Mother’s Day often focuses on cisgender, heterosexual mothers, leaving many LGBTQ+ families invisible in mainstream conversations. LGBTQ+ parents have the same dedication, creativity, and nurturing spirit as any parent. It’s time their experiences are celebrated and recognised. While society has become more understanding, misconceptions unfortunately still exist, and we must continue to challenge stigma. One way we can do this is by celebrating LGBTQ+ families on Mother’s Day.
The Diversity of Motherhood
Motherhood doesn’t always take a traditional form. For LGBTQ+ families, this may include adoptive mothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, and non-binary or trans parents. Everyone’s story is individual, and each parent contributes to their children’s lives in amazing ways
Methods to Parenthood
How someone becomes a parent isn’t the same for everyone. Celebrating Mother’s Day includes recognising the different ways people can start a family, such as:
Biological Parenthood
- Artificial Insemination (IUI): IUI is a less invasive method of achieving a pregnancy. It’s where sperm is injected directly into the uterus. The sperm used depends on personal circumstances, but could be from a donor, a partner, or a co-parent.
- In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF): Eggs are collected from the ovaries and taken to a lab where they’re fertilised with sperm. The eggs develop into embryos and are transferred back into the womb to develop into a baby. Reciprocal IVF is a variation of IVF where one partner provides eggs, and the other partner carries the pregnancy. This is popular among same-sex female couples, non-binary couples, and trans men.
- Surrogacy: This is where a surrogate carries a pregnancy for someone else, who becomes the legal parent of the baby when they’re born.
Adoption
Adoption is a legal process where parental rights are transferred from a child’s birth parents to adoptive parents who take on all the legal rights and responsibilities of parenthood
Fostering
Fostering is when an individual or family provides a safe and caring environment for a child who can’t live with their biological parents. The child will usually either eventually return to their birth family or find another permanent solution, such as adoption.
Elective Co-Parenting Arrangements
Some LGBTQ+ individuals form intentional parenting partnerships with friends or other co-parents, sharing responsibilities outside of a romantic relationship. This type of parenting partnership is referred to as elective co-parenting or platonic co-parenting. There are various reasons someone might choose to have an elective co-parenting relationship, such as wanting a child but not wanting to be in a romantic relationship.
The Importance of Visibility
When LGBTQ+ parents are celebrated, stereotypes are challenged. Studies consistently show that children raised in LGBTQ+ households thrive just as well as those in heterosexual households. However, society often overlooks these families in the media, advertising, and community celebrations. By intentionally including LGBTQ+ parents in Mother’s Day narratives, such as on cards, we can reinforce acceptance, inclusion and visibility. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but through visibility, we can normalise LGBTQ+ families.
Ways to Celebrate LGBTQ+ Parents
- Share Stories: Post your own personal stories online, whether that’s on social media, blogs, or local media. You can also engage with other people’s stories by sharing them, commenting and liking.
- Inclusive Cards and Gifts: Support brands and creators who celebrate diverse families. You could even make some inclusive cards or gifts yourself.
- Community Events: Attend or organise community events that uplift LGBTQ+ families, such as family picnics or virtual meetups.
- Stand up for change: Encourage schools, workplaces, and organisations to include LGBTQ+ parents in celebrations and campaigns.
Showing Support All Year Round
While Mother’s Day is an important opportunity to celebrate LGBTQ+ families, true visibility and support should be carried out all year-round. This involves normalising diverse families, whether in marketing, work communications, or school materials. This can also include encouraging people and companies to use inclusive language, such as respecting pronouns, not making assumptions, and recognising that not all families fit a traditional mould.
Leicestershire LGBTQ+ Centre
Whether you’re searching for resources, support services, or somewhere to connect with others, you’ll find it all here. Our centre is an inclusive and vibrant space committed to celebrating diversity, fostering community, and offering support to LGBTQ+ individuals in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. We host a variety of events, workshops, and social gatherings to empower our community and promote understanding and acceptance. You can learn more by looking at our website.
Written by Rosie Buckley @rosiewithapen