"How to Be a Gay Parent in A Mostly Straight World"

 

Welcome to the exciting world of Gay Parenting! To those of you still in the planning stages, good luck as you select your donor sperm, choose an adoption agency, or meet your future surrogate. To those of you who’ve already brought home your bundle of joy, congratulations!   Your life will never be the same. Not long ago, you and your partner were “those two quiet men on the seventh floor” or “the lesbians at the end of the block.” Now, you’re pushing a stroller and infiltrating the playground, the pediatrician’s office, and the local Montessori preschool.   See Welcome to Way Out Parenting.

 

Dads Of Gay Sons To Tell Stories Of Pride

 

After reading an article on the Details Magazine website stating that progressive fathers accepting of gays would be uncomfortable with a gay son, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) president John R. Cepek decided to write about his own contrary experience and has invited other dads to jjoin him.

 

The article by David Hochman, titled Would You Really Be OK With A Gay Kid?, profiles three anonymous men about the prospect of having a gay son. Hochman introduces the men as progressive and gay supportive, but who flinch at the idea of their own offspring being gay. “No matter how enlightened you are (or think you are), when it comes down to it, you don't want your kid to be gay.”

 

While Hochman's statement was not meant to be a question, PFLAG Dads are answering it in a series of blog posts which aim to highlight dads proud to have gay sons.

 

See Dads Of Gay Sons To Tell Stories Of Pride

 

Study: LGBT Parents More Involved In Schooling

 

(New York City - April 10, 2008) A study of LGBT parents has found they are more likely to be involved in their children's K-12 education than the general parent population.

It found that the parents were more involved in school activities and were more likely to have consistent communication with school personnel. In addition, both LGBT parents and children of LGBT parents often report harassment because of their family structure.

 

The Home for Little Wanderers specializes in helping GLBT prospective parents get matched with kids

 

New Englad Blade - Thomas E. Kilduff April 19, 2007

 

Although Massachusetts law does not discriminate against GLBT people seeking to adopt children or become foster parents, it can still be an uncomfortable process, says Director of LGBTQ Training at the Home for Little Wanderers Colby Berger.

 

The Home for Little Wanderers is a private, Massachusetts-based adoption center, that provides special services for GLBT people.

 

Florida group explains reasons for repealing the state's adoption ban. Calls it institutionalized discrimination.

Equality Florida posted a message on its blog Wednesday, December 12 - in response to questions about the group's efforts to repeal Florida's ban on adoption by LGBT prospective parents.

 

EF communications director, Brian Winfield, writes:

 

"Florida's ban on adoption by gay and lesbian people, who are otherwise well qualified to be parents, is institutionalized discrimination against our community born out of the Anita Bryant hysteria of the 70's.

 

 

Facts on Gay Parents

The Courier - September 27, 2007

Dave Lindley (Sept. 5) states the American College of Pediatricians "has clearly stated same-sex marriages are not in the best interest of children," but he fails to attribute the actual study or explain the problem when children are not involved or what it has to do with polygamy in the Netherlands. At the 2005 National Conference of the American Academy of Pediatricians, Dr. Ellen Perrin, professor of pediatrics at Tufts-New England Medical Center, presented a peer-reviewed study of the data from 15 published studies and found that one to six million children in this country are being raised by gay or lesbian couples. The studies found no difference in intelligence, behavior, self-esteem, psychological problems, well-being, peer relationships or gender identity when compared to children raised by heterosexual couples. Some of the studies followed the children to adulthood and found a similar absence of problems.

Dottie's Magic Pockets

September 19, 2007

Pink Pea, LLC is thrilled to announce the release of the first Dottie's Magic Pockets DVD - now available for purchase at http://www.dottiesmagicpockets.com.

"Dottie's Magic Pockets" fills a huge void in children's programming as the first children's show reflecting the fabulous diversity of non-traditional families to kids in Gay and Lesbian families and their friends!

"Dottie's Magic Pockets" features Dottie (Jen Plante) along with loveable puppets, eye-popping animations, and silly songs that are guaranteed to entertain! Each episode also includes images and characters – such as Princess, a caterpillar with two dads – that kids in Gay and Lesbian households can especially relate to.

To view the complete press release, visit: http://pinkpea.com/media_kit/source/current_release.html

 

Back to school with 2 daddies

Washington Blade - Sunday, September 9, 2007

 

Jennifer Chrisler knows the score on gay families. The mother of two runs Family Pride, an organization that provides support and secures rights for gay families.   When Chrisler took her twin sons to preschool, she picked a liberal, private school in downtown Washington. The school had a reputation for being friendly to gay parents and Chrisler and her partner, Cheryl Jacques, met with and came out to the principal and their sons' teachers before school started.   "Then we got a letter, actually from their preschool teachers: Please remind your mom and dad ..." Chrisler says. "I'm always amazed."

 

Gay dads meet kindred spirits

Seattle Times - Monday, August 13, 2007

 

Some men rocked and cradled young babies; others pushed gleeful toddlers high on the playground swings.  Among them were fathers still getting used to maladies like colic and diaper rash and others gearing up for back to school.

 

And all of them were gay -- dads of children ages 3 months to 10 years, who gathered for a picnic at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill on Sunday to share stories of child rearing and offer each other support.