This post is all about our kids. First and most practically, COLAGE, the national organization for people with LGBTQ parents, has launched the KidSafe blog, an online safe space “to document the struggles, rewards and experiences that come along with having one or more LGBTQ parent.” Read on to learn more, along with a few additional recent tidbits about those with LGBTQ parents.
Not one, but two videos have surfaced in the past few days showing children of same-sex parents standing up for their families in Utah. Yesterday, 26-year-old Griffin Fearonce spoke with Utah’s KUTV about his lesbian moms. This followed Friday’s inspiring speech by 12-year-old Riley Hackford-Peer at a marriage equality rally. Marriage equality opponents are trotting out the old and unsubstantiated argument that children do best when raised by a mother and a father. First-person stories from those with same-sex parents are a good antidote.
Riley Hackford-Peer is a 12-year-old living with his two moms and his younger brother in Utah. He gave a speech at a rally in Salt Lake City Friday, telling the crowd that watching his moms marrying in Utah “felt like fireworks bursting in my heart.”
Jehanne McCullough is 17, a senior at the Maryland School for the Deaf, and has two moms. She recently gave a presentation at the 2013 Jr. NAD (National Association of the Deaf) Conference, in which she discusses her moms and what schools can do to be more inclusive of children with same-sex parents. Watch the video below.
Two pieces caught my eye this week that take a nuanced and unflinching look at the challenges and joys of having lesbian moms. Personally, I love reading pieces by grown children of LGBT parents. It’s useful to read things by other LGBT parents, of course — but the perspectives of those who have LGBT parents help me better understand how my son might view certain things in his world as he grows up. (Not that everyone who has LGBT parents will think the same — but they help me realize some of the possibilities.)
Next Wednesday (Nov. 20), the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) will premiere the documentary “Growing Up Gayby,” which follows a filmmaker with lesbian moms as she herself interviews “a slew of ‘gaybies’” and right-wing pundits “in an attempt to make sense of what ‘family’ is in the 21st century.”
Two exquisite new memoirs show the breadth of experiences that fall under the umbrella of LGBT parenting. One asks us to reflect on what it means to be a mother or a father; the other shines a light on a gay father and his daughter in the era of Harvey Milk.
Before I was even done with it, I knew “Power of Two” by Amanda McGee was going to be my Post of the Week. She tells the lovely, poignant story of her in-laws, two women, finally deciding to marry and be open about their relationship. Their grandchildren’s response is delightful.
Emma Tattenbaum-Fine has two moms, and recently tackled the age-old question of “What do you call your moms?”
It’s a big, fat roundup to close out the week — some of the stories I haven’t covered already. Enjoy!
