Category: Parenting

NEW STUDIES OFFER ESTIMATES OF LGBT POPULATION AND MARRIED SAME-SEX COUPLES

September 29, 2014

New surveys suggest that as many as 9.5 million adults in the US are LGBT | An estimated 124,000 same-sex couples are married and raising more than 30,000 children LOS ANGELES — Two new studies released by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, review findings from four recent large, national, population-based surveys to … More NEW STUDIES OFFER ESTIMATES OF LGBT POPULATION AND MARRIED SAME-SEX COUPLES

Putin’s Immoral Choice | Orphanages vs. Loving Same-Sex Families

October 14, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, October 14, 2013. Russian lawmakers would rather see infants and children starve and suffer neglect, resulting in deformities and attachment disorders than provide these children with the opportunities for love and health.  A picture speaks a million words – how does one grasp what could have been; and why would Russian lawmakers,  … More Putin’s Immoral Choice | Orphanages vs. Loving Same-Sex Families

New Russian Bill Seeks to Take Biological Children Away From Gays and Lesbians

September 6, 2013

Lesbian Activist Speaks about Russia’s Continued Defiance with worsening New Laws Against Gays and asylum being the only answer By Melanie Nathan, September 06, 2013. A Russian lawmaker has proposed a bill that would deny gay parents custody over their children. The draft bill, published on parliament’s website on Thursday, would make the “fact of … More New Russian Bill Seeks to Take Biological Children Away From Gays and Lesbians

Belize gay hate emerges in the form of hanging effigy

July 11, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 11, 2013 LGBT rights issues have been boiling over for a while in Belize.  Caleb Orozco of the The United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) pursued a constitutional challenge of the country’s Section 53 anti-sodomy law, which  we covered here on OBLOGDEE in May (see links below).  Shortly after that court case, the … More Belize gay hate emerges in the form of hanging effigy

Russian bill set to stop adoption to nations allowing same-sex marriage

June 18, 2013

The Bill is based on myth as expounded by Russian Deputy Speaker, who said:  “If a child ends up with a homosexual couple, it could cause severe damage and the child ends up with a distorted perception of reality.” By Melanie Nathan, June 18, 2013. As same-sex marriage is increasing in acceptance around the world, … More Russian bill set to stop adoption to nations allowing same-sex marriage

On Fathers Day NBJC honors the commitment of Black gay, bisexual and trans men

June 16, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 16, 2013. Statement by the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC): Black gay, bisexual and trans fathers, uncles and brothers play many important roles in the Black community. As caregivers, role models, providers, teachers, friends and leaders, Black gay, bisexual and trans men are invaluable threads in the fabric of the … More On Fathers Day NBJC honors the commitment of Black gay, bisexual and trans men

School principal humiliates transgender student

May 19, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 19, 2013. It seems as if  Issak Wolfe has as much of a right as anyone else to expect inclusion in his School’s mission: “The mission of the Red Lion Area School District, in partnership with our communities, is to prepare all students to reach their greatest potential, thus becoming responsible … More School principal humiliates transgender student

Homeless Youth | “Street Child: A Memoir”

May 19, 2013

Award Winning Author Justin Reed Early releases new edition of acclaimed “Street Child: A Memoir”  Continuing National Tour Providing Books at No Cost to Homeless and At-Risk Youth  (& Social Workers) Posted by Cathy Kristofferson , May 19, 2013. Los Angeles, CA, May 10, 2013….This week the acclaimed book “Street Child: A Memoir” was re-released … More Homeless Youth | “Street Child: A Memoir”

Shocking persecution of lesbian couple and mother by Republican Judge

May 17, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 17, 2013. Morality clauses are hardly enforceable in divorce agreements to start with, and so imagine when a Judge knowingly orders such a clause in a divorce judgment that in essence forces partners apart because the law fails to allow them to marry. Well, while the couple in this story is … More Shocking persecution of lesbian couple and mother by Republican Judge

