Archives › 2008 › August
Back-to-School Poll
There are only a couple of weeks left until school starts in most areas of the U.S. For those of you with school-age children, here’s a quick poll: {democracy:10}
“She Got Me Pregnant”: Episode 39
Dara Torres isn’t the only older mom competing in the Olympics, and this week Helen and I tell you about some more of them. Several are previous medalists and two managed to have three kids each in between Olympic appearances. In a heartbreaking story, one mother even needed to keep competing in order to raise [...]
LGBT Parenting Roundup
A few interesting features from round and about: From The Walrus magazine in Canada comes “Frontier Families: The Complexities of Queer Parenting,” by Matthew Hays, who wrote the article after two lesbian friends of his first considered and then rejected him as a sperm donor. He turns this rejection into a broad, balanced article about [...]
Jared Polis Reads, Writes . . . and Represents?
Entrepreneur Jared Polis could become the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Congress as a non-incumbent, according to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. He won the Democratic primary last night in Colorado’s “overwhelmingly Democratic” 2nd Congressional District, and the Victory Fund says he is “nearly certain to win the seat in November.” [...]
When Heather Grows Up
(Originally published in Bay Windows, June 26, 2008, with minor variation.) Two new works and one re-release share the real and fictionalized stories of teens with LGBT parents, shining a light on this often-overlooked part of our community. Tru Loved, now making the rounds at LGBT film festivals, features an all-star cast including Jasmine Guy, [...]
Another Olympic Mom: Hero or Not?
I was excited yesterday to watch Melanie Roach, a U.S. weightlifter in the 53-kilo (117-pound) category, set a new American record and come in sixth in her competition. Roach is the mother of three, and returning to competition after a five-year break and a herniated disk that required surgery. One of her sons was also [...]
You Thought Torres’ Age Was Impressive?
Olympian and mother Oksana Chusovitina is 33, a far cry from Dara Torres’ 41. I’m almost more impressed by her than by Torres, however, because she’s competing in gymnastics. That’s right, gymnastics, where most athletes hover around the 16-year-old minimum and there are rumors of some sneaking in at younger ages. This is the fifth [...]
Dara Torres Is Not a Lesbian
A public-service announcement for the many of you who are finding this site today after doing a search for: “Is Dara Torres a lesbian?” Nope, she’s not. She is twice divorced from men, and now lives with David Hoffman, a reproductive endocrinologist, masters swimmer, and father of her child. Yeah, I’m disappointed, too, but hey. [...]
Dara Torres Credits Daughter for Comeback
Dara Torres, at 41 years old, just won her 10th career Olympic medal, a silver in the women’s 400m freestyle relay. She anchored her teammates Natalie Coughlin, Lacey Nymeyer, and Kara-Lynn Joyce, but went into her leg facing a time deficit she could not make up for gold. She is an amazing athlete, and news [...]
Cinderella’s Gay Blades
A modernized version of Cinderella by the Russian-based Imperial Ice Stars caused controversy in Australia Tuesday when “two male characters share a romantic scene together on the ice.” And no, one of them isn’t the fairy godmother. They’re just a couple of guys at the ball. Artistic director Tony Mercer said, “I don’t think there [...]
“She Got Me Pregnant”: Episode 38
This week, Helen and I bring you the Olympics with a parenting perspective. We pay proper homage to Dara Torres, Olympic swimmer and mom, and discuss how another Olympic mother-athlete is helping top competitors balance training and motherhood. On a more personal level, we explain why and how we’re exposing our son to different sports, [...]
Olympic Thread
The Olympics start this Friday. It’s the one time when we have the TV on ’round the clock here. There’s nothing I won’t watch, and I have a particular fondness for the sports that aren’t often televised. I thought I’d start a thread for folks to offer their thoughts on any or all of the [...]
Book Giveaway: Love Tips and Trips
It’s all to easy, it seems to me, for us parents to become focused on our kids to the detriment of our own relationships. Today’s giveaway just may help remedy that. Michele O’Mara (who blogs at Bilerico) is an award-winning therapist, educator, and author based in Indianapolis who specializes in “the social support and personal [...]
LGBT Parenting Roundup
A few items from recent news: Which state has the highest percentage of LGBT couples with children? Mississippi, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, and reported by The Daily Mississippian. (Thanks to the Family Equality Council for the link.) The state also has the highest percentage of African American same-sex couples. The Census data does [...]
Water Songs from Erin Lee and Marci
Children’s musicians Erin Lee and Marci bring us the next of their regular posts with thematic recommendations for kid-friendly music, plus activities to make the songs an interactive experience for the whole family. Look for Erin Lee and Marci here on the first Monday of each month, or visit their homepage, www.gottaplay.org. I’ve created links [...]
Teaching All Teens About LGBT Issues
I wrote this a few months ago (with slight modification) for Vanessa Van Petten’s Teens Today blog. She had asked me to share some resources for her audience of mostly straight parents who want to talk with their teenagers, LGBT and not, about LGBT issues. I realize most of my readers at Mombian are more [...]
The Grossmont Union High School District in California voted 4-0 yesterday in support of Proposition 8, the November ballot initiative that would ban marriage of same-sex couples in California. It is believed to be the first public school board in the state to do so. The San Diego Union-Tribune notes that some supporters of the [...]
Weekly Political Update
President Bush reauthorized the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which allocates $48 billion over the next five years to treat people living with HIV and fund prevention programs in poorer countries for men who have sex with men. The reauthorization also contains changes that should remove legal roadblocks for HIV-positive immigrants wishing to [...]
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