LGBTQ Parenting Roundup
Catch up on some news for and about queer parents that I haven’t covered already! We’ve got family news, political moves, science, and some big events for LGBTQ families!
massachusetts
Massachusetts Parentage Act Reintroduced to Protect Children in LGBTQ Families and Beyond
Massachusetts, which led the nation in marriage equality, has fallen behind in updating its parentage laws to protect the children of LGBTQ parents and others regardless of the circumstances of their birth. A bill has just been reintroduced to change that. Here’s how you can help it succeed.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey Shares About Partner and Kids in Her Life
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D) has long been open about being a lesbian, but quiet about her private life—and now, has just shared that she has a partner who has two kids.
November 18: the Queerest of Days
Sixteen years ago today, my spouse and I got legally married after 13 years together—three years to the day after the ruling that made Massachusetts the first U.S. state to have marriage equality. And today, the U.S. Senate could act on a bill to ensure that our marriage will remain legal. I can’t believe that’s even in question, but here we are. It’s a propitious date, however, for even more reasons.
A Motorcycle Mom — and Her Fight for Equal Parentage
The New York Times just published an article about J. Shia, owner of a vintage motorcycle repair shop in Boston. If you recognize her name, that might be because this motorcycle builder, artist, and queer mom has also been fighting for the right to equal, legal parentage—a right that a pending bill could help ensure.
Massachusetts Parentage Act Faces Deadline
Massachusetts parentage laws are long out of date and exclude many children, particularly those with LGBTQ parents and/or de facto parents. The Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA) would change that, but faces a deadline next week that means we must act now in urging legislators to move it forward.
LGBTQ Parenting Roundup
Here’s the latest roundup of LGBTQ parenting news I haven’t covered elsewhere, with important progress in several countries, sports stars growing their families, and a major win for a queer-led family film!
Massachusetts Parentage Act Has Bipartisan Support: Let’s Move It Forward
The Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA) would ensure that all children in the state, including those with LGBTQ parents, have equal access to the protections of legal parentage. While it had a hearing last November and has strong support, it still needs a push to become law, said advocates of the bill at a panel today.
The First Queer Families to Benefit from Connecticut’s New, Comprehensive Parentage Law
Two queer couples and their children have become the first LGBTQ families to benefit from the Connecticut Parentage Act (CPA), which Connecticut Rep. Jeff Currey (D), the bill’s lead sponsor, said “may be the most impactful moment for LGBTQ families since marriage equality.”
LGBTQ Parents, Children, and Others Testify on Impact of Outdated Parentage Laws
Queer parents, their children, LGBTQ and children’s rights advocates, and others told Massachusetts legislators Tuesday about the negative impact that the state’s outdated parentage laws have on people’s lives, and called for the state to update its statutes so that all children, including those born to LGBTQ parents, have equal access to legal parentage.
