Politics and Law

Every Child Deserves a Family Act

Federal Bill to End Adoption and Foster Care Discrimination Introduced for 7th Time

A federal bill has just been reintroduced that would prohibit discrimination in foster care and adoption on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or religion. The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act (ECDF) is named for the civil rights leader and congressman who was an original co-sponsor the previous six times the bill was introduced. Might it pass this seventh time through Congress?

Children in Silhouette

Connecticut Senate Unanimously Approves Bill Updating Parentage Laws to Protect Children of All Families

The Connecticut Senate last night unanimously passed the Connecticut Parentage Act (CPA), landmark legislation to update the state’s laws and better protect all children, regardless of the circumstances of their birth or the marital status, gender, or sexual orientation of their parents. Among other things, it gives nonbiological/nongestational parents a simpler way to establish a legal parent-child relationship, without a home study or court hearing. The bill passed the House last month and now goes to Governor Ned Lamont (D) for signing.

Photo credit: Zaccari-Blixt family / Immigration Equality

State Department Ends Policy that Denied Citizenship to Children of Married Same-Sex Parents

In a significant victory for equality this week, the U.S. State Department has ended a policy that had denied birthright citizenship to children born abroad to married same-sex parents born abroad if the U.S. citizen parent was not biologically related. This also ends years of uncertainty for at least one two-mom couple who have been fighting for their child’s citizenship.

Flag of Croatia

Croatian Court Rules That Same-Sex Couples Can Apply to Adopt

A Croatian court has ruled that same-sex couples in civil partnerships may apply to become adoptive parents, and must be treated the same as different-sex married couples during the assessment process. The country’s LGBTQ family group calls it an “historic verdict.”

Kierra Johnson, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force. Photo credit: Todd Franson

The Task Force’s Kierra Johnson on Motherhood and More

Kierra Johnson, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, is also the mother of three. She spoke with me for Mother’s Day about her experiences as a parent in “a big fat queer blended family,” her advice for other queer parents, and how being a parent has impacted her work.

Connecticut Flag

Connecticut House Passes Bill to Update State’s Parentage Laws with Strong Bipartisan Support

The Connecticut House of Representatives today passed the Connecticut Parentage Act (CPA) 141-1, with many Republicans joining Democratic colleagues to speak out in strong support of the bill. The landmark legislation would update the state’s laws to better protect all children, regardless of the circumstances of their birth or the marital status, gender, or sexual orientation of their parents.

DOJ - Bostock quote

DOJ Affirms Protections for Transgender and Other LGBTQ Youth (+ Two Other Wins for Trans Youth)

While the current legislative season is seeing a horrifying record number of anti-transgender bills, there were three wins this week: the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a memo affirming that Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation, contrary to what the Trump administration had said; the governor of Arkansas vetoed a bill that would have prevented transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming medication or surgery; and the NCAA president has spoken in support of transgender youth in sports.

Tennessee flag

Tennessee Bill Would Ban Mention of LGBTQ People in School Curriculum

A bill introduced in both houses of the Tennessee Legislature would prohibit public schools from using textbooks or instructional materials “that promote, normalize, support, or address lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) issues or lifestyles.”

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