Being gay and a parent

Sometimes I have to remind myself that my family is not the "norm".  It usually stems from something seemingly innocent.  A question I ask of a parenting forum.  A stroll out by myself in public with the babe where people chit chat with me.  A comment from a deli counter worker at the local big chain grocery store.

But when those moments happen, they hit me like a brick.  And that's frustrating. 

"I know she ain't ya'lls.  Where she come from?!" 

"Is your wife breastfeeding her?"

"Oh, she looks just like you.  Her poor mama must be so sad she got all your genes!"

*sigh*

We try to be as upbeat and happy as we can about our family.  We are different, and that is okay!  But when we see nothing but heteronormative relationships all around us, it is hard.  We want our daughter to grow up knowing that her family is just as acceptable and every day as everyone else's family. 

And with the current political situation in America, this just got more difficult. 

Being gay and a parent is not difficult, really.  We parent just like everyone else. 

We change diapers.
We kiss boo boos
We take screaming kiddos out of restaurants
We discipline
We hug and kiss
We love without question

Yes, I love this meme.

Yet, we do all of this with the world watching over our shoulder.  We do all of this with the far right screaming we are denying our child a "normal" upbringing (whatever normal means).  We do all of this with the far left screaming how we are saints and "just like" having a mom. 

And really, we do all of this just like everyone else, so can everyone stop talking about us like we are in a zoo for everyone to watch?  That would be great.

We are parents.  We hold our children close.  We celebrate our victories, and our set backs.  We do everything we can for our daughter.  This whole thing, is for her.  No different than any other good parent.

Our celebration of marriage being legal.  So much for her.