milestone Archives - Page 7 of 33

Connecticut Senate Unanimously Approves Bill Updating Parentage Laws to Protect Children of All Families

May 21, 2021

The Connecticut Senate last night unanimously passed the Connecticut Parentage Act (CPA), landmark legislation to update the state’s laws and better protect all children, regardless of the circumstances of their birth or the marital status, gender, or sexual orientation of their parents. Among other things, it gives nonbiological/nongestational parents a simpler way to establish a legal parent-child relationship, without a home study or court hearing. The bill passed the House last month and now goes to Governor Ned Lamont (D) for signing.

Photo credit: Zaccari-Blixt family / Immigration Equality

State Department Ends Policy that Denied Citizenship to Children of Married Same-Sex Parents

May 20, 2021

In a significant victory for equality this week, the U.S. State Department has ended a policy that had denied birthright citizenship to children born abroad to married same-sex parents born abroad if the U.S. citizen parent was not biologically related. This also ends years of uncertainty for at least one two-mom couple who have been fighting for their child’s citizenship.

Croatian Court Rules That Same-Sex Couples Can Apply to Adopt

May 10, 2021

A Croatian court has ruled that same-sex couples in civil partnerships may apply to become adoptive parents, and must be treated the same as different-sex married couples during the assessment process. The country’s LGBTQ family group calls it an “historic verdict.”

American flag with children's silhouettes

President Biden’s LGBTQ-Inclusive Proclamation for National Foster Care Month

May 6, 2021

President Biden’s proclamation of May as National Foster Care Month returns to the inclusion begun by President Obama, with a mention of LGBTQ youth in foster care—and a reminder of the challenges that remain to bring equity and justice to our foster care system.

Connecticut House Passes Bill to Update State’s Parentage Laws with Strong Bipartisan Support

April 26, 2021

The Connecticut House of Representatives today passed the Connecticut Parentage Act (CPA) 141-1, with many Republicans joining Democratic colleagues to speak out in strong support of the bill. The landmark legislation would update the state’s laws to better protect all children, regardless of the circumstances of their birth or the marital status, gender, or sexual orientation of their parents.

DOJ Affirms Protections for Transgender and Other LGBTQ Youth (+ Two Other Wins for Trans Youth)

April 6, 2021

While the current legislative season is seeing a horrifying record number of anti-transgender bills, there were three wins this week: the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a memo affirming that Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation, contrary to what the Trump administration had said; the governor of Arkansas vetoed a bill that would have prevented transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming medication or surgery; and the NCAA president has spoken in support of transgender youth in sports.

Michigan Appeals Court Recognizes Parental Rights of Same-Sex Parents–and Points the Way Forward

April 5, 2021

Last week, the Michigan Court of Appeals recognized that both women in an unmarried same-sex couple, one the genetic mother and one the gestational mother, have parental rights. This is a clear victory—but the ruling also indicates what is still needed for even fuller protection of all families, no matter who’s in them or how they are formed.

Rachel Levine Becomes First Transgender Person Confirmed by Senate (and She’s a Parent, Too!)

March 25, 2021

Dr. Rachel Levine yesterday became the first openly transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate and the country’s highest-ranking transgender official. Levine, who has two grown children, will be the assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services.

Queer Parents and Advocates Testify to Update Connecticut Parentage Laws

March 8, 2021

Connecticut remains the only New England state that leaves children born to non-biological, non-marital parents wholly unprotected in its parentage laws. Queer parents, legal and medical experts, advocates, and others testified today in support of a bill that would change that.

Rep. Angie Craig (D-MIN) and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY)

Here’s What the Two LGBTQ Parents in Congress Said About the Equality Act

February 26, 2021

The Equality Act, a comprehensive, federal, LGBTQ civil rights bill, passed the U.S. House yesterday in a bipartisan vote—and in their speeches before the vote, the two LGBTQ parents in Congress both spoke about their kids and about the wider impact of the legislation.