Blogging for LGBT Families Day: Varied Perspectives

I want to start my roundup of Blogging for LGBT Families Day posts by sharing a few perspectives that really made me think about the variety of our experiences.

• Clare at An MSW in Cambodia tells us the story of Karen Atala, a Chilean parent whose children were taken away by the court because she is a lesbian, and the organization founded because of her struggle. A reminder that the fight for LGBT rights is an international one.
• The FemiknitMafia relates “about the unique experience of a lesbian couple doing a surrogacy for two gay dads in Massachusetts.” As the legal spouse of the surrogate mom, she was required to sign “an affadavit of non-paternity.” Antics with computer databases ensued.
• Vicki at One Writer’s Quest speaks of being a single lesbian mom. “Searching on the internet for groups or even articles about people like me, I find tons of information for lesbian couples, but not very much for single moms like me,” she says. Despite this, she finds strength: “It probably sounds like I’m complaining or whining, but I’m not. I’m proud of who I am. I think I’ve accomplished some pretty amazing things. . . . I’m proud of Michael. I tell him that. I tell him I love him. Love is what makes a good family. Good, unconditional love. With that, I think kids can survive a lot.”
• Owl at Enough Grows writes about her and her partner’s struggle to start a family. Her first problem was being declared fertile, which limited her access to the reproductive services of her home state. Later, she was declared infertile, which brought its own set of stresses and emotions, although she could get treated closer to home. She keeps a positive outlook, though: “Every extra effort has been re-payed 1000 fold. We are two of the happiest girls alive with the most amazing family.”
• Steve at Adamant Sun brings up the little everyday moments of being a parent, with the intriguing question, “What does one serve with chicken pops and a tub full of oatmeal? Pigs in a blanket?”
• One of His Moms reminds us that an LGBT family can extend beyond just LGBT couples or parents and their children. “Our moms are a huge part of our LGBT family,” she says. “For my LGBT family, the soul of what makes us a family, what keeps us bound in love is the place from which we came, our moms.” Her full post includes two funny, touching anecdotes about both her mother and her partner’s mother.

More highlights throughout the week.