I spend way too much time browsing library websites’ image archives.

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I am part of the 31 and 28% who uses birth control for reasons other than family planning.

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By the way, this is perfectly normal.

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Meet Maggie Gallagher, the biggest opponent of same-sex marriage in the United States. Naturally, I take much offense to many things she has to say, and mainly her opinions related to homosexual couples raising children.

I’ve mentioned before that I come from a blended family of a lesbian and heterosexual couple (2 stepmoms and 2 biological parents). I’ve seen firsthand the struggles my mom and her partner of 15 years have gone through because they are denied the same basic rights heterosexual couples receive. Simple things married couples take for granted become obstacles. For example, my mom can never be covered by her partner’s health insurance and visa-versa. The mortgage on their house is only under one of their names because banks will not allow it any other way. I do not even want to think about the ordeal when inheritance tax comes into play.

My family has also undergone it’s fair share of hardships when it comes to bigotry and homophobia. When Maggie Gallagher says she believes “that given how difficult it will be to get good social-science data on what same-sex marriage means for children, it’s best just to assume that it’s bad for them,” my skin crawls. I like to think I’m a good person and a majority of my fine traits come from my parents and upbringing. She says, “My concern is that marriage really matters because children need a mom and a dad, and after gay marriage, I can’t say that anymore. I won’t be allowed to say it. Marriage will not be about that anymore. We will not have an institution dedicated to putting together mothers and fathers and children.” While my sister and I were raised with a father, I don’t see anything wrong with a same-sex couple raising children without an opposite sex person taking on the stereotypical gender-assigned parenting role.

I hope one day Mrs. Gallagher realizes the hurt her words can cause people and families everywhere. She should know that no one chooses to be gay and no one chooses to be raised by a same-sex couples. Just because they are doesn’t make them lesser parents or children either. It’s the quality of the parenting that matters, and not the gender.

Photo source: flickr; Article source: Salon

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Let’s now update this map.

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Something good happened today.

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The above illustration is by Jessica Ward was scanned from my copy of The Art of the Disney Princess. I love how she switched the roles of the prince and princess in Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. Say what you will about Disney Princesses and their lack of feminism, but I love them. Belle will always be my favorite.

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In Barbara Walters’ amazing memoir Audition, she has a chapter entitled “The Hardest Chapter to Write”. Consider this “The Hardest Entry to Write”. While I’m not one to speak about my personal life on this blog, I’m going to make an exception for today. You’ve probably noticed I’ve been absent for awhile. Well, aside for laziness, there’s a reason for this, and one I hardly mention to others.

Perhaps I’ve been inspired by other celebrities coming forward like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Demi Lavato. Well, consider this my coming out party — I have bipolar II. It’s something I’ve struggled with since my teenage years along with depression, anxiety, and insomnia. I normally don’t talk about it, and I’m sure some of my “IRL” friends are finding out right now while reading this entry (I’m good at putting on a happy face). I realize I should be more open about my disorder (I hate that word) because the more people talk about these things, the lesser the stigma becomes.

I’ve usually got things under control with a cocktail of prescription drugs, occasional therapy, and checkups with a psychiatrist, but sometimes things don’t go my way, and this is one of those sometimes. My motivation is zip, my concentration is zero, my sleeping schedule is out of whack, and I’m majorly behind on my thesis which is due in April — hence the lack of posts. I’m truly sorry for those who send me questions that I ignore, news that goes unpublished, and attempts at humor being wasted and placed in my ever growing drafts folder of incomplete posts.

The good news is I’m starting to feel better now, and hopefully things will get back to normal soon. In the meantime, take the time to send a friend a cheerful e-card, call your grandparents, and smile and say hello to a random stranger. You never know how happy that can make someone feel.

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Stay safe tonight, my darlings.

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barackobama:

guardian:

Photograph: Brian J. Clark/AP

Two women share historic kiss at US Navy ship’s return

For the first time since the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ a same sex couple takes part in a traditional public embrace.

President Obama signed the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” into law one year ago today.

I know I’m late in the game in reblogging this, but too bad.

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