UTAH: Lesbian Moms Win Birth Certificate Battle With State

Via the Salt Lake Tribune:

A federal judge said Wednesday that Utah must recognize the rights of a married lesbian couple by issuing a birth certificate for their infant daughter that lists both of the women as legal parents. "The state has failed to show any legitimate reason, actually any reason at all, for not treating a female spouse in a same-sex marriage the same as a male spouse in an opposite-sex marriage with regard to be recognized as the legal parent" when the child has been conceived with donated sperm, U.S. District Judge Dee Benson said. The ruling in the case of Angela and Kami Roe is the first in the wake of the June U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex unions in all 50 states, attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union said.

Important: "Utah's assisted-reproduction statute addresses only donated sperm, not a woman's egg or surrogacy, so the decision does not affect married gay men."

Editorial Of The Day

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

In rapid succession, the official Utah position on same-sex marriage has gone from mainstream conservative to merely retrograde to downright nasty. The arguments put forth Thursday by Utah’s hired legal eagles in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals will soon be brushed aside, if not by that tribunal, then by the U.S. Supreme Court, and by the march of human progress. Meanwhile, the state is engaged in a rear-guard action against families it does not like. It is trying to block the adoption petitions filed by at least two of the some 1,200 same-sex couples who were legally wed after Judge Robert J. Shelby ruled in December that Utah’s Amendment 3, banning same-sex marriage in the state, was unconstitutional. The fact that the state is going out of its way to stop the legal formation of two — or more — secure, intact and loving families clearly puts the lie to the argument that the official defense of Amendment 3 is not, in lawyer-speak, "animus" against same-sex couples and their households, but a reasonable state effort to encourage the legal formation of, well, secure, intact and loving families.

Read the full editorial.

Dancing Dads

Tipped by JMG reader Will.

PhoboQuotable - Tony Perkins

"CNN gave homosexual activists the gift of a free hour-long infomercial last night--in the form of a primetime special about homosexual parents called Gary and Tony Have a Baby. Actually, it should have been called Gary and Tony Buy a Baby. As viewers learned, the two homosexual men first purchase human eggs from an egg donor; use the sperm of one of them for in vitro fertilization; and finally rent the womb of a surrogate to bear the baby. The total cost runs a cool $160,000. The closest that host Soledad O'Brien came to raising an ethical question was to ask why the couple didn't adopt instead. Not once did they explain why the process involved 14 eggs and two embryos--but only one baby.

"It was obvious throughout the that these men are political activists for the homosexual cause (even using the newborn as a prop at a same-sex 'marriage' rally). Meanwhile, the only reference to people who oppose same-sex 'marriage' (which, incidentally, is at least 70 percent of the American population), was to express fear that one of them would physically harm the baby. Equally tragic, one of the men said that no one has ever given him a reason why their lifestyle choice is harmful. Here's one--they are deliberately and permanently depriving this child of a mother. CNN seems content to tug at the heartstrings rather than report the news. They imply that the "love" or affection that these men feel for each other and for the baby that they've manufactured is enough. Love is important, but it isn't sufficient. Social science proves that children suffer from not having a married mom and dad, so why is CNN promoting two people who would deliberately put their baby in that situation?" - Family Research Council douchenozzle Tony Perkins.

Tomorrow At 8PM: CNN's Gary & Tony Have A Baby

Last week Father Tony and I attended a preview screening of CNN's gay parenting documentary Gary & Tony Have A Baby, which follows New Yorkers Gary Spino and Tony Brown from finding an egg donor, to hiring a surrogate mother, to the eventual birth of their son. The couple's journey is expensive and trying, but ultimately quite sweet, even if it's a route that few gay couples could ever afford.

The film is part of CNN's Gay In America series and last week's screening was co-hosted by CNN reporter (and the documentary's narrator), Soledad O'Brien, as well as GLAAD executive director Jarrett Barrios. I have to give CNN big props for tackling this project, which involved filming in multiple states over more than a year. In addition to the big PR push for tomorrow's night's showing at 8PM, they've created an teacher's guide for high schools and colleges.

