Lesbian Albatrosses Welcome Chick

The two female albatrosses in New Zealand who have been incubating an egg together are now the proud parents of a little chick.

The Times Online reports:

For the next six months the new parents will take turns to alternately guard and feed the chick, with one protecting it from predators while the other goes out to sea to forage for food several hundred kilometres away. They swap the roles every two days.

I bet none of us can top that division of labor.

Anyone else feel like sending stuffed plush albatross dolls to those who say same-sex parenting is unnatural?

(Photo credit: Mila Zinkova. Distributed under the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2. Not the actual albatrosses described above.)

Gay Dads Get a Lift at IKEA

One more reason I love IKEA. Actual photo from the IKEA in Stoughton, Mass.

(And yes, there was another elevator next to it with a “man” and a “woman” and a child—or a butch and a femme, depending on your perspective. One of the figures was in a dress. Interpret it as you will. That seemed less extraordinary, however, and since my son was dragging me away for meatballs, I didn’t grab a photo.)

Where Can You “Marry Gay”?

While you’re waiting to see if the California Supreme Court is going to announce their opinion filing on Prop 8 today, as rumored (with the actual announcement coming tomorrow), check out Can I Marry Gay?, a simple but brilliant little Web app that lets you see if the state you’re in will let you and your beloved get hitched. (Thanks, Queerty.) I love the smiling little stick figures!

It doesn’t go quite as far as my idea for a “Gay Positioning System (GPS),” but it’s a start (and a handy reference to state laws for those of us who write about these things).

Shakespeare on Lesbians

Today marks the traditional observance of Shakespeare’s birthday. In honor of the Bard, therefore, I give you two lesbianish quotes.

The first is from his gender-mix-up comedy Twelfth Night. Viola, disguised as a man, comments upon the Countess Olivia:

She made good view of me; indeed, so much
That methought her eyes had lost her tongue,
For she did speak in starts distractedly.
She loves me, sure . . . .

Next, from his little-known Sonnets to Sundry Notes of Music:

Were kisses all the joys in bed,
One woman would another wed.

Clearly there were limits to even the Bard’s imagination . . . .

Since some of my best friends are Actual Shakespeare Scholars, I hasten to add that all this proves is that Shakespeare is quotable enough to be used for any purpose, however anachronistic or out of context. He himself played fast and loose with history, though, so I don’t feel too much remorse. (That’s probably also why I’m enjoying The Tudors. Either that, or I’m just trying to amuse myself between the end of The L Word and the beginning of Weeds.)

(Reposted with slight variation from a post I did a couple of years ago on this observance.)

The Most Powerful Lesbian Moms in America

Out magazine just published their third annual list of “The Power 50: The Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America,” which means it’s time for my third annual list of The Most Powerful Lesbian Moms in America.

The definition of “power” is subjective, of course. For the purposes of this list, I considered it to mean someone who is known by a large cross-section of the population, within or outside the lesbian community, is at or near the top of her chosen profession, or who is in some other way a well-known personality and long-time influencer. I aimed for inclusion rather than exclusion, but tried to pick those whose impact in their fields or in the world at large is widespread and lasting. I intend this to be a fun list, not to be taken too seriously, so let me know if I’ve missed anyone you deem worthy.

I’m including the names of partners, even if one person is not as well known, in order to acknowledge the contributions of both people to their households and to each others’ achievements. (I may have missed a few partners, however, if their names are not public, and blurred matters if one partner came along when the children were older. I was not able to find last names and professions for a few others. Someday I’ll be able to hire that research staff.)

Out only has 12 women on their list, two less than last year, so I’m hoping my suggestions may help them find a better balance. If I can come up with the names of over 50 powerful people who are not only lesbians but also moms (a few less if we omit less-known partners), surely Out can add some more lesbians to its Power 50. Out gave more weight to political clout in all its picks, whereas I looked at overall clout, political or professional. And yes, the balance of power still swings male in our society, so maybe it’s not Out’s fault. But still, I can’t believe the balance is so skewed.

I’ll also add that we must each define success for ourselves. It may mean choosing to stay home with one’s children, or to forgo career advancement for the sake of one’s family. For those who strive to achieve in both career and family, however, these moms are inspirational.

Of course, the thing about motherhood is that your kids always think you’re the most powerful mom(s) in the world, and it’s their opinions that really matter.

In alphabetic, not rank, order by last name of the generally more well-known partner: Read the rest of this post »

The Taste of Victory

Just so you know I meant it:

I did indeed make a maple cornbread to celebrate the two great states of Vermont and Iowa. (Click link for recipe.)

And it was delicious.

Where Do You Socialize with LGBT Families?

Let’s do another poll and explore how we build community and friendship:

What Ben and Jerry’s Flavor Means Equality?

Vermont may soon enact marriage equality, according to television station WCAX.

When I think of Vermont, I think of two things first: maple syrup and Ben and Jerry’s.

The question then arises: If you were to suggest a new flavor for Ben and Jerry’s to celebrate equality in their state, what would it be? I’m thinking “Rainbow Sorbet,” but I’m sure you all have other ideas for the company that has flavors like “Imagine Whirled Peace.” (Maybe a variation on an old one: “Chubby Hubby and Hubby”?)

Leave a comment. It’s Friday. Have fun.

That Was No Ladle, That Was My Knife

Just for fun, as a break from all the politics:

A sculptor friend of mine, Julia Levesque, has created an interactive art installation about identity. In it, she asks viewers to share the type of fork, knife, spoon, or other piece of silverware that best represents them. Her Web site explains:

Our terminology for self-description is so fraught with layers of self-consciousness that most people refuse to define themselves for fear of being judged.

Using silverware as the core of a light-hearted, alternate language of self-definition, Ms. Levesque . . . has created this work to connect as many people as possible using a new language that allows for a pure sense of self expression without the pitfalls of the language we commonly use.

She asks that people send her their responses via text, e-mail, or by posting on the blog she has created. All responses will also be printed out and taped to wall where the physical exhibit is located, the Reynolds Center of Babson College, in
Wellesley, MA. The exhibit will be on display there through December 15.

Hope some of you have fun with this. Me? I am a chef’s knife. Multipurpose but with an edge. (Although I almost chose “spork,” just because it’s fun to say.)

A Lesbian Mom Presidential Candidate?

Tired of the election already? Dissatisfied with rhetoric from both parties? Well, there’s a new candidate on the trail, and she appears to be a lesbian mom:

Senator Julia Polonia Foley DeWiki (affectionately known as Mop), born February 29th 1964 is an independent candidate in the election for the US presidency which will be decided by a national vote in 2008. She hails from the great state of Rhode Island where she lives with her 9 children, along with her roommate Talia Jessica Rhonda Falkus, and their 5 dogs, 3 cats, 8 rabbits, 2 guinea pigs and numerous goldfish. . . . Her roommate assists with childcare.

We all know what “roommate” is a euphemism for, right? Read the rest of this post »