Legally Protecting Your LGBTQ Family in 2026
A new year offers new motivation to set goals and make changes. For LGBTQ families, one of the most important goals should be to ensure our parent-child relationships are as legally secure as possible.
voluntary acknowledgement of parentage
LGBTQ Parentage Progress in 2025 and What Lies Ahead
Despite increasing anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and policies across the United States, 2025 saw several states pass parentage legislation that will help make LGBTQ families more secure. Polly Crozier, director of family advocacy at GLAD Law, spoke with me about the progress and what might be in store for 2026.
Illinois Passes Equality for Every Family Act to Better Protect Children of LGBTQ Parents
The Illinois General Assembly yesterday passed the Equality for Every Family Act (HB 2568), which updates the state’s parentage laws to better protect the children of LGBTQ parents and others formed via assisted reproduction.
LGBTQ Parents: Have Questions About Securing Your Parentage? Start With This Guide
In the wake of the election, I have seen a flood of questions online from LGBTQ parents about how to ensure that their child-parent relationships will be legally secure and recognized in every state. A guide that GLAD Law and I created answers frequently asked questions about exactly that.
“LGBTQ Paths to Parentage Security”: New Guide from GLAD and Mombian Helps LGBTQ Parents Understand Options for Protecting Their Families
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and Mombian have partnered to create “LGBTQ Paths to Parentage Security,” a resource for LGBTQ parents and others that answers frequently asked questions about how LGBTQ+ parents can ensure their child-parent relationships will be secure and recognized in every state.
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 Parentage Act Does Not Advance; Advocates Vow to “Come Back Strong”
The Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA), which would update state parentage laws to better protect all children, including those with LGBTQ parents, did not make it through the legislative process before the session ended July 31. Advocates say they will continue fighting for it in the next session.
How LGBTQ Parents Can Protect Their Families After Dobbs
How can LGBTQ families best protect themselves after the Dobbs decision? Polly Crozier, senior staff attorney at GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), and Julie Gonen, federal policy director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), shared their thoughts with me.
Colorado Gov. Signs Parentage Bill Named After Child of Two Moms
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) yesterday signed “Marlo’s Law,” which will ensure critical legal protections for families formed via assisted reproduction and is named after the child of the bill’s co-prime sponsor, a lesbian mom. The Colorado legislature has also recently passed a bill ensuring that donor-conceived people have access to certain information about their sperm/egg donors.
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.