Proud Parenting

LGBTQ Parents - Lesbian Moms & Gay Dads

Hawaii and Delaware begin to allow same-sex civil unions

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Hawaii and Delaware join the list of states which recognize same-sex civil unions. Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island already recognize civil unions providing state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples. Six other states and Washington, D.C. allow same-sex marriage – creating a patchwork of U.S. legislation for same-sex couples who want to legalize their unions. Marriage licenses are given to same-sex couples in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and D.C. California’s struggle for marriage equality is stayed pending an appeal.

[CNN.com]

Blue Cross will cover HPV vaccine for males

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Proud Parenting recently posted that the HPV vaccine works for gay males. Now Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has announced it will start covering the human papilloma virus vaccine for males. The other major insurers in the state already pay for boys and young men to get the vaccine, which costs nearly $400 for the three shots required for full protection. HPV causes anal and throat cancers in both genders. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the vaccine for teenage boys and men up to age 26. “It is our understanding that the CDC is expected to recommend the use of this vaccine in males at its October meeting,’’ Blue Cross Blue Shield spokesman Jay McQuaide said in e-mail. “In anticipation of the CDC taking this expected step in October, we are beginning the process to cover the vaccine in males.’’

[via Boston.com]

‘No Hate Space’ teaches Massachusetts high school students about bullying

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Anything that makes someone feel mistreated by others in the school community (not only physical but any form of social, emotional or verbal abuse) can be defined as “bullying”.

At a different type of high school assembly, Northampton High School students shared experiences of bullying. Two students who both have lesbian moms, shared real-life experiences such as anti-gay slurs in the school’s hallways. Students clapped and cheered both students on when they kindly asked their schoolmates to choose their words more carefully.

Students were then asked to closed their eyes while being asked a series of questions: Have you ever been the target of gossip? Have you ever been the target of a joke? Have you ever been excluded? Have you been called a derogatory name? Have you been pushed, shoved or intimidated? At the end of the questioning, about three-quarters of the students raised their hands to say “yes”, and when they were instructed to open their eyes and look around, a quiet hum filled the air as they reacted.

“Northampton, [Mass.] has some of the nicest kids in the state and I’m proud to work here, but as you can see we are not immune to being mean,” said Karen Jarvis-Vance, the director of health services, health education and safety at Northampton schools and the creator of Northampton High School’s bullying intervention plan.

[via GazetteNET]

Cape Cod couple helps parents of gay youth

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Amy Mesirow and her husband got involved with the struggles of gay youth when their son came out to them three years ago. They assured him of their love immediately, but found they needed help for themselves. Mesirow is now a board member of PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays), as well as at Cape & Islands Gay & Straight Alliance, which runs a safe house for youths 22 and under in Hyannis. To their own surprise, they hid their own internal turmoil and grief. “My husband and I are both very liberal socially, support gay marriage and all that,” Amy said, but finding out someone is gay is “totally different when it’s your own child. It’s almost like a death,” Mesirow said. It’s the loss of a vision that you have of your child’s future, that they will live a life like your own, with a spouse and children.”

[via Telegram.com]

Take your family to the Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley

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Marriage equality has helped Massachusetts earn over $111 million since 2004. The state recently celebrated the six-year anniversary of its first same-sex marriage license, and gay couples are moving to Massachusetts in droves.

Why not visit Massachusetts with your family – and enjoy a liberal, relaxed, and welcoming environment?

The Connecticut River passes through a region in Western Massachusetts known as Pioneer Valley. The area consists of three beautiful counties. The city of Springfield, college towns of Northampton and Amherst – plus some impressive historic villages are thriving in the Valley.

Family attractions like arts and culture, awesome outdoor recreation and great shopping help make the Pioneer Valley a consummate destination for a long weekend or full vacation. Fish, boat, bike, hike and camp during the spring and summer. You’ll find winter sports during certain months too. Getting around the region is easy, thanks to major interstate highways 90 and 91, as well as scenic country roads.

Out In The Park at Six Flags New England has been a major event for the GLBT community for over a decade. Six Flags is located in Agawam, Massachusetts. Over 10,000 people attended last year, and this year will be the 3rd Annual Private Party at the amusement park. Bring your family to Out In The Park this year Sunday, September 19. Purchase an Out in the Park Day Package online.

Springfield’s Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level worldwide – professional, collegiate, men and women. Check it out!

Yankee Candle Village – in South Deerfield – is one of New England’s most popular destinations. The Village offers a unique shopping, entertainment, and dining experience. Explore the largest selection of Yankee Candle fragrances and styles. Stroll through the Bavarian Christmas Village, Nutcracker Castle, and Home Store. Try the freshly made fudge and other sweet treats in the Fudge Shop. And guests can dip their own candles in the Candlemaking Museum. Yankee Candle Village is open daily.

Visit the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Theodor Seuss Geisel was born in Springfield, and the town is considered inspiration for most of his work. Sculptor Lark Grey Dimond-Cates, who is also Geisel’s step-daughter, created the bronze sculptures of Dr. Seuss and most of his characters for the Springfield Library & Museums Association.

