Author and Queer Mom Jacqueline Woodson Named a 2020 MacArthur Fellow
Author Jaqueline Woodson yesterday was named one of the winners of this year’s MacArthur “genius grants”—one of at least three queer moms ever to win the accolade.
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Federal Court Orders U.S. State Dept. to Recognize Citizenship of Child with Married Same-Sex Parents
A federal court yesterday ordered the U.S. State Department to recognize the citizenship of the two-year-old daughter of a married two-dad couple, both U.S. citizens, in the second immigration victory for same-sex parents this summer.
Marriage Is Not Enough: Securing Parentage in New England and Beyond
Marriage equality has been the law nationwide since 2015, but married and unmarried LGBTQ couples who use third-party assisted reproductive technologies (ART) still face significant obstacles in most states to securing ironclad legal parentage for both parents. Progress in a few states, most recently in New England, may point the way forward.
Lesbian Mom and Veteran Political Organizer to be Kamala Harris’ Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, a veteran political organizer, commentator, and author, will be the chief of staff for newly announced VP candidate Kamala Harris. She’s also a lesbian mom—and her daughter was her inspiration to join the campaign.
New Hampshire Governor Signs Legislation Protecting LGBTQ and Other Families
New Hampshire has become the second state within the past week that has updated its parentage laws to better protect all children and families, including those formed through assisted reproduction.
Rhode Island Passes Bill Protecting Families Formed Through Assisted Reproduction
The Rhode Island Legislature this afternoon passed a bill that updates the state’s parentage laws to provide stronger, more equitable protections for families formed via assisted reproduction.
Five Years of Marriage Equality, Brought to You in Large Part by Parents
Five years ago today, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that marriage should be open to all couples, no matter their gender—and one of the strongest arguments in the case was the best interests of children. Yet even five years after marriage equality, we are still struggling towards full equality for our families.
Federal Court Orders State Dept. to Recognize U.S. Citizenship of Child Born to Gay Dads
A federal court has ordered the U.S. State Department to recognize the U.S. citizenship of a child born to two U.S. citizen dads abroad—something the department had refused to do for more than a year. But several similar cases involving same-sex parents and their children are still pending.
Good News, Bad News: Supreme Court Rules for LGBTQ Employment Equality While Trump Administration Finalizes Anti-LGBTQ Healthcare Rule
The U.S. Supreme Court surprised many today with a landmark 6-3 ruling, written by Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch, stating that people cannot be fired from their jobs because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Yet last Friday, the Trump administration finalized a rule that says health care anti-discrimination protections don’t cover discrimination based on LGBTQ identities.
New York Approves Gestational Surrogacy and Simplifies Legal Recognition for Nonbiological Parents
After a long effort by LGBTQ parents, prospective parents, and other advocates, the State of New York will finally legalize gestational surrogacy—and simplify and strengthen the laws around recognizing nonbiological parents and single parents in all families formed through reproductive technologies.