same-sex parents

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…

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…

How to Outwit Bullies by a Multi-Millionaire Who was Bullied

Many of my blog posts have mentioned allies to GLBT kids who are bullied: GSLEN (Gay Straight Lesbian Educational Network), PFLAG (Parents of Lesbian and Gays). While these are terrific…

Cyberbullying

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…

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 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…

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…

Suicide Prevention Day Lives On

Last Monday, September 10th, was World Suicide Prevention Day, designated by the World Health Organization to promote world-wide commitment and initiatives to prevent suicide. On that day, the 2012 National…

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,…

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:      …

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,…

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…

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 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…

“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.”…