Re-introduction of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act

May 6, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 07, 2013. Tomorrow, the Every Child Deserves a Family Act (ECDF) will be re-introduced in Congress.  The Act would ban discrimination in adoption or foster care placement based on the marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity of the potential parent, or the sexual orientation or gender identity of the child. … More Re-introduction of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act

Janet Porter’s Heather Has 2 Cigarettes Banned by YouTube for Hate Speech

May 2, 2013

Lesbian Mom and LGBT Advocate Melanie Nathan Responds By Melanie Nathan, May 02, 2013. Imagine my disgust when I saw the video below. It felt abusive and its horrendous attempt at parody sickened me, as a lesbian mom. Janet Porter and her clan are touting that gay relationships are 3 times more dangerous than smoking … More Janet Porter’s Heather Has 2 Cigarettes Banned by YouTube for Hate Speech

San Francisco’s Our Family Coalition Survey Needs You Now

April 17, 2013

PLEASE help spread the word By Melanie Nathan, April 17, 2013. Our Family Coalition is a Bay Area organization committed to promoting the equality and well-being of LGBTQ families. The organization  strives to provide programs responsive to the evolving need of the communities they serve. With many challenges ahead,  OFC needs your critical input; they … More San Francisco’s Our Family Coalition Survey Needs You Now

A story from the steps of SCOTUS | Hoping the Justices consider the children hurt by Prop 8

April 4, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 04, 2013. There was no keeping me away from Washington D.C., on Tuesday 26th, the day that The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) would be hearing the Prop 8. arguments.  I was there ‘wearing many hats; activist, blogger, co-producer of Gay U.S.A. the Movie, and the most important of … More A story from the steps of SCOTUS | Hoping the Justices consider the children hurt by Prop 8

National Organization for Marriage insults all adopted children by calling adoption ‘second best’

March 14, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, March 14, 2013. The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) specializes in insults.  Usually such insults are directed at the gay community – our love, our marriages, our families.  But today they struck out against adopted children.  And not just children in gay adoptions, but all adoptions!  NOM’s chairman, John Eastman, said: “Certainly … More National Organization for Marriage insults all adopted children by calling adoption ‘second best’

Judge releases convicted anti-gay pastor who says he would aid in custody kidnapping again

March 5, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, March 05, 2013. A U.S. District Court Judge released convicted felon, Pastor Kenneth Miller, pending his appeal, after he was sentenced to 27 months in prison, for aiding and abetting a mother to flee the U.S. after she had kidnapped her daughter, to defy Court ordered visitation with the other lesbian mother. … More Judge releases convicted anti-gay pastor who says he would aid in custody kidnapping again

Pastor sentenced to federal prison in Vermont lesbian custody dispute

March 4, 2013

Virginia pastor Kenneth Miller receives up to 27 months but is released pending appeal By Cathy Kristofferson, March 04, 2013. The Burlington Free Press is reporting that Virginia pastor Kenneth Miller has been sentenced in the lesbian custody case that led to one mother, Lisa Miller, fleeing the country with the pastor’s help rather than share … More Pastor sentenced to federal prison in Vermont lesbian custody dispute

White House brief to strike down DOMA shows support of same-gender parenting

February 22, 2013

Same-sex couples who have committed to marriage  are  fully capable of responsible parenting and child-rearing. By Melanie Nathan Feb. 22, 2013 President Obama’s administration urged the Supreme Court to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act in a brief filed Friday, declaring the 1996 federal law to be unconstitutional. Arguing that Section 3 of DOMA, … More White House brief to strike down DOMA shows support of same-gender parenting

Atlanta area gay community’s inspiring project to save homeless queer youth

January 29, 2013

Lost-n-Found – A do it yourself homeless queer youth shelter By Cathy Kristofferson, January 29, 2013.  Update Feb. 7 2013: Creating Change ’13 Conference session handout. In the fall of 2011 I saw posts online about a new queer youth shelter opening in Atlanta.  Local homeless queer youth were being turned away from shelters and … More Atlanta area gay community’s inspiring project to save homeless queer youth