And stop by Deerfield’s Memorial Hall Museum & Children’s Museum – which is presented in the former Deerfield Academy 18th century brick school building. You’ll find American antiques – dolls, furniture, art, portraits, and Native American artifacts – displayed in nineteen galleries. Open daily May through October, 11AM – 5PM.

Look for museum-quality crafts, art and sculpture at the Paradise City Arts Festival, October 9, 10 & 11, in Northampton, MA. 275 exhibitors from over 40 states!

And don’t miss the Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA – September 17 through October 3. Also known as The Big E, New England’s Autumn Tradition and the largest fair in the northeast – with top name entertainment, major exhibits, The Big E Super Circus, New England history and agriculture, animals, rides, shopping, and a daily parade.

Pioneer Valley welcomes everyone and invites your family to visit any time.

Massachusetts seeks reversal of Defense of Marriage Act

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Massachusetts could lose millions in funding – due to the Defense of Marriage Act – if it allows Army veteran Darrel Hopkins [65] and his husband Tom Casey Hopkins [58] to be buried in a veterans’ cemetery in Winchendon. The couple has approval from the Massachusetts state Department of Veterans’ Services to be buried in the cemetery.

The Boston Globe reports:

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, a Boston nonprofit, is representing the plaintiffs in the suit argued earlier this month. GLAD helped win the lawsuit that resulted in the landmark 2003 decision by the Supreme Judicial Court legalizing gay marriage in Massachusetts.

Andrew Koppelman, a Northwestern University law professor and an authority on same-sex marriage laws, said the plaintiffs in both suits before Tauro have made strong arguments that could prompt the judge to strike down the law.

“Given how similar the theories are, it would be very strange if the state won and GLAD lost, or vice versa, because they’re both relying on the same equal-protection claim,’’ he said

Two moms married in Massachusetts cannot get a divorce in Texas

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Two Texas moms got married in Massachusetts but separated in 2007. They worked out a custody arrangement for their 4 1/2-year old adopted son – but the state of Texas says a same-sex marriage can’t be dissolved with a divorce there because Texas doesn’t offer marriage equality.

The Associated Press reports:

A judge in Austin granted the divorce, but Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is appealing the decision. He also is appealing a divorce granted to a gay couple in Dallas, saying protecting the “traditional definition of marriage” means doing the same for divorce.

Anti-bullying struggles for support in Massachusetts

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ABC News reports national studies show that 27 percent of kids in grades 6 through 12 say they have been bullied in the last 30 days. And 8 percent of American 8th graders reporting missing one day of school per month because of bullying.

A survey just released by the Massachusetts Advocates for Children showed that of the 400 parents surveyed, almost 90 percent reported that their child had been bullied sometime in the past year.

And a study released by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network last year showed that 9 out of 10 gay and lesbian students reported experiencing harassment at school.

Despite the major problem – there are eight states that do not have anti-bullying laws on the books. Massachusetts is one of them. Dozens of bills have come before the Massachusetts state legislature in the past few years but all failed in part because teachers, principals and lawmakers can be at odds over how to solve the problem. Educators often argue that existing harassment and assault laws can be used to prevent bullying, and legislators taking a cue from their constituents, are clearly anxious to enact new laws.

Gay activists call for equal protection in D.C. March

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Tens of thousands of gay rights supporters rallied in the nation’s capital Sunday, marching from the White House to the Capitol demanding federal action on a whole host of issues from workplace discrimination to marriage.

The march was first announced earlier this year by famed activist Cleve Jones at Utah’s gay pride parade and on Sunday, Jones said the goal was nothing less than full equality on every issue in every state.

Organizers and many of the participants appreciated the incremental steps in states such as Massachusetts, Iowa and Maine on the issue of marriage, but they demand big changes on the federal level.

Image: Circle Surrogacy’s Ron Poole-Dayan and family in front of the White House

10/11/2009
Barney Frank: National Equality March is ‘a waste of time’

The AP reports that Barney Frank believes a gay rights march on Washington this weekend is “a waste of time at best.”

Representative Frank said Sunday’s National Equality March was “an emotional release.” But he said directly lobbying representatives and senators would be much a more effective way to achieve change.

Frank said the only thing marchers are putting pressure on “is the grass.”

Congressman Barney Frank represents the Fourth Congressional District of Massachusetts.

On his website, Frank says: The most effective way to get your point across is to write or call your own Congressman and your Senators. Members of the House of Representatives represent residents of specific geographical areas. Given the high volume of work their small staffs must accomplish, members are simply not able to fully respond to residents of other states and districts.

10/7/2009
March & Rally for Equality!

The AP outlines the demands from those rallying in the nation’s capital this weekend.

A Democrat in the White House. Demands for sweeping civil rights protections. Religious opponents working to undo a string of state-based victories.

That was the backdrop in 1979 when gay rights activists staged their first national march in Washington. Thirty years later, with the landscape looking much the same, thousands of advocates are preparing to rally again in the nation’s capital this weekend.

