Refuses to Care for Lesbian Moms’ Baby
File this under “despicable.” A two-mom couple in Michigan says the pediatrician they had selected to care for their newborn daughter has refused because they are lesbians.
An HRC Sticker and a Mistaken Identity
Here’s a funny story about an HRC sticker and a case of mistaken identity.
Denying LGBTQ Identities in Death
My mother recently died from cancer, and so end-of-life issues are much on my mind. As a straight, cisgender woman, she will be buried next to my father under a common gravestone, with the name she prefers. Our family will honor both her individual identity and the life she and my father created together. Not all LGBTQ people can expect the same, however, as several recent incidents have reminded us.
Stories of Those with LGBTQ Parents Around the World
Check out these great stories–written and audio–of people from around the world who grew up with LGBTQ parents.
What Do Kids Call their Same-Sex Parents?
Chances are, if you’re a parent in a same-sex relationship, you’ve been asked “What do your kids call you?” If you’re a prospective parent, you may have asked it of yourself. Sometimes it’s for informational purposes—as when a teacher needs to know how to refer to you—sometimes it’s just nosy, as if the person can’t imagine how having two moms doesn’t confuse a kid. Here’s what I’ve discovered—with help from many of you.
Is Queer-Inclusive Similac Ad Still Exclusive?
On the face of it, Similac’s new ad, “The Mother ‘Hood,” is one of the most queer-inclusive ads I’ve seen recently, with both two-dad and two-mom families, including women who are rocking a clearly queer aesthetic. But does it exclude as well?
Lesléa Newman’s Journey Through her Mother’s Cancer
Sometimes, a book comes along at just the right time. My mother was diagnosed with lung, bone, and brain cancer on December 23, just days after I received a copy of Lesléa Newman’s new book of poetry about her own journey through her mother’s illness and death from cancer.