Do homosexuals make good parents? We asked two British teenagers how having homosexual parents shaped their lives.
| I found out about my mum’s sexuality when I caught them together. |
Jane (not her real name), 16, from Croydon. Surrey, discovered her mother was a lesbian when she was 10. My father drank heavily and abused my mother. When I was 10, she and I moved into a refuge after he stabbed her in the back. There my mum met another lady. I found out about my mum's sexuality when I caught them together.
Mum stayed with her for four years. For two years I was really upset. My sister took it better because mum told her after I found out. I got wound up by my friends and couldn't bring them home. Now they all know. Some are fine but others still try to wind me up.
Straight people don't understand what it's like to be gay. People who reject homosexuality know nothing about it. Some take the mickey. Mum's very open and has lots of friends, and now it doesn't bother me. It's up to her what she wants to do.
I always tell a new boyfriend if I've been seeing them for a while. No one has ever rejected me because of her. If any boyfriend couldn't take the way mum is, then I don't want to know.
She doesn't have a partner now but I'd be happy if she lived with someone. I prefer her with a woman than a man No one makes fun of my mum - because they knock em out!
My headmaster is really supportive. It helps when you know that friends and teachers care. When teenagers learn about sex education, they don't learn anything about gay people. I think they should. I knew nothing about it until it affected my life. The more people know, the better prepared they would be in Iife.
My advice to other kids who are getting hassled because they have a gay parent is to ignore it. It doesn't change the way your parents feel about you, or the fact that they love you.
Ross (not his real name), 17, of Poplar, east London, was told about his mother's sexuality while still at primary school: I don't remember exactly how I felt when mum told me she was a lesbian - I just accepted it. Now Im happy about it. I get on really well with my parents, we've got a lot of things in common.
My life hasn't changed but no one really knows My dad still lives at home. My home has a friendly atmosphere, and I think that there are no differences between ourselves and other people. It's a normal family to me.
A few of my friends know about the situation. Ive only had positive reactions because I've been selective. I know people who are involved in the BNP - I would never tell them. Sometimes I wish she was straight because it would make it easier when I introduce her to people. If my mum tells them - that's fine. If they didn't like me any more, then they're not real friends, are they?
I don't think that having a gay parent makes you want to be gay too. I don't plan to be. I think that if you're gay, you know.
Gay couples should be allowed to adopt or conceive children through IVF, because most would do their best to bring up a child in the right way. Mum's got two friends who are trying to adopt a child and having difficulties with it.
Politicians should speak to people a lot more than they do. They just don't know the facts.
The only way that my mum's lifestyle has made me think about my own sexuality is that when I meet some of her gay friends, I try to make it clear that I'm straight. People make that choice for themselves.
I'm proud of my parents, but that is something I don't normally think about. Mum's always been a joyful person and being a lesbian doesn't make any difference. She's got new friends, that's all.
About the team
Interviews by editors Jamie Burnett, 17, and Rachel Bulford, 15, and reporter Selina Gibson, 13. This article was published in The Observer.
