A Colorado Senate committee today unanimously passed a bill that would simplify the process for obtaining critical confirmatory (second-parent) adoptions and ensure same-sex parents have access to them—because as recent examples show, this isn’t always guaranteed.
I’m delighted to be part of a virtual panel on March 24th discussing the legal climate for queer and trans mothers, hosted by Our Family Coalition in partnership with the National Center for Lesbian Rights. I hope you’ll join us!
Hungary’s highest court has ruled that it was illegal for the county of Pest to fine a bookstore chain for selling a queer-inclusive children’s book without a warning label—but that doesn’t mean the country is free of anti-LGBTQ censorship.
A new report has found that more than 80 percent of the young people in the U.S.—59 million of them—live in states that have recently considered bills to censor discussions of race and LGBTQ people in schools or that would otherwise create hostile school climates, especially for LGBTQ youth.
Here’s the latest roundup of LGBTQ parenting news I haven’t covered elsewhere, with important progress in several countries, sports stars growing their families, and a major win for a queer-led family film!
Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill has passed the state Senate and will almost certainly be signed into law. Bills are moving forward in Idaho and Alabama that would make providing gender-affirming care to minors a felony. And these are only three of a growing number of states that have passed or are trying to pass such repressive laws. How can we address this onslaught against LGBTQ children and youth?
The Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA) would ensure that all children in the state, including those with LGBTQ parents, have equal access to the protections of legal parentage. While it had a hearing last November and has strong support, it still needs a push to become law, said advocates of the bill at a panel today.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has issued guidance stating that it is illegal to deny minors gender affirming care when “medically appropriate and necessary,” and directing the HHS Office for Civil Rights to investigate violations of the applicable laws.
I launched my Mombian Database of LGBTQ Family Books, Media, and More because I’ve seen the power that representation can have, both in my own family and with other LGBTQ families and LGBTQ youth. That’s why I’m also proud to join PFLAG in their new #ReadWithLove campaign supporting the freedom to learn for all students. Here’s a roundup of some pieces I’ve written recently on the topic, and a bit more about the campaign.
A bill that just passed its final legislative committee hearing in Florida and now heads to the floor could soon squash all discussion of LGBTQ identities in schools—but Florida is not the only state pushing for such legislation. The attempt to remove content and discussion about LGBTQ and other marginalized identities from classrooms is a nationwide epidemic that must be stopped.
