Same-Sex Marriage News

While I don’t often just post news links, there’s enough exciting news this week about same-sex marriage that I thought it was worth an update:

In Massachusetts, the Attorney General is deciding whether to certify a proposed ballot initiative for 2008 that would ban gay marriage in the future, but leave existing gay marriages intact. This baffles my mind in so many ways. Aside from the ethics that may be involved, has anyone thought about the administration of such a thing?

In California, the Senate is expected to vote this week on legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. If passed, this would be the first time a legislature has approved same-sex marriage. (In Massachusetts, it was a judicial ruling that did the trick.)

In Maryland, a circuit court is hearing a case claiming that not granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples is unconstitutional. It is unknown when the court will issue its ruling, which will likely then be appealed to Maryland’s highest court, the Court of Appeals.

If you live in one of these states, write to your elected officials with this easy online form and let them know your thoughts on the issue. Then start thinking about your Labor Day weekend plans.

Eat Your Vegetables!

I’m tired of going to restaurants with my son and reading children’s menus that go like this:

• Chicken Fingers and French Fries
• Grilled Cheese and French Fries
• Hamburger and French Fries
• Hot Dog and French Fries

What’s missing? Vegetables! (Leaving aside the argument that potatoes are technically vegetables–so is chocolate, since it’s made from cocoa beans.) I see this as part of a vicious cycle:

• People think children don’t like vegetables.
• People don’t serve children vegetables.
• Children never get exposed to vegetables, so they don’t like them.

My son loves broccoli. And zucchini. And carrots. And bok choy. And almost any other vegetable he’s tried. Granted, kids do have food preferences, and not every kid is going to like the same thing. But I think my son’s vegetable fondness was formed from four components, in addition to his own inherent tastes:
Read the rest of this post »

Lesbian Parenting Hacks

The idea of “life hacks” is a growing phenomenon right now, especially in the geek community. A computer hack, in the non-malicious sense, is a small script or shortcut to facilitate common tasks. A “life hack” is any tip or trick to help cut through the clutter of our everyday lives. Several prominent blogs, notably Lifehacker and 43 Folders, devote themselves to such useful tricks and suggestions. These sites offer advice on such topics as putting together a basic household toolbox, recovering data from a bad hard drive, how to poach an egg, and cleaning and stain removal. There are even related sites specifically on “Parenting Hacks.”

Most of the above hacks are applicable to almost anyone, though they skew towards the techno-savvy. I thought I would offer, however, a few hacks specifically geared to lesbian moms:
Read the rest of this post »

California Recognizes Lesbian Parents’ Rights

The California Supreme Court issued three rulings yesterday stating that lesbian partners who have children while they are a couple are both entitled, and required, to be treated as the children’s parents, regardless of whether they are formally registered as domestic partners. This puts lesbian parents on an equal footing with unmarried heterosexual parents, and means, among other things, that if the couple splits up, both partners are liable for child support.

This is how it should be. “Equal rights, not special rights” has long been a motto of the gay rights movement, and it’s gratifying to see that at least one jurisdiction agrees.

Breast Cancer and French Fries

A new study from Harvard Medical School suggests that the risk of breast cancer increases with every serving of french fries consumed between the ages of three and five. The culprits seem to be the high saturated fats and trans-fatty acids used for frying. The study, while potentially important, is dependent on mothers’ ability to recall their daughters’ toddler diets, and therefore subject to some margin of error. As with all such medical information, you may wish to discuss with your own doctor and other health care professionals.

Back to School

As some of us prepare our children for going back to school, the Human Rights Campaign has posted a number of tips on school safety and what to do if your child has been harrassed or discriminated against because of your sexual orientation.

Also, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) has partnered with COLAGE (Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere) and the Family Pride Coalition to conduct a survey on LGBT families’ and their experiences with schools. The survey is completely anonymous, so if you have a few minutes, please help them build a better picture so we can make schools a better place for every student.

Fixing Noisy Kid’s Toys

We’ve all had them in our homes (usually as gifts from relatives who don’t have kids): toys that make annoying beeps, bleeps, or buzzes. Some are merely bothersome; others could be potentially harmful to your child’s hearing. Lifehacker has a useful post today about how to disable the speakers on many children’s toys, a simple matter with a screwdriver and wire cutters. The Sight & Hearing Association site also has some useful tips on how to test and fix noisy toys.

Lesbian Swans

They laid eggs together. They prepared for parenthood together. But Romeo and Juliet, the famous two swans residing in the Boston Public Garden (remember Make Way for Ducklings?) both turn out to be female, the Boston Globe reported Friday. Unfortunately, since the eggs were unfertilized, they did not hatch. Visitors have suggested artificial insemination so the pair can be parents after all.

Apparently, this is not an uncommon behaviour among swans if there is not an opposite-sex bird around. Swans will then stay with the same mate for life. 365gay.com reports further on this and other instances of gay and lesbian pairs in the animal world, a phenomenon one researcher calls “biological exuberance.” Somehow, I like that a whole lot better than “homosexual tendencies.”

No word yet on whether the swans will marry under Massachusetts law.

The Great Outdoors

Enjoy the last weeks of summer–find a state park near you and get outside. Little ones can ride in a backpack child carrier like the one pictured here. We have one for our son, and it’s nicely adjustable in case there are two wearers of different sizes. (Helpful hint for moms: wear a hat so you don’t get Cheerio goo in your hair. Short hair helps, but if yours is long, just be resigned to having “reins” for a while.) Older children may wish to bring along the Peterson First Guide to Insects of North America.

End-of-Summer Fun

Here are a couple of sites to help you find things to do with your kids before they go back to school (or even after):

• Find a children’s museum near you through the Association of Children’s Museums.
• For older children, find a science center through the Association of Science – Technology Centers.