Oxford Union Students want gay parents in huge debate win

January 17, 2013

No Scott Lively and “this house would be glad to have gay parents” By Melanie Nathan, January 17, 2012. Gay parenting won the Oxford Union debate this Thursday evening, with a resounding majority happy to have gay parents. The topic “this house would be glad to have gay parents”,  was debated at the traditional Thursday … More Oxford Union Students want gay parents in huge debate win

Uganda’s Parliamentary Process | How Easy to Pass The Anti-Homosexuality Bill

December 1, 2012

As of Dec 03, 2012, this is what is left of the process needed to pass The AHB By Melanie Nathan, December 01, 2012. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill is first on the Order Papers in Uganda’s Parliament and could proceed as early as Monday December 03, 2012.  How long the Bill, otherwise known as The Kill … More Uganda’s Parliamentary Process | How Easy to Pass The Anti-Homosexuality Bill

A Lesbian’s Statement to Uganda’s Parliament and Speaker Kadaga

November 29, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, November 27, 2012. PUBLIC STATEMENT OF MELANIE NATHAN, COMMISSIONER, Mother,  Sister, Daughter, Human Rights Commissioner, Marin County, U.S.A., Family Law Mediator and Human Rights Advocate. Hon. Speaker and Hon. Members of Uganda’s Parliament:- When I was in my early twenties I  realized that I was a lesbian.  I tried marriage to a … More A Lesbian’s Statement to Uganda’s Parliament and Speaker Kadaga

Lesbian Mom Answers Oprah Hurt Me to Oprah’s Weekly Lifeclass Question

October 7, 2012

Oprah Invites Rick Warren to teach Lifeclass – “Oprah perhaps you do not understand the extent to which LGBT Americans are impacted by the denial of our basic civil rights,” Melanie Nathan By Melanie Nathan, Oct 07, 2012. That lesbian mom is me. Oprah’s Lifeclass site asks its usual weekly question  “Are you hurting an … More Lesbian Mom Answers Oprah Hurt Me to Oprah’s Weekly Lifeclass Question

Trial Begins in Ex Lesbian Lisa Miller Child Abduction Case against Accomplice Kenneth Miller

August 9, 2012

Supporters of the accused – call case the “evil Agenda of LGBT advocacy groups “BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS FIGHT AGAINST THE EVIL AGENDA OF HOMOSEXUAL ADVOCACY GROUPS WHO ARE TRYING TO DESTROY GOD’S PERFECT DESIGN FOR THE FAMILY: MARRIAGE=ONE MAN/ONE WOMAN!” Melanie Nathan, August 09, 2012 Jury selection is to begin Tuesday in the criminal … More Trial Begins in Ex Lesbian Lisa Miller Child Abduction Case against Accomplice Kenneth Miller

California Prop 8 on the Way to Victory Revisiting My Child’s Wounds

June 6, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, June 05, 2012 We are on  the home stretch of Proposition 8’s wild ride through the Courts with a set of victories that will either reinstate same-sex marriage for Californians or result in the Supreme Court of the United States hearing the case. I wrote a very personal article back in 2009 … More California Prop 8 on the Way to Victory Revisiting My Child’s Wounds

UNAIDS launches action to end new HIV infections among children by 2015

May 8, 2012

“Believe it. Do it;” Mother’s Day and Magnificent E-Cards By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2012 GENEVA, 8 May 2012—The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today launched a new campaign, “Believe it. Do it.”, aimed at bringing attention and action to the global goal of ending new HIV infections among children by 2015 and … More UNAIDS launches action to end new HIV infections among children by 2015

Anoka-Hennepin School Group Violates Equal Access Laws

April 24, 2012

School Bible Group connected to outside Ministry – with a mission to change “every campus for Christ;” students instructed not to give up until all join, causing student harassment. By Melanie Nathan, April 23, 2012 The Anoka-Hennepin School District in Minnesota may find itself, yet again, at the center of a storm and this one … More Anoka-Hennepin School Group Violates Equal Access Laws