In Memoriam: Deborah Batts, First Out Gay Federal Judge
Deborah Batts, the first out LGBTQ federal judge–and also a mom—died this past Monday at the age of 72, after complications from knee replacement surgery.
in memoriam
In Memoriam: Sharon Mattes (Bottoms), Who Fought for Custody of Her Child
Sharon Mattes, known as Sharon Bottoms when she fought to overcome anti-LGBTQ bias in a legal battle for custody of her son in the 1990s—a headline case for queer parents—has died at age 48.
Tragic Killings End and Start the Year
After a queer mother, her two young children, and her partner were slain in New York in late December. comes news of two more Black, queer parents and one of their children being killed.
Groundbreaking Director of Films on Lesbian Parenting and LGBTQ Inclusion in Schools Dies at 60
Debra Chasnoff, the Academy Award-winning film director of Choosing Children, about the first generation of out lesbian moms, and a number of award-winning LGBTQ-inclusive educational films, has died at the age of 60 from breast cancer.
Edie Windsor: The Passing of a Hero
She always seemed too full of life to ever be gone from it, with her signature scarf and boundless energy—but Edie Windsor, whose case led to the first federal recognition for same-sex couples, died yesterday at the age of 88.
Remembering Julia Wagg, a Leader for LGBTQ Families
The community of LGBTQ families lost a leader in April, but her passing went almost unnoticed in the media outside of her home of Ottawa.
Air Force Officer and Lesbian Mom One of Those Killed in Afghanistan Monday
One of the six U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan Monday was the first openly lesbian active-duty U.S. servicemember to die in action. She was also a mom.
Marriage Equality in New Mexico Shows the Power of Parents — and One Mom’s Passing
New Mexico makes 17! Yesterday, the state Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of marriage equality, making 17 states, plus the District of Columbia, that allow same-sex couples to wed — eight states in 2013 alone. All of the plaintiff couples in the case are parents. But in our celebrations of the Land of Enchantment, we should take a moment to remember one mom who was fighting for marriage there while she was fighting for her life.
In Memoriam: Nelson Mandela, Hero of Human Rights
Nelson Mandela, the first Black president of South Africa, died today at the age of 95. His greatest legacy, of course, will be having led the country out of apartheid — but he also had a significant impact on LGBT equality.
In Memoriam: Jennifer Neuman-Roper, Mom and New Mexico Marriage Plaintiff
Jennifer Neuman-Roper, mother of three, spouse of Angelique Neuman-Roper, and a plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit for the right to marry in New Mexico, died Friday at age 44 of brain cancer, The Advocate reports.