Straight Parent, Gay Kid
“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…
Vermont Scout Leaders Earn Their Merit Badges
Boy Scouts of America’s Green Mt. Council More GLBT-Friendly Recently, the BSA reaffirmed its decision to ban openly homosexual members and leaders from its organization. This policy offended President Obama, and presidential nominee Mitt Romney as well as Vermont’s Green Mountain Council. BSA, which is supposed to stand for democracy, inclusion, and leadership, has many…
Boy Scouts’ Exclusive Policy
Last week, I posted about the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) ongoing policies that ban homosexual scouts and troop leaders from their organization. Because the Supreme Court found that BSA is a private organization, it can discriminate by limiting their membership, now at 2.7 million youth. The Boy Scout policy states that :”Boy Scouts of…
The Badge of Inequality
To: Bob Mazuca, Chief Scout Executive and BSA National Executive Board From: Robert Paxton, Eagle Scout, Senior Patrol Leader in Troop 409, Wausau, WI Brotherhood Member in Order of the Arrow Dated: July 23, 2012 “Today, I’m returning my Eagle Scout as it has become a badge of shame. Until the day comes that…
“The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant”
Hallelujah! The same church that elected the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson nine years ago, has, on July 10th, voted in support of a new church ceremony which will be used for the blessing of same-sex unions. This same-sex blessing is called “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant” and is intended…
“Not With a Bang, but a Whimper”
Out of Town and The Closet “ The fact is, I’m gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.” So writes CNN anchor Anderson Cooper to his friend Andrew Sullivan, editor of “The Daily Beast” (http://The Daily Beast, 07/02/12 Anderson Cooper: “The Fact Is,…