Comments on: a story every LGBTQ parent MUST read http://www.familypride.org/blog/2007/09/a-story-every-lgbtq-parent-must-read.html love. justice. family. equality. Tue, 7 Oct 2008 18:35:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Dele http://www.familypride.org/blog/2007/09/a-story-every-lgbtq-parent-must-read.html#comment-4057 Dele Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:12:24 +0000 http://www.familypride.org/blog/2007/09/a-story-every-lgbtq-parent-must-read.html#comment-4057 Wow, that story gave me shivers. As lesbian moms of an adopted son, we have always feared this sort of thing, too. Lucky for us, we live in California and we have had very little of this type inquisition about our parenthood. Our son has had several medical issues---nothing serious, just allergies and the usual kid stuff---- so the good part of this is that all the doctors know us. If we were to have an emergency out of our aren, God only knows what might happen. I am scared, annoyed and outraged. Best of luck to you! We'll be thinking of you. I hope your son is doing much better!!!!!!! Wow, that story gave me shivers. As lesbian moms of an adopted son, we have always feared this sort of thing, too. Lucky for us, we live in California and we have had very little of this type inquisition about our parenthood. Our son has had several medical issues—nothing serious, just allergies and the usual kid stuff—- so the good part of this is that all the doctors know us. If we were to have an emergency out of our aren, God only knows what might happen. I am scared, annoyed and outraged.

Best of luck to you! We’ll be thinking of you. I hope your son is doing much better!!!!!!!

]]> By: Jeff Friedman http://www.familypride.org/blog/2007/09/a-story-every-lgbtq-parent-must-read.html#comment-4053 Jeff Friedman Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:30:38 +0000 http://www.familypride.org/blog/2007/09/a-story-every-lgbtq-parent-must-read.html#comment-4053 David- Thank you for posting my story. Your readers should know that I have already contacted the NYCLU (New York Civil Liberties Union). They have been in contact with the hospital and are awaiting a response. There admittance practices need to be re-evaluated and corrected. All LGBT parents should know their rights when it comes to hospital procedures. I will update you with the hospital's response. David-

Thank you for posting my story. Your readers should know that I have already contacted the NYCLU (New York Civil Liberties Union). They have been in contact with the hospital and are awaiting a response. There admittance practices need to be re-evaluated and corrected. All LGBT parents should know their rights when it comes to hospital procedures. I will update you with the hospital’s response.

]]> By: Dana http://www.familypride.org/blog/2007/09/a-story-every-lgbtq-parent-must-read.html#comment-4044 Dana Mon, 17 Sep 2007 01:07:51 +0000 http://www.familypride.org/blog/2007/09/a-story-every-lgbtq-parent-must-read.html#comment-4044 This is a frightening story. I think it is also vital for same-sex couples in states that in some cases allow both partners names to go on a birth certificate without needing an adoption (CA, MA, NJ) to heed the advice of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (cited below from an interview at <a href="http://www.mombian.com/2007/01/30/interview-with-cathy-sakimura-of-the-national-center-for-lesbian-rights/" rel="nofollow">Mombian</a> with Cathy Sakimura, Equal Justice Works Fellow at NCLR): <blockquote>We do strongly recommend that everyone who is not a biological parent obtain an adoption or court order of parentage, even in states such as Massachusetts. If you do not have such a judgment, it is possible that you will experience difficulties in having your parent-child relationship honored when traveling to other states and countries or when dealing with the federal government. If the federal government does not legally recognize you as a parent, your children would be ineligible for social security benefits in the event of your death, you would not be able to obtain a passport for your child without your child’s legally recognized parent, and your children may be denied other federal benefits.</blockquote> This is a frightening story.

I think it is also vital for same-sex couples in states that in some cases allow both partners names to go on a birth certificate without needing an adoption (CA, MA, NJ) to heed the advice of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (cited below from an interview at Mombian with Cathy Sakimura, Equal Justice Works Fellow at NCLR):

We do strongly recommend that everyone who is not a biological parent obtain an adoption or court order of parentage, even in states such as Massachusetts. If you do not have such a judgment, it is possible that you will experience difficulties in having your parent-child relationship honored when traveling to other states and countries or when dealing with the federal government. If the federal government does not legally recognize you as a parent, your children would be ineligible for social security benefits in the event of your death, you would not be able to obtain a passport for your child without your child’s legally recognized parent, and your children may be denied other federal benefits.

]]> By: Luis http://www.familypride.org/blog/2007/09/a-story-every-lgbtq-parent-must-read.html#comment-4040 Luis Sun, 16 Sep 2007 21:45:39 +0000 http://www.familypride.org/blog/2007/09/a-story-every-lgbtq-parent-must-read.html#comment-4040 David thanks for posting this article. Outrage doesn't even begin to describe the feelings that I initially felt while I was reading this article. Now my outrage is subsequently replaced by feelings of determination. Determination to live to see the day that this never happens again to ANY LGBT families in this country again. Things have changed a lot over the past several decades and we have to work continuously to keep that change going forward. This can only be achieved by being OUT as LGBT headed families and letting the world around us see that as a fact and that we expect and deserve all of the same legal rights and privileges as any other family. On what "legal" basis can they possibly deny us these same rights and privileges readily enjoyed by others? Just because they are greater in numbers than we are? Just because the "status quo" says that "It's always been that way" and that's the way that things have to be? B.S. Can't humanity evolve and grow as it learns new things about itself through scientific advancements and discoveries? I say, “Yes!” I believe that there is hope. And it's this hope that keeps me moving forward. Hoping for a better future. For my children and myself. David thanks for posting this article. Outrage doesn’t even begin to describe the feelings that I initially felt while I was reading this article. Now my outrage is subsequently replaced by feelings of determination.

Determination to live to see the day that this never happens again to ANY LGBT families in this country again. Things have changed a lot over the past several decades and we have to work continuously to keep that change going forward.

This can only be achieved by being OUT as LGBT headed families and letting the world around us see that as a fact and that we expect and deserve all of the same legal rights and privileges as any other family. On what “legal” basis can they possibly deny us these same rights and privileges readily enjoyed by others? Just because they are greater in numbers than we are? Just because the “status quo” says that “It’s always been that way” and that’s the way that things have to be? B.S.

Can’t humanity evolve and grow as it learns new things about itself through scientific advancements and discoveries? I say, “Yes!”

I believe that there is hope. And it’s this hope that keeps me moving forward.

Hoping for a better future. For my children and myself.

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