“She Got Me Pregnant”: Episode 72

Helen and I share an inspiring story of high school students who stood up to hate. We then discuss the joys of smaller children’s museums, with some money-saving tips and hints for engaging the kids at museums of all types. We then end our Monday-night filming to go watch Weeds and Nurse Jackie, and promise to bring you more about the lesbian moms who will show up later in the season on the latter.

(If the embedded video above doesn’t work for you, try it here.)

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“She Got Me Pregnant”: Episode 70

Helen and I take to the great outdoors this week to bring you a home improvement edition. Lumber, power tools, rebar, and dirt—what could be better to create both a sandbox and a garden plot? We also discuss how the Prop 8 decision impacts children and invite viewers to participate in the upcoming Blogging for LGBT Families Day.

(If the embedded video above doesn’t work for you, try it here.)

Brought to you in partnership with After Ellen.

Chickens and Eggs

The White House Egg Roll is coming up on Monday. I wrote last week about the Obama administration’s groundbreaking outreach to LGBT families while also questioning their continued reluctance to grant us full equality.

For another perspective (not so different, when you come right down to it), here’s a piece at HuffPo by Alisa Surkis, one of the two moms who brought the idea of organizing LGBT families to attend the White House Easter Egg Roll en masse to Family Equality Council (then Family Pride) in 2006. She asks, “Does society change in response to the signals sent by legislative changes, or do changes in people’s attitudes push forward legislation?”

It’s a good question. I think her answer (which I’ll let you go read at HuffPo) is particularly apt.

If any readers are attending the Egg Roll, feel free to send me photos or stories of your experience. I’d be happy to post them. (Please limit to three photos.)

“She Got Me Pregnant”: Episode 63

What happens when the Massachusetts House Minority Leader visits our home to talk about his bill that could limit the discussion of LGBT families in schools and require parental permission before students participate in gay-straight alliances? Helen and I tell you in our vlog this week.

On a lighter note, we give new meaning to the phrase “parent trap,” and demonstrate what happens when our son decides he wants to play Indiana Jones.

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Where Do You Socialize with LGBT Families?

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

Book Recommendation: Humpty Who?

One added benefit of my trip to New York has been that I had the pleasure of dining last night at Café Forant, the restaurant owned by Lea Forant and Carolyn Montgomery, the lesbian moms of Campbell Soup ad fame. Julien Sharp, whose writing some of you may know from Pam’s House Blend, was kind enough to join me.

The restaurant is a great example of the type of friendly neighborhood restaurant that I miss since leaving the city. Chef Forant knows how to make good food from fresh ingredients—as well as sinfully decadent brownies. Their four-year-old son is just as cute as in the ad.

It turns out, too, that Montgomery is a professional singer. While she does mostly cabaret and jazz, she has also sung on the children’s CD that accompanies Jennifer Griffin’s book Humpty Who?: Crib Sheets for the Nursery for Clueless Moms and Dads. I love the idea: a compilation of 80 nursery rhymes for those of us who have forgotten them by the time we have kids.

Sure, you could Google “Mother Goose,” but this collection goes beyond just the Goose rhymes and includes a variety of poems, chants, and other kiddie songs. It offers insight into the origin (real or hypothetical) of the verses as well as ideas for games to play with your little ones as you sing. The singers on the CD are all moms (plus a chorus of kids), and if the vocal excellence of Montgomery and her companions puts most of us to shame, Griffin urges us to sing anyway, because our kids don’t care. Humpty Who? would make a great gift for new parents of any orientation.

“She Got Me Pregnant”: Episode 54

Helen and I take a post-holiday look at some of our favorite presents of the year, including a new obsession for all the board- and card-game geeks out there (adults and kids), as well as some items for the younger tots. We also thank readers for your more serious parenting questions, and promise to address them in a future vlog. Holidays with a small child precluded giving them the thought they deserve. Please stay tuned!

Watch Mombian: She Got Me Pregnant, 01-08-09 in Family Videos  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

(If the Veoh video above doesn’t work for you, try it at Dailymotion.)

Brought to you in partnership with After Ellen.

Breaking News: Florida Adoption Ban Ruled Unconstitutional

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman today declared Florida’s 30-year-old ban on adoption by gay men and lesbians unconstitutional, saying, “It is clear that sexual orientation is not a predictor of a person’s ability to parent.”

‘Bout time they realized that.

State lawyers have already said they will challenge the decision. At the moment, however, it clears the way for Frank Gill, a gay man from North Miami, to adopt two foster children he has raised since 2004.

(Thanks to the Family Equality Council for the great news.)

Constituting Marriage in the Constitution State

It’s ironic. Voters in the Constitution State last week rejected the possibility of a Constitutional Convention that could have banned marriage of same-sex couples, even as three other states enshrined discrimination in their constitutions.

No, maybe it’s not ironic. Maybe it means Connecticut citizens are more aware of what a constitution is—fundamental rights and governing principles, not bias and the intrusion of specific religious beliefs into the lives of others.

Despite the virulent battles in other states, Nutmeggers seem downright apathetic about it all. The Hartford Courant quotes several citizens: “They could do what they want to do,” says one. “I could care less.” Another adds, “I don’t think it’s a big deal.” State Rep. Michael Lawlor observes, “[Today] will come and go, and I think what kind of puppy Barack Obama will get will be a much bigger topic of conversation in Connecticut than the fact that several dozen couples will get married.”

Some may see that as a statement that our country is going to the dogs. I see it as a statement that the state where I grew up knows true American values. Congratulations to all the same-sex couples in Connecticut who will wed today and in the future.

Weekly Political Roundup

• The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from “ex-lesbian” mom Lisa Miller, who is trying to deny visitation to her former partner, Janet Jenkins. SCOTUS rejected the appeal based on a ruling from the Vermont Supreme Court, where the case was first heard. It must still decide whether to hear a petition in the case based on the Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling that stated Vermont had jurisdiction.
• The Arkansas Family Council has accused the state Department of Human Services of having a “gay agenda,” after the agency repealed a rule banning lesbians, gay men, and unmarried people from fostering children.
• Ellen DeGeneres is giving the No On 8 coalition $100,000 to run the PSA that she recorded against California’s Prop 8. Sen. Joe Biden also appeared on her show, speaking against Prop 8. Read the rest of this post »