gay flamingos spark discussions about queer parenting
Lisa on May 22nd 2007
First there was Silo and Roy, then Tango, and now Carlos and Fernando. The two male flamingos at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, UK have joined the ranks of same-sex animals parenting together. While stories like this can be a great way to spark a conversation about (human!) LGBTQ parents, it’s important to remember not to get caught up in talking about animals, but instead to make sure that your own family story gets told.
Why is it so important to tell your family story? Well, research shows that non-LGBTQ people are more likely to be on our side if they know three or more LGBTQ people (and their stories) personally. Our families are talked about a lot, but are rarely seen. We need to make sure that we’re being actively visible so that everyone can see that our families are normal, loving families, just like theirs. Whether it’s someone who asks, “where’s the mom?” to gay dads in the pediatrician’s waiting room, or meeting with your legislators, it’s crucial to be able to know how to tell your story effectively.
Research has also found that what resonates most with people when fighting for family equality is not using words like discriminatory, unfair, and unequal - it’s being personal that makes an impact. Instead of telling your neighbor that your state’s current marriage status is discriminatory, tell them how the marriage status hurts you and hurts your family.
Download our telling your family story resource from our publications - it’s a fantastic way to get your story written down so that you can become comfortable and familiar telling it in a way that resonates with others and changes hearts and minds everywhere.
