No social groups in Kent for LGBT Parents...how can that be?!

[KhalisMum]

Hi Ladies and Gents (and babies bouncing on your knees as you read this)!

After being a busy bee workaholic and an active socialite for years I am now a proud lesbian Mum with a beautiful 3 month old daughter that we worked sooooooo hard for!

So I found myself sitting here on maternity leave and I suddenly realised that not only do most of our friends not have children but also the novelty of us having a baby kind of wore off for them around week three and they are now nowhere to be seen!

I thought to myself it's ok I will meet new people at the local HV clinics held here and I was excited to go there... And then I did!

The people don't just see us as Mum and baby as I naively thought they would. They see us as some kind of sideshow and they are filled with questions about how she was conceived and what it's like to be a lesbian mum and the best one "I bet it's loads easier when their are two women looking after a newborn?"

Every week there is a new mum and one of the other older ones will introduce me as a "gay parent" and the questions will start again or they will shy away from me because they have no idea what to say. I try to make normal conversation and they chat for a while then they will say "sorry I have to ask this but I have always wondered...".

Don't get me wrong they are not being nasty or homophobic or anything like that I think it is just curiosity mixed with a little of trying to find something to talk about. The thing is I don't like being a sideshow and I don't want my daughter being around people who see her as some unusual oddity.

So I have been looking for LGBT parenting social groups where I can just talk about how great the nappies are with the wetness indicator, how annoying the "Bounty Pack" junkmail has been and get advice on what to watch on TV during 4am feeds so I don't nod off. Preferably whilst having a picnic, drinking a cup of tea or eating some cake!

Despite an extensive search online.... Nothing at all! Am I the only one who feels this way??

[Mazaet123]

Hi, just read your post. My partner and I live in Ashford, Kent and have 3 sons and another child on the way. We don't know any other gay parents in Kent either. I found the local mums and toddlers group quite an isolating experience and would love to meet up with others with our experiences and have our children see they are not the only ones with two mums.

[kate1301239]

Hiya! I’m Kate and I’m currently studying photography at the Arts University in Bournemouth. I’ve started a project on same-sex/ LGBT Parents and I think you would be perfect for it! I come from same sex parents myself and want to show the normality of our families, id love to come and photograph yours for the project, it could be a great way for you to get some family pictures too I hope to hear from you soon, Kate :)

[Angelisa17]

We are gay parents in Broadstairs and would love to meet up with other mums! I cannot believe there aren't any groups for us!?

[Koalaquakers]

Did anyone find a group?
My partner and I are feeling like lonely parents.

[Koalaquakers]

Ok, bit the bullet and set one up
www.facebook.com/groups/1851155778489394/

[franf123]

Hi all, we are gay parents living in Sheppey Kent, we have 3 daughters - of 9yrs and twins of 5, we would love to meet up with other families in Kent too....we use to attend a group in London, which was great but would really like our girls to meet up with other children locally to build some bonds and show them they are not the only kids with 2 mums!

[perry123]

I know it's not Kent but we go to a great South London Lesbian Mums group in East Dulwich
Anyone want to know more information please email us at [email protected] we meet once a month for activities for children from birth - 10 years old. We also have Mums nights out and other events throughout the year. I have never met such a wonderful group of people