Supreme Court Declines to Rule in Lesbian-Custody Case

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected without comment an appeal by Lisa Miller-Jenkins, a biological mother who has been trying to deny visitation rights to her former partner Janet Miller-Jenkins. (Thanks, PageOneQ.) The case has bounced between the jurisdictions of Vermont and Virginia. Lisa Miller-Jenkins was attempting to appeal a Vermont Supreme Court ruling that the state’s civil-union law, rather than Virginia law, governs the dispute.

Earlier this month, a Vermont court gave Janet Miller-Jenkins the right to visit their five-year-old daughter Isabella, whom she hasn’t been able to see or contact in over two years. She is now seeking primary custody, with visitation rights for Lisa, because Vermont does not allow joint custody.

Whatever the legal ramifications of today’s decision, I have to imagine it’s best for Isabella to have the issue wrapped up as quickly as possible, and away from the glaring spotlight of a Supreme Court case.

Ellen, Ten Years On

Today marks the tenth anniversary of “The Puppy Episode,” aka “The coming Out Episode” on Ellen, the comedian’s eponymous first television sitcom. GLAAD has a lengthy press release discussing the significance of the show. It was a turning point in depictions of LGBT people on television, and an empowering moment in many of our personal lives.

The Oxygen network is airing an Ellen marathon today from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET/PT, with the two-part “Puppy” episode at 1:00 p.m.

From controversial sitcom star to host of the Oscars. It’s been an eventful decade for DeGeneres (who, rumor has it, may be considering motherhood with partner Portia de Rossi.) For the rest of us, too, much has changed since 1997. Despite all the right-wing nonsense going on these days, we have made progress, with more visibility of LGBT people in entertainment and the media, and legal relationship recognition in a small, but growing number of states.

Thanks to Ellen for her groundbreaking work and all she continues to do for the LGBT community.

A Walk Through the Education Sections

A bevy of interesting articles in the past few days:

• The Christian Science Monitor examines proposed changes to the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). As lawmakers debate its reauthorization, they are considering whether the evaluation of schools should emphasize progress, rather than merely achieving certain goals.
• Across the pond, educators in the U.K. are also considering changing school testing to focus on progress rather than preparation for high-stakes tests at set stages, BBC News reports. The plan would also stress individual progress and provide opportunities for individual tuition to students who are falling behind.
• Even those who do make it through the rigors of higher education may fall short in their knowledge of personal finance, however, the Christian Science Monitor claims. They offer some suggestions for recent college grads on basic budgeting and saving.
• The Christian Science Monitor also reports on the growing number of mothers attending college while they still have young children. Not many colleges make provision for housing undergraduate mothers, nor for childcare, though some are now taking steps to change that.
• Gaining further education can benefit not only mothers but also their children, says the BBC News. A recent study by the Institute of Education found that mothers with higher education and family incomes reported more interactions with their children—and it is parental interactions, more than specific toys or numbers of books, that impact child development.
• Income and education don’t always guarantee good parenting, however, and the Times Online takes on middle-class parents who overemphasize toddler classes and toys at the expense of parenting attention. (See also this Atlantic Monthly article from last fall about the dubious benefits of Baby Einstein and its ilk.)
• Finally, the New York Times reminds us there are more paths to success and measures of excellence than getting into an elite college.

Book Recommendation: Carrot Soup

I enjoy finding seasonal books for my son, and was pleased to stumble upon John Segal’s Carrot Soup. In it, Rabbit spends many hours planning and cultivating his carrot garden, only to find that the carrots have vanished right before the harvest. He asks his friends Mole, Dog, Cat, and others if they have seen his vegetables, but they dissemble. Astute children will, however, spy in the illustrations clues to the animal’s real actions. The reason for their deed is a mystery until the end, though, when we see they have created a surprise birthday party for Rabbit, complete with his favorite carrot soup.

It’s a charming little book with a lighthearted frisson of suspense, perfect for preschool and early elementary-school children. Along the way it tells us the names of eight different types of carrots (yes, there are more than just “large” and “baby”) and gives us a real recipe for the eponymous soup. The soft but playful watercolor illustrations enhance the simple text.

I wrote last week about evidence that young children are more likely to eat vegetables when they come from their own garden. If Carrot Soup motivates children or their parents to plant some carrot seeds, so much the better. If not, it’s still worth the read.

Weekly Political Roundup

Lots of good news this week:

• The U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which includes protections crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and sent it to the floor of the House.
• An Indiana high school teacher who risked her job supporting a student-newspaper editorial advocating tolerance for gay people has reached an agreement to continue teaching at another school, albeit not in a journalism position.
• The Iowa legislature approved a bill banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, public accommodations, housing, education and credit practices. The governor has said he will sign it.
• The New Hampshire Senate followed the House and approved a bill to create same-sex civil unions. Governor John Lynch has said he will sign it. Read the rest of this post »

Family Leave Bill Only Good for Legal Families

Two recent pieces of legislation in Washington State show once again the interconnectedness between family rights and LGBT rights, a topic I have covered before. Governor Christine Gregoire last weekend signed domestic-partner legislation that will allow same-sex couples to receive a variety of rights over inheritance, hospital visitation, and medical decisions.

The Washington State Senate has also sent a bill to Governor Gregoire that would guarantee any employee in Washington five weeks of paid leave at the arrival of her or his new child. She is expected to sign it.

Note the gap between these bills, however—a gap same-sex families could fall through. Read the rest of this post »

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

Today is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, “designed to expand opportunities for girls and boys, expose them to what adults in their lives do during the work day, show them the value of their education, and give them an opportunity to share how they envision their future.”

I find it telling, however, that the organizers also discuss the importance of educating our children about work-life balance: Read the rest of this post »

How to Welcome an LGBT Family

My son and I went to his first Music Together class in our new area today. We’d done Music Together for over two years before we moved, and I knew it was a program I wanted to continue. Not only did we have a fabulous teacher back in New York, but I liked the pedagogy behind the program—basic musical building blocks like rhythm and pitch hidden beneath a layer of fun, with music from various styles and cultures.

I filled out the registration form for our new class, and put both my name and my partner’s on the “Parents” line. The teacher read over the form, and in a perfectly neutral tone, asked, “Is this your partner?”

I said yes, and then she asked, “Are you okay when I use ‘daddy’ in some of the songs?” Read the rest of this post »

No Excuses for Homophobia

Most readers of this blog can reel off any number of reasons why same-sex couples should have the same legal rights, protections, and responsibilities as opposite-sex ones. It’s still gratifying, however, to see someone put together the arguments in a pithy, witty, no-holds-barred article in the mainstream press. Hop on over to New Hampshire’s Manchester Union Leader site to read Monday’s article by Steve McBrian. (Thanks to Blue Mass Group.)

ENDA and Our Families

If you’ve read any LGBT news sites today, you know we’ve moved one step closer to an important protection for LGBT Americans. Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA), Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Chris Shays (R-CT) introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which makes it illegal to base hiring, firing, promotion, or pay decisions on someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The legislation would provide vital security for all LGBT workers. For LGBT parents supporting children, it protects the children as well.

The introduction of a bill is a far cry from its passage, however. It is important that our voices on this issue be heard, not just as LGBT Americans, but as parents. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has a page of links to ways you can help promote this legislation, including a simple pre-written (though editable) e-mail to your members of Congress. It takes less time than doing a diaper change or assembling a train set.