Politics and Law Archives - Page 33 of 201

In the Wake of Violence Yet Again

August 5, 2019

I have written about far too many mass shootings in the United States since I started this blog 14 years ago. I feel like I am repeating myself when I post about my fears—for my son, for all our children, for all of the children who will grow up without one or more parents lost to gun violence. When we tire of talking about it, however, we give the victory to those who support lax gun regulations or who use gun violence to express hatred and bigotry. Forgive me some repetition, therefore.

Derek Mize, Jonathan Gregg, and daughter Simone Mize-Gregg. Photo credit: Lambda Legal

Dads’ Battle for Daughter’s Citizenship Shows that Marriage Equality Fight in U.S. Is Not Over

July 23, 2019

A married same-sex couple is suing the U.S. State Department for refusing to recognize the U.S. citizenship of their child despite the fact that both parents are U.S. citizens.

Parent-child hands. Photo by Aditya Romansa on Unsplash

Connecticut and Oregon Enact Paid Family Leave Laws that Let Employees Define Their Own Families

July 2, 2019

Connecticut and Oregon each enacted laws in June that extend paid family leave with broad definitions of who’s in a family, among other new provisions.

Parentage Bills to Help LGBTQ Families and Others Fail in New York, Rhode Island

June 27, 2019

It’s been a disappointing few days for legislation that would have helped LGBTQ families, as bills that would have more effectively protected families formed through assisted reproduction failed in both New York and Rhode Island.

Oklahoma Supreme Court: Nonbiological Parents Have “Complete Parity”

June 26, 2019

The Oklahoma Supreme Court not only ruled in favor of a nonbiological mother in a child custody case yesterday, but established guidelines for future cases, writing conclusively that “A non-biological same-sex parent stands in parity with a biological parent.”

New York Bill Would Protect All Children Born Through Assisted Reproduction and Legalize Surrogacy

June 11, 2019

New York State, where the Stonewall Riots accelerated the LGBTQ rights movement, is in many ways one of the most LGBTQ-friendly states around. Yet the state’s laws do not yet effectively protect families created through assisted reproductive technologies. That could change very soon.

Reintroduced Bill to End Adoption and Foster Care Discrimination Does Much More than Before

June 5, 2019

For the sixth Congress in a row, the Every Child Deserves a Family Act (ECDF) has been introduced in an attempt to ensure that no child lacks for a home because of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or religion. This year’s version of the bill goes even further, however, offering new protections and resources.

Trump Administration Plans to Allow Discrimination in Adoption and Foster Care: Here’s What You Can Do

May 28, 2019

It’s only surprising if you weren’t paying attention. The Trump administration let slip last week that they are considering two paths to allowing discrimination against LGBTQ people and others in adoption and foster care, following up on what they’ve intended for a long time.

Memorial Day: Remembering the Fallen

May 27, 2019

This Memorial Day, may we spare a thought for all those who have given their lives in service to our country, including service members who were LGBTQ.

A Day of Wins: Equality Act Passes House; Taiwan Approves Same-Sex Marriage (but Not Full Adoption Rights)

May 17, 2019

Not only does today mark the 15th anniversary of the landmark decision that first brought marriage equality to a U.S. state, and the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, but it will now also be known as the day a comprehensive, federal LGBTQ civil rights bill first passed a chamber of the U.S. Congress and the day that Taiwan legalized marriage for same-sex couples—the first country in Asia to do so. Progress to celebrate—but there is further to go, as the Equality Act faces a tougher battle in the Senate, and same-sex couples in Taiwan still will not have equal adoption rights.