GLAAD's Jarrett Barrios, who has two adoptive sons of his own, stressed to me that while the vast majority of gay couples use other methods to create their families, Gary & Tony Have A Baby is nevertheless a very positive look at a gay parenthood. The trailer is here and below are just a few photos I took at the screening.

President Obama Mentions Gay Dads In Father's Day Proclamation

As he did for gay moms in his Mother's Day message, President Obama mentions gay dads in his Father's Day proclamation. An excerpt:

Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by a father and mother, a single father, two fathers, a step father, a grandfather, or caring guardian. We owe a special debt of gratitude for those parents serving in the United States Armed Forces and their families, whose sacrifices protect the lives and liberties of all American children. For the character they build, the doors they open, and the love they provide over our lifetimes, all our fathers deserve our unending appreciation and admiration.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972, as amended (36 U.S.C. 109), do hereby proclaim June 20, 2010, as Father's Day. I direct the appropriate officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on this day, and I call upon all citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. Let us honor our fathers, living and deceased, with all the love and gratitude they deserve.

Father's Day is tomorrow.

PhoboQuotable - Wendy Wright

"That proves the prejudice and bias of the study. This study was clearly designed to come out with one outcome -- to attempt to sway people that children are not detrimentally affected in a homosexual household. You have to be a little suspicious of any study that says children being raised by same-sex couples do better or have superior outcomes to children raised with a mother and father. It just defies common sense and reality." - Concerned Women for America head Wendy Wright, complaining that a gay parenting study was funded by gay advocacy groups.

The study, which was released yesterday, claims that lesbian parents tend to turn out children with fewer behavioral problems.

NEW STUDY: Lesbians Raise Better Kids

According to a just published 20 year study, lesbians tend to be fantastic parents. But you knew that.

When compared to teens of the same age, adolescents raised by lesbian parents are doing just fine socially, psychologically and academically, new research finds. Not only that, they have fewer social problems, and less aggressive and rule-breaking behaviors than other teens. The nearly 20-year study has followed 78 teens since their lesbian mothers were planning their pregnancies, and concluded that these children "demonstrate healthy psychological adjustment." These findings stand in contrast to what some vocal opponents of gay or lesbian parents might have expected.

"One of the things that opponents of the equalities of gays and lesbians -- in marriage, parenting, adoption and foster care -- often bring up is the so-called gold standard of parenting, which defined by them is the traditional family where children are conceived in traditional ways and not through insemination or surrogates. But, when we compared the adolescents in our study to the so-called gold standard, we found the teens with lesbian mothers were actually doing better," said study author Dr. Nanette Gartrell, the Williams Distinguished Scholar at the University of California Los Angeles School of Law.

The study's authors say they expect that a study of gay male parents would yield similar results.

The Gayken On The View

Clay Aiken appeared on The View yesterday to talk about why he came out when he did and about being a new dad. This clip concludes with Aiken's performance of Unchained Melody, which is from his new album, Tried & True.

People en Español Features Gay Dad Ricky Martin On Father's Day Issue

Via Andres Duque at Blabbeando, who says: "How great is it that the editors of one of the most widely read Spanish-language magazines in the United States would deem it fit to honor Ricky Martin and his parenting as an openly gay man and, in doing so, highlight gay parenting in general? Appropriately, I also happened to come upon this story today on what a number of bloggers are celebrating as the 5th Annual Blogging for LGBT Families Day." Duque notes that the editor of People en Español is also an openly gay man with two kids of his own.

Obama Acknowledges Gay Moms

In a Mother's Day proclamation issued by the White House on Friday, President Obama included two-mom families in his list of recognitions. An excerpt:

Whether adoptive, biological, or foster, mothers share an unbreakable bond with their children, and Americans of all ages and backgrounds owe them an immeasurable debt.

Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by two parents, a single mother, two mothers, a step-mom, a grandmother, or a guardian. Mother's Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate these extraordinary caretakers, mentors, and providers who have made us who we are. As we honor today's mothers, we also reflect upon the memory of those who have passed, and we renew our commitment to living the values they cultivated in us.

