What were the major advances—and setbacks—for LGBTQ families in 2022? I asked several leading experts to share their thoughts, and all agreed there had been many obstacles—but also reasons for hope.
![Photo credit: DrKontogianniIVF [CC BY 2.0]](https://i0.wp.com/mombian.com/images/ivf_purple.jpg?fit=1024%2C538&ssl=1)
A bill introduced today aims to protect access to IVF for anyone who needs it to build their family–like my spouse and I did. The bill comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn abortion rights, which many fear will lead to restrictions on other aspects of reproductive health care.
The Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) has passed the U.S. House and now heads to President Joe Biden for his signature. The RMA is important legislation that clarifies rights and protections for same-sex and interracial marriages—but does not guarantee that all states will continue to let same-sex couples marry. It also does not remove the need for many LGBTQ parents to take additional steps to secure their legal parentage.
Like many in the LGBTQ community, I am still grieving over those murdered at Club Q in Colorado Springs last month. I am also thinking about how much anti-LGBTQ rhetoric has created a climate in which such violence can germinate, and how much a purported concern over children’s well-being has played into that rhetoric. We need to reclaim the narrative of what it means to think of the children.
Today is Giving Tuesday, but I’m not going to ask you to give to any particular organizations. (There are any number of good ones to support with your time and/or money, and I hope you do.) Instead, I’ll once again share some of the ways my spouse and I have tried to show our son the importance of giving.
As the LGBTQ community collectively reels from and responds to the mass shooting in a Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub yesterday, I want to offer a few resources for those of us whose children may have fears or questions about the tragedy.
Today marks the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a time to honor the lives of those who died because of anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. I wish all of my transgender friends and readers love and support on this day of mourning.
Sixteen years ago today, my spouse and I got legally married after 13 years together—three years to the day after the ruling that made Massachusetts the first U.S. state to have marriage equality. And today, the U.S. Senate could act on a bill to ensure that our marriage will remain legal. I can’t believe that’s even in question, but here we are. It’s a propitious date, however, for even more reasons.
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote this week on the Respect for Marriage Act, which would clarify important rights and protections in the face of threats to marriage equality. Please contact your senators NOW and urge them to pass this bill. Here’s why and what to do.
Among the record-number of winning LGBTQ candidates in this year’s election are more than 50 parents, across the LGBTQ spectrum, many of whom are the first LGBTQ people to hold their offices. Let’s meet them.
