Mombian

Mombian Monthly Recap — February

February 27, 2015 • No comments

February always seems to fly by for me. In case it does for you, too, and you’ve missed some Mombian posts, I thought I’d recap some of my favorites.

In Parenting, Politics and Law

Genetic Ties for Both Same-Sex Parents? Not for Moms

February 26, 2015 • No comments

It’s been all over the news for the past few days: a discovery that within two years, could allow “same-sex parents” to both be genetically connected to their child. Most news outlets have neglected to mention one small fact, however: It will likely only work for two dads, not two moms.

In Family Creation

Breakthrough Filmmaker on Representation in Pop Culture

February 25, 2015 • No comments

Filmmaker Justin Simien, who won for “Best First Screenplay” at the Film Independent Spirit Awards Saturday night, offered encouragement to anyone who doesn’t feel represented in popular culture.

In Entertainment

Same-Sex Spouses Can Now Take FMLA Leave in All States

February 24, 2015 • No comments

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that married same-sex spouses who are otherwise eligible will be able to take time off to care for each other under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), even if they don’t live in states that recognize their marriage. But same-sex parents should know one more thing about FMLA.

In Politics and Law, Working

Watch: Story of One of First Gay Men to Adopt in U.S.

February 23, 2015 • 2 comments

NPR’s excellent StoryCorps program last week ran a segment on Bill Jones, one of the first single men–and gay men–to adopt a child in the U.S. There’s even more to know about this pioneering gay dad, however.

In Family Creation, Family Profiles

Help Create Guide for Kids Born Through Assisted Reproductive Technologies

February 20, 2015 • 2 comments

Help COLAGE, the national organization for those with LGBTQ parents, create a guide for youth and young adults born through assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

In Family Creation

Doctor Refuses to Care for Lesbian Moms’ Baby

February 19, 2015 • No comments

File this under “despicable.” A two-mom couple in Michigan says the pediatrician they had selected to care for their newborn daughter has refused because they are lesbians.

In Health and Safety, Politics and Law

Nation’s First Bisexual Governor Also a Stepmom

February 19, 2015 • No comments

Kate Brown made history yesterday as she became governor of Oregon and the country’s first openly bisexual governor. She’s also a stepmom.

In Politics and Law

Three Tips for Easing Administrivia after a Parent’s Passing

February 18, 2015 • No comments

My mom died recently of cancer. While the death of a parent is first and foremost deeply emotional, it also brings with it a host of administrative tasks, especially if the parent has no surviving spouse. Here are three things my mom, brother, and I did to ensure the administrative side of things didn’t intrude overmuch.

In Money and Finance, Politics and Law

An HRC Sticker and a Mistaken Identity

February 17, 2015 • No comments

Here’s a funny story about an HRC sticker and a case of mistaken identity.

In Fun

Denying LGBTQ Identities in Death

February 16, 2015 • 2 comments

Photo credit: Jessie Eastland, under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

My mother recently died from cancer, and so end-of-life issues are much on my mind. As a straight, cisgender woman, she will be buried next to my father under a common gravestone, with the name she prefers. Our family will honor both her individual identity and the life she and my father created together. Not all LGBTQ people can expect the same, however, as several recent incidents have reminded us.