Several adults who grew up with same-sex parents have shared their stories recently—including one of the first to be adopted by two men in the U.S.
Zachary Matheson was adopted at birth by two men in 1987. The first reported instances of adoption by openly gay couples were in 1979, but there certainly weren’t a lot even in the 80s. Matheson wrote one piece at Quora in answer to the question, “What is it like to be raised by two people of the same sex?” and observed: “For a long time I hesitated to respond to this question because the answer is so boring. But I think the mundanity actually reveals something important and often overlooked about same sex parenting.”
He also responded to the Quora question, “What is the hardest part about being a gay parent that straight parents don’t have to deal with?” in a lovely essay that captures some of the obstacles for same-sex parents during the early gayby boom, and some of the changes that have benefited our families since then.
You should also go read the full Quora threads, with answers from a variety of people to “What is it like to be raised by two people of the same sex?” and “What is the hardest part about being a gay parent that straight parents don’t have to deal with?“
Over in Australia, several young people with same-sex parents spoke with the Daily Telegraph about “What it’s really like growing up with same-sex parents.”
And Annie Van Avery, executive director of COLAGE, the organization for those with one or more LGBTQ parents, wrote a message to supporters explaining that her father died just one day after the Orlando massacre. She shared some reflections on his coming out in 1983, when she was five years old, and being raised “surrounded by his family of choice, and as a part of queer community.”
It is easy for the media to profile a person or small group and slap a “what it’s really like” label on it. Headlines to the contrary, though, the experiences of those with same-sex parents (and single LGBTQ parents) are as varied as those with straight, cisgender parents. Thanks to those who keep telling their stories.