An Unlikely Friendship

Last week, I pointed out a moving post from Blogging for LGBT Families Day written by Haley Montgomery, a conservative evangelical Christian who was struggling to work through the issue of marriage equality, trying to reconcile her beliefs with the stories of loving LGBT families she was reading online.

This week, I want to highlight another contributed post, this time from the blog May the Beauty. The author describes herself as “a 6 feet tall, spirited, wordy, loving, coffee serving, cheese-ball. Also known as a Mother, Wife, Partner, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Lesbian, Friend, Neighbor and Christian.”

In her post, she describes a close friend who nevertheless voted Yes on Prop 8. She, like Haley, tries to navigate the often complex intersection of belief, friendship, and family: Read the rest of this post »

This Is How Change Is Made: A Story from Blogging for LGBT Families Day

Of all the posts submitted to Blogging for LGBT Families Day, the one that has made the greatest impression on me is: “The One Where I Come Out… And Say It,” by Haley Montgomery, aka eyeJunkie. Haley describes herself as “a politically conservative, white, heterosexual, middle class evangelical Christian from Mississippi. And, I’m probably pretty close to who you think I am when I write those words.”

In her post, she makes the surprising admission of being a regular reader of LesbianDad, a blog likely familiar to many of you. For those who don’t know Polly and her wonderful blog, Haley’s description is actually pretty accurate: “one of those crazy, liberal Californians, Berkeley graduate, feminist, Buddhist, lesbian activist. She’s also a ‘Baba’ of two children and an excellent writer and photographer. She and her wife have one of the 18,000 marriages that were upheld by the California Supreme Court last week when it also upheld Proposition 8.”

Haley observes that her reading of Polly’s blog “is likely to ilicit [sic] the same ‘duh’ response of outrage from both the LGBT and conservative reader-types, but I’m sitting squarely on the (barbed wire) fence on this whole gay marriage issue.” Read the rest of this post »

Blogging for LGBT Families Day: Thank You!

I am once again dazzled by the range of contributions to Blogging for LGBT Families Day. We heard from LGBT parents across the gender spectrum, children of LGBT parents, other LGBT people, and allies. There were a number of posts in Spanish. There were old timers, who have contributed to all four years of this event, as well as many new voices. Thanks to all of you who participated and who continue to define and illuminate the great diversity of LGBT families.

Over the next few days, I’ll be reading through the posts and highlighting a few that catch my eye. Please leave a comment if there are some that catch yours (other than your own).

(And if you didn’t participate, but would like to, go ahead and sneak in your post. I’m a parent. Late is standard.)

Blogging for LGBT Families Day 2009: Contributed Posts

Welcome to Blogging for LGBT Families Day! Below is the master list of contributed posts. Please enjoy!

To submit a post, complete the form at the end of this post, after the jump. If you don’t have a blog of your own (but only then), please leave your contribution in a comment.

[It's not too late: I'm lax about the end time, anyway—I'm a parent and know what it means to be running late. Thanks to all who have already submitted posts!]

A special thanks to the Family Equality Council for sponsoring the event and donating a free registration to Family Week in Provincetown for the drawing. Thanks also to author Sarah Brannen, who contributed a signed copy of her book, Uncle Bobby’s Wedding. (See end of post for details of drawing.)

Thanks as well to The Bilerico Project, COLAGE, HRC, PageOneQ, and the many others who went the extra mile in encouraging participation.

I hope you take the time to read other people’s posts and enjoy the diversity of the LGBT community and our allies. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be writing up some posts that pull together various themes that emerge.

Posts are included in submission order.
Read the rest of this post »

One Week to Go: Blogging for LGBT Families Day

There’s only one week left before the 4th Annual Blogging for LGBT Families Day on Monday, June 1!

Please help get the word out through your blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc. The more of us who participate, the more impact we can have. Grab a banner here.

Posts are already starting to trickle in. While it’s more fun if we all post on the same day, I’m happy to take early posts if you’re going to be away on the 1st. Just complete the form at the bottom of this post, after the jump.

Remember, the Family Equality Council, the event sponsor, has donated a free Family Registration to Family Week 2009 in Provincetown. I will give this away to one randomly selected participant.

Also, author Sarah Brannen has offered a signed copy of her picture book Uncle Bobby’s Wedding. It’s the delightful tale of a young guinea pig named Chloe, who is concerned that her uncle will no longer have time for her after he marries his boyfriend. It’s a reassuring tale for all children, regardless of family type. I’ll give that away to a random participant as well.

Here’s how it works: Read the rest of this post »

Blogging for LGBT Families Day 2009: Win Registration to Family Week in P’town

Save the date: It’s that time of year again! One month from now, on Monday, June 1, I will be hosting the 4th Annual Blogging for LGBT Families Day.

I chose the date not only because it is the start of Pride Month, but also because it sits almost directly between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, honoring both while acknowledging that not all families fit the traditional model.

I am also very pleased to announce that the Family Equality Council will once again be sponsoring the event, and has donated a free Family Registration to Family Week 2009 in Provincetown. I will give this away to one randomly selected participant.

Here’s how it works: Read the rest of this post »

Blogging for LGBT Families Day 2009

Save the date: It’s that time of year again! One month from now, on Monday, June 1, I will be hosting the 4th Annual Blogging for LGBT Families Day.

Last year, over 170 bloggers from around the world participated, including lesbian moms, gay dads, adult children of LGBT parents, members of the transgender community, LGBT individuals without children, and straight allies. Some bloggers told stories about their paths to parenthood, or tales about their children; some wrote about LGBT relatives or friends; others discussed current political events; and several spoke of why their faith obliges them to support LGBT rights. This year’s writings should be equally diverse and compelling.

Here’s how it works:

• Blog on a topic related to LGBT families on or before June 1, 2009.
• Complete the form at the bottom of this post to submit your entry.
• I’ll compile the posts and highlight them here on June 1. Come back and read the stories and insights of our community and allies.

Any blogger who wants to support LGBT families is welcome, LGBT or not, parent or not. I encourage those who don’t usually post about LGBT families or LGBT issues, as well as those for whom every day is Blogging for LGBT Families Day. Give it a spin based on your usual blog topics. There’s no set formula or format. Photos and videos are also welcome.

The list of last year’s contributions is still online for your perusal.

Please also download a banner and promote the event on your site, Facebook, Twitter, etc. The more people who participate, the more impact our voices will have.

Thanks to the Family Equality Council for sponsorship of the event.