All tagged LGBTQ

My first opinion piece in @usatoday on paid parental leave. It’s a national embarrassment that we continue to be one of a handful of countries in the world without such a program, but there’s one silver lining in having waited this long

David Dodge
LGBTQ, Parenting

It’s a national embarrassment that we continue to be one of a handful of countries in the world without such a program, but there’s one silver lining in having waited this long: we have the opportunity to do it right the first time around, and create a paid parental leave program inclusive of *all* parents. Such a policy would also make things right with the LGBTQ and adoption community—who are disproportionately denied paid time off.

Regardless of what happens on Election Day this year, our current elected officials need to do the right thing and codify LGBTQ Marriage Equality into national law. And then Congress needs to turn its attention to expanding new rights, n

David Dodge
LGBTQ, Parenting

Regardless of what happens on Election Day this year, our current elected officials need to do the right thing and codify LGBTQ Marriage Equality into national law. And then Congress needs to turn its attention to expanding new rights, not just protect old ones. Enacting paid parental leave — something a majority of both parties actually agree on, and that will confer new rights and protections to LGBTQ families, not just enshrine old ones — may be one of the only areas to make that happen.

Traveling with Pride — Teachable Moments

Traveling with Pride — Teachable Moments

David Dodge
Travel, LGBTQ

British Airways asked me and a couple other LGBTQ travel writers to write about a "memorable experience" we've had while traveling as queer people. My piece was about the time a homophobe and I went to a bar together in Greece (sounds like the set up to a bad joke) and hilarity ensued.

‘A Family Like Ours’: Portraits of Gay Fatherhood

‘A Family Like Ours’: Portraits of Gay Fatherhood

David Dodge
Parenting, Arts & Culture

A new book of photography by Burt Heynen features the intimate moments of queer dads in America. American culture has not been particularly starved of images of gay fatherhood, particularly in recent years. It no longer feels revelatory to see them on television, as it did when “Modern Family” premiered in 2009. Less common are images of gay fathers who aren’t Instagram ready — like two men combing their daughters’ hair. Read the article here.

Lachlan Watson: Your Next Romantic Lead

Lachlan Watson: Your Next Romantic Lead

David Dodge
Arts & Culture, LGBTQ

My interview with Lachlan Watson, star of Netflix’s reboot of Sabrina, appeared in September 2022 issue of Glass Man. Lachlan was a pleasure to interview, and super impressive. At 18 years old, they’ve spent the last year filming a major television show, gracing magazine covers, and schooling the media on the intricacies of feminism, sexuality, and gender identity. The best part of the interview was listening to Lachlan, one of Hollywood’s most visible nonbinary actors, talk about the roles they’d like to tackle next after Theo. After “always playing the queer kid,” they hope their next role is in a completely different genre — like a Western. “Put me in a corset, give me those ringlet curls, and let me go train hopping,” they said.

Legal Basics for L.G.B.T.Q Parents

Legal Basics for L.G.B.T.Q Parents

David Dodge
Parenting, LGBTQ

It’s never been easier for L.G.B.T.Q. people to become parents. We can now adopt and serve as foster parents in every state in the country. Thanks to advancements in assisted reproductive technology, otherwise known as ART, and innovative co-parenting and known-donor arrangements, we’re also having biological children in greater numbers. Despite this progress, a complex network of state laws, regulations and restrictions affect many of our most common paths to parenthood, meaning would-be L.G.B.T.Q. parents can face a far more complicated legal landscape than our straight counterparts. Read the article here.