Straight Parent, Gay Kid
I Am Grateful for More Than The Norman Rockwell Scene
“With Heart, And Hands, And Voices… Whose Wondrous Things Have Done…”In two days, I will preside over my great grandfather’s dining table laden with pumpkins, gravy-stained linen, and all those good carbs as I share it with my children and my husband’s siblings (well, two out of three). We will bless the food, thank God…
Slouching Towards Universal Gay Marriage
Prior to Election night 2012, gay marriage had been defeated every time it has been on a ballot in the U.S. In Maine, voters in 2009 overturned a law passed by the state legislature that permitted it. Thirty-two states followed suit and voted it down. The six states that allowed gay marriage were decided by…
Guest Post on Cyberbullying by Jessica Simmons
Today’s guest post is by Jessica Simmons, a graduate student and Yale University research assistant. Jessica is a board member of Connecticut’s GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Education Network) that promotes safety in schools. She runs the website: http://MyKindnessCounts.com, a platform for youth to share experiences about bullying, and more importantly, positive actions, resulting from…
Celebrate National Coming Out Day on October 11, 2012
What is NCOD? October 11, 2012 is National Coming Out Day, celebrated in the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom (the latter on October 12th). The purpose of this day is to promote government and public awareness of gay, bisexual, lesbian, transsexual (GBLT) rights and to celebrate homosexuality. On this…
“The New Normal” Isn’t That New
The story line of “The New Normal“ would probably not have been written before this year: a gay wealthy couple are paying $35,000 to have a surrogate mother have their baby. Created by an out writer and a lesbian mom who had success with “Glee,”(popular with both straights and gays alike), “The New Normal” aired…
Small Efforts Can Make a Big Difference
As you know from my last blog post, September is National Suicide Prevention Month. The leading national organization focused on suicide prevention, The Trevor Project , has launched a campaign to encourage conversation and support for the GLBTQ population. Celebrities Endorse “ Talk To Me “ Campaign With Kevin McHale of Glee fame as a…
Get Thee to a Shrink
It is not uncommon for a parent of a recently out child, to want to take him/her to a mental health professional. Every parent wants his child to be happy, and you may be assuming because he/she is gay, that they have deep-rooted problems. While this may seem altruistic and responsible on your part, to…
Response to Jane Clementi’s article in New York Times, 8/25/12
Re: “After a Son’s Suicide, a Mother Finds Blame in Herself and in Her Church,” New York Times/8/25/12“ A hypothetical open letter to Mrs.Clementi Dear Mrs. Clementi: I was saddened to read your comments in the above article. As the mother of a 29 year-old gay son, I share your concerns. For…