A Two-Fer of Good News from California
Despite that whole Prop 8 thing, California continues to be a leader in legal protections for LGBT families.
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An Epic Win for Marriage — and a Caution for Same-Sex Parents
My 10-year-old son throws around the word “epic” on a daily basis. His newest Pokémon card? Epic. His latest zombie-defeating battle in Minecraft, his favorite online game? Epic. The word seemed in danger of losing its original clout—and then the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). That, I told him, was epic.
Lesbian Moms Again in Forefront in New Round of Marriage Cases
The past couple of weeks have seen a new round of progress in several marriage-equality lawsuits—and just as with the cases that brought down the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8, lesbian moms are again in the forefront, along with a number of gay dads. Two of the cases (in Michigan and North Carolina) even began as challenges to state bans on second-parent adoptions, and later evolved into marriage-ban challenges as well.
The Lesbian Moms Behind DOMA Repeal
As we all ride the waves of elation and joy from yesterday’s marriage equality victories, we lesbian moms can take extra pride in knowing that several of our own were among those leading the way. Prop 8 plaintiffs Kris Perry and Sandy Stier have four kids. And attorney Mary Bonauto, who has been called the “mastermind” of the DOMA repeal, has twins.
U.S. Supreme Court Rules DOMA Unconstitutional
The U.S. Supreme Court has just ruled that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional—in other words, that the federal government must recognize legally enacted marriages of same-sex couples. The Court also said those defending California’s Proposition 8 had no standing to do so—clearing the way for same-sex couples to marry in California.
Disney Channel Show to Feature Two-Mom Family
A terrific piece of news today: The Disney Channel has announced that an episode of its children’s series Good Luck Charlie will feature a family with two moms—the first time a show on the channel has done so.
Video: Nine-Year-Old Twins of Lesbian Moms Introduce President at White House Pride Reception
At this afternoon’s LGBT Pride Month Reception at the White House, President Obama was introduced by nine-year-old twins Zea and Luna, third graders from California who have two moms. Watch after the jump (along with the President’s remarks).
“The Fosters”: An LGBT “Brady Bunch”?
In 2008, I wrote: “We need to see LGBT parents not only creating families, but also raising children with all the ups and downs of families everywhere. When we see an LGBT version of The Brady Bunch, we’ll know we have made progress.” Is The Fosters, ABC Family’s new drama about a multiracial lesbian couple and their biological, adopted, and foster kids, that show?
Victory for Lesbian Moms in Iowa!
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) must provide an accurate two-parent birth certificate to any child born to married lesbian parents in Iowa. Same-sex couples have been able to marry in Iowa since April 2009—but the IDPH has refused to recognize both members of a same-sex couple as parents of children born to them. They can do so no longer.
Children of Same-Sex Parents Speak Out for Equality
Children and adults with same-sex parents have been in the headlines lately by speaking up for marriage equality, making their voices heard all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. We parents should be proud—but should also keep some things in mind before our children make public statements about our families.