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-Absolutely and Absolutely Not!-
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As a member of the LGBTQ community, would you want your child to also be LGBTQ?
Absolutely!
Most parents probably hope their children will grow up to be just like them, and I'm no exception. My experience as a member of the LGBTQ community has been very positive and I'd be proud to raise children who are just like me.
I come from what many would consider a traditional family. I've been lucky to have amazing parents who have done their best to support me, my lifestyle, and my relationships, but there's always been something missing. Even though they try, my parents have never been able to relate to my same-sex relationship problems. They've given me plenty of advice, but sometimes what works in a heterosexual relationship doesn't necessarily fit in an LGBTQ relationship because the dynamics are very different. I want my children to have someone who's been there and done that and can relate to them and offer the advice and guidance they'll need. Not only would it be best for my children, but for me as well. I wouldn't know the first thing about raising heterosexual children because that's not my comfort zone or where my personal experience lies.
I want to connect with my children in every possible way. If we are all LGBTQ, we'd have a strong common foundation to build our family on. Most importantly, I want to be a good parent and role model, but I definitely hope my child is LGBTQ so that I can show them the ropes and really experience that parent-child bond that everyone talks about.
Absolutely Not!
I wouldn't want my children to be LGBTQ because I don't want them to experience any unnecessary discrimination or unfair treatment. Based on my own experiences, I know that being gay isn't easy. It took me a long time to admit the truth to myself and even longer to share that truth with others. I went through dark times trying to figure out who I was and how I wanted to live my life. I was afraid of not being accepted by my family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues. Even though it wasn't easy for me, a lot of others have had it much worse. There have been too many victims of ridicule, hate, and violence in our community. Some have lost their lives at the hands of others just because they're LGBTQ. Others have taken their own lives because of the rejection or abuse they've faced in society or because of their own fear or self-hatred. I wouldn't want my children to suffer inequality or feel the sadness, loneliness, or hurt that sometimes comes with being part of a minority group like the LGBTQ community.
I'd love and accept my children no matter who they are as long as they're happy. I just don't want their lives to be any harder than they need to be. In a perfect world, no one would encounter the struggle, prejudice, and intolerance that many LGBTQs do, but I especially don't want my own children to have to deal with the possibility of it.
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