Haiku for the Supreme Court
It’s National Poetry Month, and in its honor, I’ve composed two haiku to the highest court in the land.
Politics and Law
Anti-Gay or Anti-Miscegenation?
Amid the wave of marriage equality news and posts this week, this one from Mediaite stood out for me for the way it cleverly shows the similarities between anti-gay and anti-miscegenation quotes. Here’s another scary quote on the same theme, related to children’s books.
An Answer for Justice Alito: Look to the Past
At yesterday’s U. S. Supreme Court hearing on marriage equality, Justice Samuel Alito asked, “But you want us to step in and render a decision based on an assessment of the effects of this institution [same-sex marriage] which is newer than cell phones or the Internet? I mean we—we are not—we do not have the ability to see the future.” I have an answer for him.
Children of Same-Sex Parents Speak Out for Equality
Children and adults with same-sex parents have been in the headlines lately by speaking up for marriage equality, making their voices heard all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. We parents should be proud—but should also keep some things in mind before our children make public statements about our families.
Sixth-Grader Testifies for Family at Rhode Island Marriage Equality Hearing
Marriage equality will be the issue of the week, with the U.S. Supreme Court hearing two cases on the matter Tuesday and Wednesday. Let’s get into the swing of things with this video of sixth-grader Matthew Lannon, who lives with his two moms, two dads, and sister in Rhode Island, testifying at that state’s Senate hearing on marriage equality last Thursday.
A Good Day: Support Growing for Same-Sex Parents; Moms Challenge in New Mexico
Yesterday was a day of good news, with a new study showing growing support for same-sex parents, a major medical organization stating that marriage equality benefits children, and three moms and a stepmom (two of whom are also grandmothers) filing a suit for marriage equality in New Mexico.
Helen and I Celebrate 20 Happy (but Not Legal) Years Together
My spouse Helen and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary in about a week. Coincidentally, the U.S. Supreme Court will be hearing two cases on marriage equality at the same time. I’m hoping our happy anniversary vibes will sway them.
Hillary Clinton Says Parenthood Influenced Her Support for Marriage Equality
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton finally announced her support for marriage equality yesterday in a video for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). She not only cited her experience fighting for LGBT rights around the world, but also commented, “Like so many others, my personal views have been shaped over time, by people I have known and loved” —including her daughter, Chelsea.
Good News Friday
I could talk about the fact that the new pope called adoption by gay parents a form of “discrimination against children.” But are we really surprised by this? I could talk about how the National Organization for Marriage insulted adoptive parents of all types (including U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts) as well as same-sex parents. Again: It’s NOM. Are we surprised? But the next couple of weeks are going to be full of perturbing marriage- and parenting-related news, I’m sure, as the U.S. Supreme Court gets set to hear two marriage equality cases on March 26. I’ve chosen, therefore, to highlight some of the positive news of the week for LGBT families. Have a great weekend, all!
Colorado Passes Civil Unions Bill; Lesbian Moms Again in Spotlight
The Colorado House followed the state Senate yesterday in passing a civil unions bill, which the governor has said he will sign. An AP photo of lesbian moms Fran and Anna Simon tops the CBS News report on the occasion; and a photo of the Simons and their son is part of this gallery at HuffPo.