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 770), has designated the second Sunday in May each year as "Mother's Day" and requested the President to call for its appropriate observance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 9, 2010, as Mother's Day. Let us express our deepest love and thanks to our mothers and remember those who, though no longer with us, inspire us still.

Towleroad has the full proclamation.

HomoQuotable - Ricky Martin

"If someone asked me today, 'Ricky, what are you afraid of?' I would answer 'the blood that runs through the streets of countries at war, child slavery, terrorism, the cynicism of some people in positions of power, the misinterpretation of faith.' But fear of my truth? Not at all! On the contrary, it fills me with strength and courage. This is just what I need especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook teach me new things every day. To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids where born with.

"Enough is enough. This has to change. This was not supposed to happen 5 or 10 years ago, it is supposed to happen now. Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment. These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn't even know existed. What will happen from now on? It doesn't matter. I can only focus on what's happening to me in this moment.

"The word 'happiness' takes on a new meaning for me as of today. It has been a very intense process. Every word that I write in this letter is born out of love, acceptance, detachment and real contentment. Writing this is a solid step towards my inner peace and vital part of my evolution. I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am." - Ricky Martin, finally coming out. Overdue, yes, but as these announcements go, it's a damn good one.

RELATED: Ricky Martin will be an honoree at amfAR's NYC gala on June 3rd. Kylie Minogue will host the event.

Colorado Catholic School Bans Preschooler Because He Has Two Mommies

The reporter notes that the Archdiocese told school employees not to discuss the decision, but some did come forward to express outrage.

(Via - Queerty)

Arrest Warrant Issued For Lisa Miller

A Vermont judge has issued an arrest warrant for Lisa Miller, the "ex-gay" mother who disappeared late last year after custody of her daughter was awarded to her lesbian ex-partner.

Family Court Judge William Cohen found Lisa Miller of Forest, Va., in contempt of court during a hearing Tuesday and issued the arrest warrant. Miller was ordered to surrender custody of her daughter on Jan. 1 but failed to do so and has since disappeared. Their daughter is now considered a missing person. Miller and Jenkins got a civil union in Vermont in 2000, had the baby two years later and broke up in 2003. Miller moved to Virginia, where she renounced homosexuality and became an evangelical Christian.

The anti-gay Liberty Counsel has been advising Miller and is thought by some (including me) to be accomplices in the kidnapping of her daughter. They remain silent as to the pair's whereabouts.

Lisa Miller Gets Another Month To Hide

A family court judge in Virginia has given Lisa Miller another 30 days to appear with her 7 year-old daughter or face arrest. Presumably aided by the anti-gay Liberty Counsel, Miller went into hiding last month after a Vermont judge awarded custody of her daughter to Miller's lesbian ex-partner, Janet Jenkins. After "renouncing" her homosexuality and finding Jeebus, Miller had fled to Virginia upon the advice of Christianist lawyers who told her that state was the least likely to honor custody judgments from Vermont. The lawyers, obviously, were correct.

Virginia Police Issue Missing Persons Report For Lisa Miller And Daughter

"Ex-gay" Lisa Miller and her daughter Isabella remain on the lam, one week after a Vermont judge ordered Miller to surrender custody of Isabella to Miller's ex-partner, Janet Jenkins. Yesterday the Bedford County, Virginia sheriff's office issued a missing persons report for the pair, saying that while no Virginia laws have been broken, they do want proof that the pair is safe.

However on Monday the Virginia Civil Liberty Union reported that a local court order has been issued requiring that Miller surrender the child. The VCLU says they fully expect Virginian authorities to enforce the order. But on Wednesday, a Rutland Family Court judge said he wants to "hear all arguments" before issuing any arrest warrant. That hearing is scheduled for January 22nd. Miller's lawyers, the anti-gay Liberty Counsel, home to bigots Mat Staver and Matt Barber, have appealed the original Vermont ruling, but have remained silent on the Virginia court order. In fact, they have been "unavailable for comment" ever since Miller and her daughter went into hiding.

