More than 50 LGBTQ parents won election or reelection as part of the blue wave sweeping the U.S. this year, including one governor, a member of Congress, two state attorneys general, and the chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court. At least one person with LGBTQ parents also won. Here’s my exclusive roundup and some fun facts.
In a big win for LGBTQ and single people looking to start or grow their families, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (D) has just signed a bipartisan bill expanding coverage of fertility health care to be more inclusive.
“Today’s ruling threatens the very essence of public education,” said U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor in a dissent after the court decided today that parents have the right to opt out their children before LGBTQ-inclusive books are read in public school classrooms.
The Republican governor of Vermont, Phil Scott, signed a bill May 22 that will make it easier for nongestational LGBTQ parents to confirm their legal parentage via adoption, without burdensome and unnecessary requirements.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) has signed legislation updating the state’s parentage laws to be more equitable for LGBTQ parents and their children, families formed via assisted reproduction, and those with de facto or functional parents. “It’s a great, great day as we celebrate full parental equality,” she said at the signing ceremony Monday.
Terrific news from Massachusetts today! Just before 3 a.m. this morning, the legislature enacted the Massachusetts Parentage Act, updating state parentage laws to better protect the children of LGBTQ parents, those formed via assisted reproduction, and those with de facto or functional parents.
Twenty years ago today, two moms received the first marriage license deliberately issued to a same-sex couple in the United States. They were accompanied by their daughter and by the attorney (another another queer mom) who had led the landmark case for marriage equality. Let’s take a further look at how parents and the welfare of children helped accomplish this milestone.
The U.S. Department of Education has released regulations that will better protect LGBTQ students, sexual violence survivors, and others against discrimination in schools. Regulations addressing the inclusion of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex students in school sports, however, are still pending.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced an expansion to in vitro fertilization (IVF) benefits for veterans that will mean more LGBTQ veterans (among others) have access to this treatment—but not all.
Lesbian moms. We’re judging you. At least some of us are, with Nicole Berner confirmed by the Senate Tuesday to a seat on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, joining Melissa DuBose, another lesbian mom who was confirmed last week to a U.S. District Court seat.
