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While this is still being contested in Texas, apparently Idaho has actually made this law in their state. This is absolutely absurd, and not in any way, shape or form child abuse.  This should be left to the medical professionals who are providing children medical care based on science and facts, not prejudice.

They’ve set this up as a mandatory life sentence for loving parents. At present, most states don’t have mandatory life sentences for murderers and rapists, but for loving parents they’re ready to have a mandatory life sentence?? This is incomprehensible!

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Bil Browning, lgbtqnation(dot)com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

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It's not too late to check out why people are drawn to the city in the fall.  This article lays out so many great things to take advantage of in the city that most of us don’t take the time to enjoy.  Whether it's taking in a show, a museum, the latest jazz club or just going in for a good meal.  It's fun to go play in the city, even if you are not an urbanite!

Selected excerpt(s), photo and linked article courtesy of Lyndsey Matthews, AFAR & Shutterstock

Long Island has a treasure trove of activities as well as wonderful hiking trails. Whether it's on the south shore near the beaches on divine boardwalks, or on the north shore's historic sites. Some hike for the joy of solitude while others hike simply to enjoy their favorite person. This article shows the top ten hiking trails on Long Island.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Bryan Reyes, thetravel(dot)com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of Pixabay

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 35 Years.

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Some long over due help for parents and families with adult children with disabilities...

State lawmakers are cheering the final approval of a new law that will allow the parents of adults with developmental disabilities to continue to receive child support payments. 

The measure approved this month by Gov. Kathy Hochul allows parents of children with developmental disabilities to petition courts to receive support payments until their child is 26 -- providing expanded years of support for families. 

“This critical, common-sense piece of bi-partisan legislation will help the custodial parents of dependent adult-age children with disabilities support and provide for their families,” said Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, who sponsored the bill alongside Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh. “The needs of children with disabilities extend beyond the age of majority, and child support payments can be a lifeline for custodial parents to care for and meet the needs of their children.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Nick Reisman, Spectrum Local News
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

It's hard to believe that after 54 years of the Supreme Court's Decision in Loving v Virginia that interracial marriage may be an issue before the Supreme Court yet again.  I guess in the last five years we have seen more hatred of different segments of our society expressed, including the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement as well as LGBTQ rights.   Many may not remember, but it used to be illegal to transport a woman across state lines for purposes of a personal relationship or to interracially marry. 

It seems the antipathy towards interracial marriage is now arising once again.  There is not a case to overturn interracial marriage, but this article is written by the Civil Rights Attorney who co-represented the interracial couple in the landmark case of Loving v Virginia. He speaks about a case that is currently before the Supreme Court in which a severely mentally ill black man suffering from schizophrenia and psychosis is on trial for murdering his estranged wife and children.  His wife was white, and their children are products of their interracial marriage.  The Jurors who decided that case were asked their views on interracial marriage and people of different races having children.  According to the Supreme Court Petition, three Jurors expressed opposition to one or both of these issues.  One Juror said I don’t believe God intended for this and another said we should stay with our blood line.  The third stated that interracial marriage was harmful for children as they did not have a specific race to belong to. 

I, as many others thought, that this country had evolved beyond these archaic views.  54 years ago, the Trial Court that imposed the criminal penalty on the Lovings’ actually stated Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents.  And, but for the interference with his arrangement, there would be no cause for such marriage.  The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix.  I find this quotation and statement absolutely astounding now as well as then., but the law that created criminality for interracial marriages was based on purported justifications of “racial integrity” and preventing the “corruption of blood” themes that still echo through the Jurors' statements in the case now being sent to the Supreme Court.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Philip Hirschkop, Civil Rights Attorney, Bloomberglaw(dot)com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

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In honor of International Women’s Day and Month, this article highlights Long Island Suffragette and socialite Alva Vanderbilt Belmont, who formed the National Women’s party with Suffragette leader, Alice Paul.

Their cause was for the right of women by law to vote in national and local elections.  Without their sacrifice and dedication, we might not have the right to vote.  Ms. Vanderbilt Belmont was the party’s president and primary benefactor.  She was also known for saying “Pray to god, she will help you.”

In 1917, the group began a vigil with hundreds of flag waiving protestors, displaying huge signs, shouting their message which marked the first time that protestors picketed in front of the White House.  It was January 1917 when the group began their vigil that lasted six days a week for six months, despite the weather conditions!! 

All the liberties and rights that women have today are a result of the women who came before us.  I am so grateful for all the strong women, many of whom we have never heard about when we were taught the “history” of our country.  It's time we start to talk about our “herstory”!

Selected excerpt(s), photo and linked article courtesy of Annie Wilkinson of the Long Island Press

This article gives the current pulse on what therapists are hearing from couples in marriage counseling.

With all the demands of life, emotional distancing has become a problem for many.  Ironically, working from home and being together more often can actually create distancing and lack of intimacy because everyone involved is being pulled in multiple directions with multiple distractions.

However, there is a simple solution:  make time to talk on a regular basis and work out your problems together.

This may sound like a simple fix, but just spending some short regular quality time together, like eating breakfast or having a cup of coffee, can really help things improve.

People are even wondering whether they have to make time and schedule intimacy or make an appointment for sex. Please note however that there is a difference between intimacy and sex.  If things have staled, you may have to rejuvenate the intimacy between each other and know what you love about your partner before you jump start your sex life.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Jeremy Brown, fatherly(dot)com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of Pixabay

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 35 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

Most people don’t know this, but the largest animal farm sanctuary is located right here in New York.

This is an incredible place, especially if you love animals.  Watkins Glen Animal Sanctuary is home to more than 800 rescue farm animals on nearly 300 acres.  This is a great place to go for a family outing or just to get away from it all.  It even has a place for visitors to stay a day or two in cottages or cabins.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Christy Articola, OnlyInYourState(dot)com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of Pixabay

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 35 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT #AnimalFarmSanctuary #AnimalSanctuary #WatkinsGlen #WatkinsGlenAnimalSanctuary #FarmAnimals #Cows #Cottages #Cabins #NewYork