Politics and Law

#ReadWithLove

I’m Proud to #ReadWithLove on #ReadAcrossAmericaDay

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.

School bus

“Don’t Say Gay” and Other Gag Bills Will Harm Children Across the U.S.

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.

Texas flag

Texas Gov Calls Gender-Affirming Medical Care “Child Abuse”; Orders Investigation of Parents

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has told the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to investigate parents of transgender children who give them access to doctor-prescribed, gender-affirming medical care—which he calls “child abuse.” This abhorrent act ignores legitimate science on the matter and will in fact endanger children’s lives and well-being.

Florida flag and rainbow

Biden Expresses Support for LGBTQI+ Youth; Condemns Florida “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

A Florida Senate committee passed a bill this week that would quash discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms and could out LGBTQ students to parents. President Biden quickly condemned it and expressed his support for LGBTQI+ youth. Here’s what’s happening, and how you can help fight this bill, too.

Michigan Reaffirms Support for LGBTQ Families Even as Legal Settlement Allows Discrimination in Foster Care and Adoption

The state of Michigan must continue contracting with child service agencies that discriminate against same-sex couples, according to the settlement this week of a long-running case whose outcome rested on a 2021 U.S. Supreme Court decision. The state’s Children’s Services Agency nevertheless reaffirmed its commitment to supporting LGBTQ people who want to foster or adopt or are already doing so.

Hands Touching Fingers

Jewish Couple Sues Tennessee for Discrimination in Adoption (and Why All Queer People Should Care)

A husband and wife in Tennessee are suing the state, saying that a state-funded foster care and adoption program turned them away because they are Jewish. To the best of my knowledge, neither is queer, so why am I writing about this on a queer website? Because discrimination in foster care and adoption is a very queer issue, and there is federal legislation pending that could end it for everyone, queer and otherwise.

Looking Ahead to 2022 for LGBTQ Families

LGBTQ Families in 2022: “Creating the Kind of World We Want for Our Children”

In my recent “2021 Year in Review for LGBTQ Families,” I looked at what experts at some of the leading organizations fighting for LGBTQ families thought were the biggest wins and setbacks for our families in the past year. Now, they share what they see as our key legal and political goals for 2022 and what we must do to achieve them.

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