In 2011, a 19-year-old named Zach Wahls gave a speech to the Iowa legislature during the state’s marriage equality battles, describing his life with two moms. It went viral, catching national attention. Wahls, now a two-term Iowa state senator running for U.S. Senate, spoke with me for the speech’s 15th anniversary, looking at its impact and offering advice for parents and young people today.
When Zach Wahls was 19, his speech to the Iowa legislature about his two moms helped shift the conversation around marriage equality. Wahls, now a two-term state senator running for U.S. Senate, is marking the speech’s 15th anniversary with a Zoom event next week. I’m one of the speakers, and hope you’ll join us.
When soccer stars Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis got married last week, their baby was part of the ceremony—which feels like a good excuse to post a revised version of a piece I did many years ago about how couples (particularly queer ones) who already have kids can include them in their weddings.
November 18 marks at least five notable LGBTQ anniversaries and observances. Do you know them all? (OK, one is purely personal; it’s the “Massaversary” of when my spouse and I made it legal in Massachusetts. But even that is related to another event….)
The U.S. Supreme Court today refused to hear a case that sought to overturn marriage equality. It’s a win for love and for the children and families sheltered by that love. It doesn’t mean that the threats to marriage equality are over yet, however.
Opponents of marriage equality are clearly on the attack. I cannot predict the outcome of this fight, but I do know that we LGBTQ parents and our children were at the forefront of winning marriage equality, and must lead again in its defense.
I wrote this piece just after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized marriage equality nationwide on June 26, 2015. I want to reshare it as we approach the 10-year anniversary, as a reminder of why so many of us queer parents and our children fought for marriage—and why marriage equality alone isn’t enough.
Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). Do you know why May 17 was chosen—and what two other key civil rights events happened on the same day in different years?
A new storytelling project from Family Equality, To Have and To Hold, seeks to honor “the history and magic of LGBTQ+ unions” before, during, and after the historic fight for marriage equality. Here’s how you can be a part of this commemoration and celebration.
Do you have questions about LGBTQ marriage and family protections post-election? Join four leading LGBTQ organizations for a free briefing tomorrow, November 20, 2024!
