Can Girls Marry Girls?

My daughter asked me a question today. Honest to God, that is not an abnormal thing. She asks me questions from the moment she wakes up--“Mom, can I have a popsicle?” until she falls asleep—“Mom, can I have a popsicle tomorrow?"

But today’s question was a little different.

“Mom, boys are stupid. Can girls marry girls instead?"

If it seems bizarre for a five year old to be asking about marriage keep in mind that my sister is getting married and there has been a lot of talk about marriage and weddings lately. There has been a lot of talk about how it would have been nice if my sister had eloped too, but that stuff you can find on the Wedding from Hell page.

So, there it was hanging out there--can girls marry girls.

Here is where it would be dangerous to over think the issue. I mean she’s five. The answer is no; girls can’t marry girls--nowhere but in Massachusetts. So, “No” would be the answer, right?

No was the answer I gave.

“Why?” was the question I got.

Um…want a popsicle?

Again this would be a bad point to over think things.

I mean at some point I’m going to have to explain homosexuality to my kids and I know that, but when Kaileigh asked me how you make a baby and I told her women had eggs she got confused. Sometimes she walks around with her hands over where I showed her her ovaries are saying, “I can’t feel any eggs."

Since she’s five and confused about her own parts I didn’t really think today was the day to get into whose parts go where in other circumstances. So…I said, “Because the law doesn’t allow it."

She seemed Ok with that. I gave her a popsicle and off she went. Half a second later she returned and asked me a question.

“Can women be in the army?"

This one is simple. I love this question.

"Yup."

"Can they do everything boys can do in the army?"

"Nope. They can’t be in combat roles. They can fix trucks, fly planes and stuff like that, but they don’t really get to kill the bad guys."

"That’s not fair."

“Nope. And sometimes life isn’t fair."

Chris

Comments

[Billy]

I never had any problem like that with my two boys[now grown ,and on their own],i just told them i would kill them if they even thought about being gay.Has worked so far.

[Chris]

Hey Billy--that's my next step.

Chris

[Hallie Easley]

Dear Lisa and Chris,

First of all, I wanted to congratulate you on your blog Two Babes and a Brain and for being such a wonderful resource to the online community. I recently read your March 4th entry called “Motherhood and Mayhem” and I appreciate what you had to say regarding the complex dynamics of motherhood. I also thought you might be interested in a project I've been working on called Imagining Ourselves. This is a multi-lingual, global online exhibit featuring the artwork, film and writings of women from all over the world.

The past four months have been dedicated to putting together our latest exhibit on Image and Identity. And last Thursday, in honor of International Women's Day, the exhibit launched and is live on the site. (www.imow.org) The website was devised to highlight the incredible work of young women around the world but also to inspire individuals and other women to take action on the vital social issues raised through the exhibit. Our current sub theme is on Motherhood (next sub-theme is work and family) and there are some incredible stories from and about women around the world dealing with hard pressing issues. I think the project is a wonderful way to spark conversation. And I hope you find it useful and engaging.

We want to reach out to young women and mothers to amplify their voices, talk about issues they face and focus on the issue from different perspectives-- but really looking at personal stories.

I was wondering if you would be so kind as to spread the word about the exhibit to your community via your blog. Perhaps you could recommend people that I get in touch with? Let me know if you would be willing to help us spread the word and I will send you a copy of our outreach flyer. Thank you, Chris and Lisa! This project is not possible without the help and commitment of our community. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Strength to you and your work!

Kind regards,

Hallie