I’ve decided to add a news ticker to my life, using keywords like “lesbian” and “parenting”. This week, I received 85 notices that Jen*ifer Anist*n and C*urtney C*x were going to kiss onscreen. How exciting! *rolls eyes*

Yet I did come across some interesting news links and offer them up for you this weekend in addition to Trista’s great weekend reading.

If you missed it, Mombian posted a story last week from the Mail and Guardian Online that asks, Why are Pregnant Lesbians scary?

Across the pond, government ministers in the UK are moving towards a decision that would make Catholic (and other faith based) adoption agencies comply with a new anti-discrimination law, which would require them to place children with gay and lesbian families.

Again in the UK, My So Called Gay Life reports that 3% of gays and lesbians intend to adopt in the next 5 years.

In response to this ongoing issue in the UK, this story states that adoptions by gays and lesbians seems to have become less of a contentious issue in the US.

As many of you may have already seen, US VP Dick Cheney made a few waves this week, responding (or actually, not responding) to comments about his daughter, her partner and his future grandchild on CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer (video included).

For those Oprah fans out there, this Monday, January 29th, her show will feature “Extraordinary Families” including a family with two dads.

In Sweden, a proposal has been forwarded that would allow lesbian mothers equal custodial rights to their children conceived outside of the country or in private arrangements (known donors?). Also, a section would be added to the law allowing for children conceived with donor sperm/eggs to have access to the identities of these donors.

In old(ish) news, a second state in Mexico, Coahuila, has extended legal statues to same-sex partnerships.

In Kenya, LGBT folks have been making headlines, demanding rights and thinking about ways to become parents.

Two recent projects by the NCLR (National Centre for Lesbian Rights) have been launched: to support low income LBGT families, and to provide legal education training for lawyers dealing with same-sex parental issues in Florida.

And finally, a story that characterizes how families are being redefined (the two moms in this story are members of a lesbian moms group in our city).

Happy reading!