As a child, I was always aware of the political landscape, eagerly watching election night coverage for as long as my mom would permit. I was a passenger in a world that felt far too vast and complex for my young mind to grasp. But times have changed. My mother is no longer here to guide my choices. Now, as a husband and father, I find myself navigating responsibilities like bills and taxes, all while having a little one, Leo, whose future rests in my hands. Tomorrow, on election day, the stakes are the highest they’ve ever been, and my choice is clearer than ever.
However, individual priorities can vary widely. The concerns for my family may not align with those in our neighborhood or across the country. To gain perspective on this pivotal moment in history, I reached out to other LGBTQ+ dads to see if they shared my feelings about the current political climate.
Marcus and Ben
Marcus and Ben have been a couple for over a decade and are proud parents to two wonderful daughters. Living in Vermont, they understand the sacrifices that come with being a military family, which allows the rest of us to enjoy our freedoms. They plan to vote for Hillary, expressing that “Hillary represents a role model for our daughters. She’s a fighter who has faced adversity and continues to stand strong.” They believe that maintaining the progress made for LGBTQ+ rights during the Obama administration is crucial and see Hillary as the candidate to preserve that legacy.
Alex and Mia
In California, I spoke with a single gay dad, Alex, and his 14-year-old daughter, Mia. Alex knows firsthand the value of perseverance. After navigating several adoption agencies in Nashville, he finally built his family. He admires Hillary’s dedication to children and families, stating, “Her advocacy for child health through initiatives like the State Children’s Health Insurance Program shows her commitment.” He also wishes the other candidates understood that American families are much more diverse than they were in the past, believing this diversity is our country’s strength.
Eric and David
Next, I connected with Eric and his partner David, who have been together for nearly 20 years and are now proud fathers to two adult children. Having celebrated their marriage last year following the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, Eric has been a supporter of Hillary since her first lady days. He commented on the potential consequences of this election for families like his, saying, “I refuse to go backward. We’ve fought hard for our rights, and I don’t want to lose that progress.”
This sentiment was echoed in many of my conversations. Families like ours have experienced a significant gift over the past eight years, making it hard to explain to others the importance of not going back to a time of prejudice.
Tom and Jack
Leo’s other dads, Tom and Jack, who are registered voters in Maryland, also express similar views. They appreciate how the Democratic Party openly supports the LGBTQ+ community. As they reflect on their journey towards parenthood, they note that the candidates have starkly different visions for families like theirs. They believe it’s essential to choose a leader who prioritizes lifting others up rather than inciting division.
Andy and Sam
In North Carolina, I spoke with Andy and his partner Sam, who have known each other since 1984. They’ve been married for nearly three decades, and their children witnessed their vows. They voted early, and their transgender child cast her first vote to cheers from poll workers. Andy respects Hillary’s evolution on marriage equality, stating, “She listens to people and cares about the country’s future.”
David and Michael
David and his husband Michael, proud fathers of twins from surrogates in California and India, hope for stronger protections for marriage equality and adoption rights. They want to see fair treatment for LGBTQ+ families, emphasizing how much the landscape of parenting has changed for the better.
The journey for families like ours is filled with hard-fought victories and the understanding that we must protect our rights fiercely. We face challenges not just from the outside world but also from those who may not understand our experiences. It is our responsibility to foster understanding among others by highlighting our shared humanity.
Tomorrow, there is only one candidate who can effectively protect our children and advocate for families like ours, and that’s Hillary Clinton. We stand with her.
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In summary, this election holds significant implications for LGBTQ+ families, and the choice we make will resonate for generations to come. We must advocate for our rights and support candidates who will fight for our future.