And they are demanding many of the same things: a bill to outlaw job discrimination based on gender, a law that would treat attacks on gays as federal hate crimes, and a presidential order allowing gays to serve openly in the military.

“Thirty years ago was our introduction to the nation. It was ‘These are the things we stand for and are about,'” said David Mixner, a former adviser to President Bill Clinton. “This march, more than any other, is a declaration that we are a full-fledged civil rights movement, we are here to win our freedom now and we won’t wait any longer.”

Organizers of Sunday’s National Equality March say that with President Barack Obama encouraging gay activists to keep pressure on him and Congress, it’s time to make another show of visibility as they did at marches in 1987, 1993 and 2000.

8/10/2009
National Equality March has support of HRC and NGLTF – or does it?

Our friends at Queerty are following developments of the National Equality March [NEM] – scheduled for the second week of October – in D.C.

Latest news being reported includes March leader Cleve Jones – who says he and his team have raised $150,000 for the event. Jones also says he has the support of national gay rights groups, like the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force.

Queerty says: This would be significant – if it were true.

“This isn’t to say HRC and NGLTF won’t end up support the march. But HRC, for one, is busy with its own travels. That, and a previous statement from HRC seemed to conveniently shrug off any notion it would back NEM. And NGLTF was basically a no: ‘National marches can certainly have a community-building impact when energized participants return to their hometowns and get involved, but in an economic downturn – when resources are extremely limited for individuals and organizations, and critical work remains to be done locally – focusing on grassroots organizing at home is all the more critical.'”

7/13/2009
Cleve Jones leads National Equality March

Cleve Jones – friend of the late Harvey Milk – is excited about a new generation of gay activists who have embraced him as a mentor.

He’s leading the effort for the National Equality March – scheduled for the second week of October in D.C.

His goal is to build an army of activists drawn from each of the nation’s 435 congressional districts. Afterward, participants will be sent home to pressure their representatives and the White House into removing the remaining barriers to gay equality, such as the policy that prevents gays from serving openly in the military.

If successful, Jones’ vision would represent a sea change in the gay rights movement’s strategy of securing victories piecemeal on the local or state level.

6/09
GLBT National March for Equality: October 11, 2009

A group of GLBT organizers are planning to gather in Washington DC on October 10 and 11, 2009 – with hope of attracting fair-minded citizens from across the country. The group wants to remind elected leaders that now is the time for full equal rights for GLBT people. The hope is to leave the event energized and empowered to do the work that needs to be done in hometowns across the nation.

Activist Cleve Jones appears to be leading the effort. Joe. My. God. offers an interview with Jones about the event: “As to the cost of putting on the weekend, Jones stresses that the MOW will be a stripped down, no frills, purely activism-focused event. ‘This will not be a three day mulit-media spectacular’ he said. ‘Most of the hundreds of protests I’ve organized cost nothing. We will have a minimal stage, a sound system, and enough port-a-potties for the crowd. That’s it. We won’t be flying in celebrities and putting them up in fancy hotels. This will be a two hour march, then a two hour rally, and then sending everybody home to their congressional districts to organize for 2010.'”

NationalEqualityMarch.com will be updated as more information is available. According to its website, the march will be organized in a grassroots manner, and details will be shared on the website.

From NationalEqualityMarch.com:

Our single demand: Equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.

Our philosophy: As members of every race, class, faith, and community, we see the struggle for LGBT equality as part of a larger movement for peace and social justice.

Our strategy: Decentralized organizing for this march in every one of the 435 Congressional districts will build a network to continue organizing beyond October.

Email Contact: info@nationalequalitymarch.com

Rachel Maddow: “Turns out gay marriage is a ‘defense of marriage’ act.”

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Rachel Maddow points out that since gay people started getting married in Massachusetts five years ago, divorce rates have descended to pre-1940 levels.

Says Maddow: “Turns out gay marriage is a ‘defense of marriage’ act.”

According to her website, Rachel has a doctorate in political science [she was a Rhodes Scholar] and a background in HIV/AIDS activism and prison reform. She shakes a mean cocktail, drives a bright red pickup, hates Coldplay, loves arguing with conservatives, spends a lot of money on AMTRAK tickets, and dresses like a first-grader.

Rachel’s work with MSNBC began in 2005 when she was a regular contributor to “The Situation with Tucker Carlson.” She was also a regular commentator and occasional guest host on “Race for the White House with David Gregory,” and a frequent guest and sometime guest host on “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” before taking the helm of her own MSNBC TV show in September of 2008. She’s also been on the air with Air America Radio since its inception in Spring 2004, first on “Unfiltered” with Lizz Winstead and Chuck D, and then with her own eponymous show. Before AAR she worked for WRNX in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and WRSI in Northampton, Massachusetts. There was also an early stint with a jungle-themed company called Expresso Bongo, but she doesn’t want to talk about it.

Rachel is 36 years old and lives in New York City and rural Western Massachusetts with her partner, artist Susan Mikula.

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