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Gay Couples Hit New Stage: Grandparents

Some out and proud, others fear damaging relations with the kids

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Feb 7, 2008 3:00 PM CST

(Newser) – A t-shirt slogan—"I love my trailblazing, woman-loving, out and proud grandma"—is proof: A growing demographic of gay couples who had kids in the 1970s are now grandparents. Gay-rights groups tell the Philadelphia Inquirer that such role models show kids how the world can change. "People with LGBT grandparents learn a broader view of how people can love," says one official.

Yet some fear coming out will hurt their relationship with the grandkids, and others find their own children demanding they keep the "lesbian issue" quiet. After Marian Mitchell's longtime partner died in 1997, the 55-year-old decided to come out to everyone. "I never imagined being able to live so openly," says Mitchell, who now fields questions like, "Mom-mom, what does LGBT mean?"

Magic and Ingrid cut their wedding cake in a holy union in Dallas, Texas in 1996 in this file photo. (Magnum Photos)

Some lesbians confess they still fear coming out will hurt their relationship with the grandkids. (Shutterstock)

Baby Connor stays the night with his fathers in Tucson in 1991. Some gay rights groups say gay grandparents show kids how the world can change. (Magnum Photos)

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Gay Couples Hit New Stage: Grandparents

Some out and proud, others fear damaging relations with the kids

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Gay Marriage Clears Big Hurdle in Maryland

State could soon be the eighth state to legalize

NJ Gay Marriage Bill Advances to Christie's Desk

New Jersey governor promises to veto it

GOP Lawmakers Want to Repeal Gay Marriage in NH

But some Republicans hope to skip the contentious issue

Washington State Legalizing Gay Marriage

Bill expected to be signed within days

Supreme Court's Move on Gay Marriage? Maybe Not

Prop 8 ruling is limited to California, providing a potential reason to skip

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Gay Couples Hit New Stage: Grandparents

Some out and proud, others fear damaging relations with the kids

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

gay rights • gay marriage • adoption • children • grandparents • LGBT

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Gay Marriage Clears Big Hurdle in Maryland

State could soon be the eighth state to legalize

NJ Gay Marriage Bill Advances to Christie's Desk

New Jersey governor promises to veto it

GOP Lawmakers Want to Repeal Gay Marriage in NH

But some Republicans hope to skip the contentious issue

Washington State Legalizing Gay Marriage

Bill expected to be signed within days

Supreme Court's Move on Gay Marriage? Maybe Not

Prop 8 ruling is limited to California, providing a potential reason to skip

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Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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What is Newser?