My 'gayby' family deserves respect

I grew up with lesbian mums, my reaction to the kind of hateful diatribe published in The Telegraph is one of sinking, familiar disappointment. I've been dealing with this crap my entire life. Sadly, though, I know all too well the feeling of the first time a kid with LGBTI parents sees their family vilified in the press:

The pain, the fear, the anger and the commitment to stand even prouder, taller and stronger in the face of such ignorance.

How many kids from LGBTI families experienced that first this morning, when The Daily Telegraph published not one but two pieces attacking the filmmakers who produced Gayby Baby, a film that has received international acclaim for its nuanced presentation of same-sex families? How many woke up to see their families described as 'not normal'? And how do we live in a society where a man with no experience of the families he's attacking can publish hate speech about them in a national newspaper?

Gayby Baby premiered earlier in the year and has received overwhelming support throughout its production, including raising a whopping $100,000 through crowdfunding. This is a film the community needs and wants, as it tells our story through the eyes of young people, rather than through the words of politicians and lobbyists.

Today's piece targeted the screening of Gayby Baby in schools, as part of an anti-homophobia program, an initiative I consider vital for LGBTI families. When I was growing up it was my sole responsibility to educate other kids about families like mine, to weather bullying, to represent my family and convince others of my right to exist. I was – and am – incredibly proud of my family, but I learnt too young that there are many in this world who would rather I didn't exist.

Read the full article at: http://www.dailylife.com.au