Many queer parents and allies turned out at a Rhode Island House hearing last week to testify in support of two bills that would make it easier for parents of any gender, married or not, to establish legal parentage of a child born through assisted reproduction and to streamline the process of second-parent adoptions.
Two foster care and adoption agencies were violating Michigan’s nondiscrimination laws by refusing to work with same-sex couples, per the settlement of a case announced today by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Connecticut’s newest “Kid Governor”—chosen by fifth graders last November as part of a statewide civics program—is 11-year-old Ella Briggs, who’s proudly lesbian and ran on a platform of LGBTQ Youth Safety. The Connecticut Mirror just did a nice profile and video of her, so have a look and meet one of the young LGBTQ leaders making change today.
Who’s in your family? What’s going well for LGBTQ families where you live? Where would you like to see growth and progress? Family Equality Council and COLAGE have launched their annual Community Needs Survey, and they want to hear from you (and your kids)! (You could also win an Amazon gift card for participating.)
It’s legal to discriminate against LGBTQ parents, Jewish parents, and others in adoption and foster care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Just claim that serving them goes against your religious beliefs. A coalition of LGBTQ, civil rights, child welfare, and faith organizations is fighting this, however—but they need your stories to help change hearts and minds at an upcoming Congressional hearing.
A slew of bills in the Tennessee Legislature target LGBTQ individuals and their children, as well as children in need of homes, in an onslaught of hate and discrimination.
Samsung isn’t the only company to be portraying same-sex parents in its ads lately. AT&T this month released an ad touting the idea that “just OK is not OK” in either babysitters or wireless networks—and the parents dealing with the babysitter in question just happen to be two dads.
People and families come in many forms, as any LGBTQ person can attest. Now, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) is using that concept to improve upon its already LGBTQ-inclusive employee benefits. The FORTUNE 100 company, which has approximately 7,500 employees around the country, is rolling out new benefits around leave, gender affirmation, family creation, and more that empower all employees and demonstrate a deep understanding of LGBTQ people’s lives.
During tonight’s Academy Awards, Samsung aired a commercial that includes two women, one of whom is pregnant, lying in bed viewing an ultrasound on their phone. Watch it here.
A federal judge in Los Angeles ruled yesterday that the son of two married men, one a U.S. citizen and one an Israeli citizen, must be recognized as a U.S. citizen like his twin brother. But the ruling does not change a State Department policy that will allow continued discrimination against same-sex couples and their children.
