Yes I’m gay, my girlfriend lives with me and River. It’s a long story. Britni and I started dating in 2010, we have had our ons and offs, namely the time when River was conceived, but we’ve been back together since August and are happier than ever.
That being said, although River’s Dad is a part of her life, Britni is as well, and River most definitely sees her as a parent. Britni shares the responsiblitlities of parenthood with me and I also consider her to be a parent.
We live in a Red State, a Very Red State. The Supreme Court Cases on Marriage Equality are important to us. I find it sad that in considering where to live after graduation I have to take into account that at home, in this state, I do not have the same rights as others and our family would be adversely affected by our staying here. I want to be near our family. I want Britni to keep her new job for more than a year but I want equal rights as well. It is sad that we may have to leave our home and family in order to receive these rights.
The thing that gives me hope is how fast the public opinion is changing. In our own lives we barley notice that we are different. That is a big deal. Even within this Red State we are treated the same as others. Never have we had an experience where anyone has said or done anything negative to us. Maybe we are lucky. But we are most definitely grateful for those who have come before and have experienced these things. We live our lives like normal people and don’t feel that we are different. In fact sometimes I forget. Until the news comes on and I am reminded that there are people who hate us because we are two people of the same sex who are in a relationship that happens to involve a child. Our child will never know anything but love. We will shield her from hate until she can understand that it is misguided. Hopefully the hate, that we have yet to experience, but we know exists in the world will not be there. Hopefully, by the time she can understand these things she won’t really have to. Hopefully no matter where we live she will have the joy of watching her Mom and Step Mom get married. But for now I am truly saddened by the fact that my home state does not really want me here, as far as laws are concerned. I also feel that even liberal media doesn’t know we exist. (Yes there are gay people and families in fly over country). Despite this, I have hope that someday I can really forget that we were once different than those opposite sex couples who enjoy benefits that currently, if married, we could not.
(if any one is interested check out my Girlfirend’s blog at, britnipeelphoto.wordpress.com and britnipeel.wordpress.com, she posts lots of pictures)
