Diverse Family Emojis Don’t Go Far Enough
Apple has just introduced families with same-sex parents, along with a variety of skin tones, to its emojis for messages and e-mails. That’s great. The problem? Those two features are mutually exclusive.
Selves and Identities
LGBTQ Rights and Visibility: Good for One, Good for All
Transgender teen Jazz Jennings is not only getting a show about her life on TLC, but will also be featured in an ad campaign for a major beauty brand. Here’s why this matters to all of us, trans- and cisgender alike.
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.
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.
20/20 to Feature Transgender Couple and their Kids Tonight
ABC News’ 20/20 tonight will feature the story of Nick and Bianca Bowser, a transgender couple raising their sons in Louisville, Kentucky.
Helping Religious Parents Understand their LGBTQ Children
Much has been written in the past few weeks about the suicide of transgender teen Leelah Alcorn and her plea that we “fix society” to stop transgender people from dying by suicide. That’s not an easy request, although it is a necessary one. One social worker and researcher has some ideas for addressing at least one part of the problem.
Androgynous Maternity Clothing for Butches and Others
Three years ago, a reader asked, “Where can you find pregnant butch clothing?” and many of you offered your home-grown ideas. Now, one company — founded by two butches — hopes to fill this need, with “The first androgynous maternity line for queer individuals.”
Explaining “Transgender” to Kids
What does it mean to be transgender, and how can we explain that in a way that kids will understand? Chris Edwards, a transgender man, offered his answer in last Sunday’s Boston Globe Magazine.
Facing Injustice for Eric Garner
I’m furious today and thinking about race. Barely a week after a grand jury in Missouri refused to indict a White police officer in the shooting death of a Black teen, a grand jury in New York refused to indict a White police officer in the choking death of Eric Garner, a Black man and father of six.
Peter Pan: My First Lesbian Role Model
NBC is devoting its primetime block this Thursday night to a live production of Peter Pan. I’m excited—Peter Pan was my first lesbian role model.