Category Archives: Back issue content

Proud 2 Be

Proud 2 Be
Mat and Jon Price, 30, are identical twins and both gay. Their childhood in a rural village near Birmingham was not filled with positive messages about homosexuality. This experience led them to set up the Proud 2 Be project in 2011, an online campaign supporting LGBT people to be proud of who they are. A…
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From Beyond the Couch

Ruth Yudkin is a UKCP-registered psychotherapist, with many years’ experience of therapy with individuals, couples and families. She has worked at several independent agencies, and now has a thriving private practice. She has a special interest in the needs of LGBT clients and the particular issues that arise for LGBT families. Ruth is also an…
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Interview with Susan Golombok

Interview with Susan Golombok
Susan Golombok is director of the Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge. Her fascinating book, published in March this year, brings together over thirty years of research into new family forms – forms which include lesbian and gay-parented families, single mothers by choice, and families created through assisted reproduction techniques (ART). The…
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Gender-neutral pronouns

Unsure how to refer to someone who is gender neutral? Here’s our top six appropriate pronouns and examples of how you would use them: HEN: used in Sweden Herm or they: in place of him or her Ne/nem/nir/nirs/nemself (Ne went to get nir hair cut) Spivak: Ey/em/eir/eirs/eirself (Ey likes to drink coffee when eir workload…
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LGBT adoption: jargon buster

Jargon buster Tummy mummy: an easy term instead of birth mother that young kids understand Forever family: a child’s adoptive family are known as their forever family to acknowledge the permanent bond between them Life story work: a story book with, where possible, photographs of each child’s journey from birth through foster care to their…
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The adoption process in 10 steps

Here’s a breakdown of the adoption process. This may vary depending on your agency but these are the likely steps involved.   Step 1: preliminary enquiry Make contact with a local adoption team through your council, a charity or other adoption organisations. They will ask you a few questions to establish whether you are eligible,…
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Twin-to-twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS)

Tricia and Cathy were excited but daunted when they found out they were pregnant with multiple babies. Then they found out they had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)… After a difficult time finding a clinic they were happy with, and choosing donor sperm, the couple were delighted when they found out Cathy was pregnant. “Two weeks…
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A lesbian granny and a granny of lesbian mums

Modern grandparenting Many grandparents help their children out by looking after the grandkids regularly, but there’s far more to grandparenting than just family favours and saving money. We hear from two grandmothers who have forged a friendship through their common commitments. Maureen and Fiona meet up every week with their grandchildren. Maureen Wright, 60, lives…
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What to expect from the adoption process

A step-by-step guide Here’s a breakdown of the adoption process. This may vary depending on your agency but these are the likely steps involved. Step 1 Preliminary enquiry Make contact with a local adoption team through your council, a charity or other adoption organisations. They will ask you a few questions to establish whether you…
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LGBT Adoption & Fostering: myth & jargon buster

Myth buster There is no legal minimum age (although some services have their own policy such as over 21) There is no official upper age limit You can be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender Single people can apply as much as married or unmarried couples or couples in a civil partnership You do not need…
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