Why Having Two Dads is Beautiful

The modern-day father comes in a variety of forms. Today's father is no longer always the stereotypical breadwinner and disciplinarian. He can be either single or married, working a paid job or staying at home, adoptive or step-parent, and, of course, gay or straight. 

As it is becoming more and more acceptable for gay men to live their lives openly and create long-term relationships akin to heterosexual couples, more and more start to establish families. They become families. Moreover, research shows that these couples can become wonderful parents. 

Homosexuality is often accused of being a “mental illness,” “corrupting the children,” or of “destroying the family.” Nevertheless, there is no factual basis for claims that gay people are inherently mentally ill or that gay men are not appropriate parents. Large studies done over the past three decades have concluded the first fact; it appears that in accounting for the mental anguish in the LGBTQ+ community, the culprit is not homosexuality, but homophobia. The end of prejudice and discrimination, still rampant everywhere in the world, is what this community truly needs to heal. 

Similarly, studies have shown that gay parents are likely to be relatively pleased with their relationships as well as likely to share the responsibilities of childcare equally. They are as likely to create supportive homes for children as straight parents. One comprehensive study amongst children with two moms and two dads concluded that emotional functioning, sexual orientation, behavior adaptation, gender identity, and grade point averages of children raised by homosexual parents did not differ from other children; in fact, where disparities were identified, same-sex parents were occasionally favored. 

Gay dads. We are singling you out. Not because of your sexuality, but because you have contributed nothing less to your children than others. 

We live in a progressive society, the world claims. If nothing else, at least for providing you with greater visibility. But many, perhaps even those closest to you, have still failed to understand or accept your identity. In many parts of the world, your very existence makes you a criminal. Adoption is made disproportionately difficult. Legislation fighting for you is coming, but all too slow. But you've been undeterred. You have been fighting against bullying and social biases for all your life, and your struggle continues. But by forming your own family, you have claimed your rightful place in an otherwise conventional society. 

You know the obstacles, but stuck between all of them, you still labor daily to raise your child with the hope that things will change. The hope that one day, perhaps, your child will wake up in a fresh and bright world. 

You have challenged everyone who believes that a child cannot be nurtured properly without their mother. You have proved that the notion of parenthood goes beyond gender. You haven't shied away from taking care of your child, though it has been considered the “woman's job.” We say thank you for that. Thank you. 

It is said that fathers are the first heroes for most children in the world. It's time we count you among our role models. To all the dads out there, happy father’s day!

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