Pride takes on different meanings for everyone, but what does pride mean from the perspective of a gay parent? Our parenting writer, Frank Lowe, gives his usual mix of satire and sincerity to answer this question.
November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST
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As everyone knows, June is LGBT Pride Month. The word pride has changed significantly for me over the years. When I was a 20-something, it meant at least a weekend-long boozefest and hanging out half naked in the streets. It meant ogling hot leather daddies and catching gaudy beads from drag queens on elaborate floats. It seemed to get crazier and crazier as time progressed, and the crowds kept getting larger and larger. I honestly took away from the whole thing that pride meant partying, which isn't exactly the point, right?
Pride now means something totally different for me. I have pride that I am a gay man in his 30s and am legally married and am legally a parent to a beautiful little boy. That wasn't necessarily something I felt was a possibility when I was a young gay, and though I have always been determined to be a parent, it felt out of reach. Thanks to everyone who fought for their rights before me, I can have this kind of life. I consider myself a fighter as well, as I have made myself a visible gay parent. Everyone feels pride differently, and no one should take anything away from that. That being said, here is my list of 10 reasons I have pride in being a gay parent:
1. I'm a bona fide "daddy." And yes, sometimes this daddy likes to get spanked too.
FRANK LOWE is The Advocate'sparenting writer. Follow Frank on Twitter @GayAtHomeDad and on Instagram at gayathomedad.
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