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Marriage Updates May 2013

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:11:44 +0000

If you didn't pay close attention, you might not have noticed that three states just legalized same-sex marriage. In the past 10 days, Rhode Island, Delaware and Minnesota have become 10th, 11th and 12th states in the US to legalize same-sex marriage. And although it's been reported on, gay marriage is no longer front page news it once was. What the heck is happening? Is the tide finally changing for good? Are we on our way to full marriage equality?

So much has changed in the ten years since I first started writing the Lesbian Life page on About.com in 2003. At that time, I didn't think marriage equality was even a remote possibility. I remember when the first couple was married in the US in San Francisco in 2004. I was so excited, I hopped a plane to San Francisco to be part of history.

I sat back this week and reflected on all the changes that I've witnessed since I started writing this blog. What about you? Have you gotten married in a state where it is legal? How do you think things have changed since 2004? Where do we still need to go? Share your thoughts below.

_{© Antoine Antoniol/Getty Images}

How Can You Tell if the Girl You Have a Crush on is a Lesbian?

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:12:39 +0000

Even as adults, it can be hard sometimes to tell if the person you are crushed out on is also a lesbian and if she's interested in you as well. For teenage lesbians, the issue is compounded by the fact that sometimes teens are still figuring out for themselves if they like girls, boys or both. That can make the world of dating especially tricky. So, what is a teen lesbian to do if she's out and proud, but doesn't know if her crush is a lesbian or not? And what about the friendly behavior? Is that a sign that she's interested, or is she just being friendly?
_{© Janet Goulden}

Dating with HIV

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:50:20 +0000

When should someone with HIV disclose her status to the new person she is dating? Should it come before the first date? Before the first kiss? Before the first sex?

A lesbian with HIV has had some negative experiences after revealing her HIV status to women she was dating and she wanted to know if she was doing the right thing. What would you do if the woman you started dating told you she had HIV?

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Who Plans a Lesbian Wedding?

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:50:41 +0000

When it comes to planning a lesbian wedding, who gets to decide what happens? Is one of you more of a "bride" than the other? Does one of you take on the "groom" role? That's exactly the question I was asked by Amy in Iowa. She thinks that because she is more girly and will be wearing the gown, she should have the final say in the wedding planning. Her wife-to-be, however, also wants to a "bride." I've given my two cents. What do you think?

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Why It's Important to Have Lesbian Friends

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:23:52 +0000

When life gets you down, good friends pick you up. When life goes your way, good friends are there to celebrate with you. We need all kinds of friends in our lives, but as lesbians, we also need platonic lesbian friends. Here's why.

_{© Maggie Parker}

Is it Time to Break Up?

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:48:55 +0000

Relationships aren't always easy. There are good times and there can be difficult times. When you're in a relationship that is troubled, it can be hard sometimes to decide if you should stay and work things out or if you should part ways. How do you know when it's time for a break-up...

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How to Be a Good Girlfriend

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:05:59 +0000

How hard is it to be a good girlfriend? It can be the easiest thing in the world and at the same time the hardest. Be a good listener, keep your promises, admit when you make a mistake. The things that it takes to be a good girlfriend are not that complicated, but they can be easy to forget as we go through our day-to-day lives. Here's a reminder of what being a good girlfriend entails.

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Gay Marriage in France

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 01:36:09 +0000

France became the 14th nation to legalize same-sex marriage with a parliament vote of 321-225. The issue didn't just slide right through, though. There have been months of widespread protests leading up to this vote. Even though the majority of French accept same-sex marriage, the issue of adoption is more controversial in the country. Couples should be able to start marrying in June. Here's more on this story.

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Basketball Star Brittney Griner Comes Out

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:25:35 +0000

Up until now, Brittney Griner has been most known for her amazing basketball skills, her ability to dunk and for being 6'8" tall. Now that the superstar ball player came out, wait, she's still best known for her amazing basketball skills, her ability to dunk and for being 6'8" tall. Brittney Griner came out in an interview with Sports Illustrated magazine, but the news was taken in stride by most media organizations. It was no big deal. But it was a big deal. Find out why I think so...

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Do You Like the Word "Wife?"

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:48:27 +0000

Do you want a wife? Or would you rather have a spouse, partner, girlfriend or mate? I recently heard from a couple who is planning to get married, but they don't like the word "wife" and wanted to know how other lesbians felt about it. I posed the question to my Facebook friends and it was pretty much split down the middle 50/50 of people liking "wife" and hating it. Some said they thought it was a generational issue. I think that's funny, because that's what people said of the word "queer."

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