Published inBe Yourself·PinnedMember-onlyIs Facebook’s Algorithm Inciting Hate?I paid Facebook to promote my content. They claimed they would “Customize your audience to reach more people who may be interested in your business.” These are comments I received from that audience: “Phreak show with mental issues!!” “Perversion… God protect these children. “Repent.” “By all means, warp the minds of more children.” On the heels of the Facebook whistleblower, Frances Haugen’s testimony to congress, I can’t help but wonder if I’m seeing what she was testifying to congress about in real-time.LGBTQ4 min readLGBTQ4 min read
Published inBe Yourself·PinnedMember-onlyHow To Avoid A Civil War In Your FamilyA raw and honest look at how I fell into Twitter stalking my sister after she became a Republican who voted for Trump. — I can’t stop Twitter stalking my sister. I log in and tell myself, “Today I’m not going to do it.” …Politics7 min readPolitics7 min read
Published inBe Yourself·May 16Member-onlyYour Kids Are Going to Leave YouA story about vacation expectations. — This spring I found that I needed a vacation. I was burned out and sick of working in my bedroom and living in a 2-mile radius in Brooklyn. Needless to say, I was very excited that our family was hopping on a plane destined for the Caribbean. We were going…Parenting7 min readParenting7 min read
Nov 6, 2020Member-onlyIf These Ovaries Could Talk: The Things We’ve Learned About Making An LGBTQ FamilyThe authors of today’s Mom Talk-Jaimie Kelton and Robin Hopkins-are co-hosts of the podcast If These Ovaries Could Talk and authors of the brand-new book If These Ovaries Could Talk: The Things We’ve Learned About Making An LGBTQ Family . They’re both moms, they’re both lesbians married to other ladies…LGBTQ6 min readLGBTQ6 min read
Published inBe Yourself·Apr 20, 2018Member-onlyMy Kids Found Out I’m a JerkWhen my daughter was born, her skin was pale and pink, and she had the tiniest, most precious fingers and toes I had ever seen. When they put her on my chest, right after she popped out of me, the awe I felt was overwhelming. Immediately, it dawned on me…Parenting7 min readParenting7 min read
Published inBe Yourself·Nov 26, 2017Member-onlyDon’t Wish Your Life AwayI sat on the side of our bathroom tub, brushing my teeth and staring at the dingy, white, plastic kid’s stool that was half under the sink and half in the middle of the floor of our tiny New York City bathroom. …Short Story4 min readShort Story4 min read
Published inBe Yourself·Aug 24, 2017Member-onlyDon’t You Forget About MeI considered the invite that sat in my inbox. Whether I liked it or not, I was cordially invited to my 30th high school reunion. The affair promised to be two fun-filled nights of “glory-days-ing.” One at a really cool downtown bar called the Dark Horse, and by really cool I mean I always imagined it to be really cool even though no one ever invited me to go there. Day two would be filled…Short Story8 min readShort Story8 min read
Published inThe Coffeelicious·Mar 3, 2017Member-onlySOS! My iPhone Died.I approached the entrance to the subway for my evening commute, ear buds jammed into my ears, avoiding eye contact with everyone. …Short Story8 min readShort Story8 min read
Published inBe Yourself·Nov 25, 2016I Woke Up to Hate MailToday, I got this message in my FB messenger inbox. Let me back up a bit to what preceded this message. I’m part of a group called Stupid Michelle & Dumb Robin where Michelle Sims and I produce, write, and act in funny, irreverent short films. When Donald Trump won…Politics2 min readPolitics2 min read
Published inBe Yourself·Nov 2, 2016Member-onlyParenting Isn’t Rewarding.Recently, I asked a newly married friend of mine if he was planning on having kids. It was a harmless question. One I assumed he would readily have an answer to, so it amused me when he twisted in his seat and stammered a bit before saying, “I know, I…Parenting6 min readParenting6 min read