According to earlier reports, Lisa Miller specifically chose to flee to Virginia because "pro-family" lawyers had advised her that was the state least likely to abide by the Vermont ruling. With the Rutland County judge dragging his feet to order an arrest warrant, it appears that might have been good advice. Now it seems that we'll have to wait and see if Miller and her Liberty Counsel lawyers even bother to appear for the Jan. 22nd hearing, or if they'll continue to defy the Vermont court and illegally cloak the whereabouts of Miller and Isabella.

"Ex-Gay" Lesbian Lisa Miller Still In Hiding With Her Daughter

Lisa Miller (left) has until tomorrow to hand her daughter Isabella over to her ex-partner Janet Jenkins and nobody is saying where they are hiding, especially not the anti-gay Liberty Counsel, Miller's attorneys, who appear to be complicit in Isabella's kidnapping.

"She does not know where her daughter is and she is trying to find her," Sarah Star, an attorney representing Jenkins, told ABCNews.com. Star says Jenkins last saw her daughter in January 2009 and spoke with her in March 2009. In his custody ruling, Vermont Family Court Judge William Cohen said nobody has "seen or heard from" Miller and Isabella since Nov. 20. The judge ordered custody to be switched from Miller to Jenkins after Miller repeatedly failed to allow visitation for her former partner. An assistant to the lawyers representing Miller, Mathew Staver and Stephen Crampton, told ABCNews.com that the lawyers were "on vacation and unavailable for comment on the matter." A Facebook page seemingly set up by Miller appears to show the last posting from the mother being on Dec. 4.

The Protect Isabella Coalition is screaming "judicial tyranny." Here's a clip they made earlier this year, before full custody was awarded to Janet Jenkins.

"Ex-Gay" Lesbian Goes Into Hiding With Child After Losing Custody Battle

It's a complicated story, but let's see if I can break down the major points correctly.

1. In 2000, Lisa Miller and Janet Jenkins get civil unioned in Vermont.

2. In 2002, Miller has a baby girl via artificial insemination.

3. In 2003, the couple breaks up when Miller "renounces" homosexuality, becomes an evangelical Christian, and moves to Virginia, taking the baby with her.

4. In December 2009, Miller turns off her phone and goes into hiding when a Vermont judge awards custody of the now 7 year-old girl to her former partner after Miller refuses to abide by court-ordered visitation rights.

And who's behind this latest development? Matt Barber's Liberty Counsel, who clearly have no respect for the rule of law. But remember, he signed the Manhattan Declaration, which vows disobedience of any law protecting the rights of gay people.

King & King

JMG reader Sean Chapin writes: "The Leffew Family and I have teamed up with our friends to produce a video re-enactment of the children's book 'King & King' that has recently been vilified in two TV ads from the Maine 'Yes on 1' Campaign (as well as the Yes on Prop 8 Campaign last year). The purpose of this video is to present this book in a positive light as it was intended and to educate the public as to what this book is really about in contrast to the negative attention this book has recently received."

Billy Elliot, With A Gay Twist

Ah, here's a mental palate cleanser to all of the evil in the posts below. Two gays dads in Canada adopted a boy from an abusive home seven years ago. Today the kid is a dance prodigy headed for the National Ballet.

Thomas Jones and Rob Gibson are acutely aware that they are setting themselves up for a barrage of "nature versus nurture" jokes whenever they tell people their son is a budding ballet prodigy. So be it, though. Their adopted offspring, James Gibson-Jones, appears destined for some species of ballet greatness, having been snapped up by the National Ballet of Canada this fall after just two years of lessons. He began dabbling in dance at the urging of teachers and family friends in Bowmanville, who sensed an affinity for rhythm and performance in the charismatic 11-year-old with the "classic Billy Elliot build." Gibson, for one, knows it's going to raise eyebrows, bringing up the (pink) elephant in the room – actually a typical suburban backyard fraught with excitable golden retrievers – unprompted and in good humour. "That was the first thing that I thought of," he chuckles. "Here are the two gay men and their son, the dancer. There are those stereotypes: `We're recruiting.' `Only gay men dance.' Things like that. I just find that incredibly funny. We didn't even push him in dance. We were thinking gymnastics because he was so flexible." "Nobody's actually brought it up," shrugs Jones. "But if it happens, it happens. So be it."

Read the entire story for a sweetness overload.