Despite the fact that 32 states and the District of Columbia now recognize same-sex marriage that doesn’t mean that gays and lesbians are universally accepted. Far from it in fact. The latest example popped up on social media when Family Circle, one of the original seven sisters women’s magazines, made history by showcasing a married gay couple along with their two daughters in its new advice column called “Modern Life.”
In this particular column, Chris and Bob Osner-Hackett were asked a number of questions, including: “What surprises you most about parenthood?” Their answer:
“How two children brought up in the same home could be so totally different. We have a serious and logical 8-year-old with a dry sense of humor, and a three-and-half-year-old who is animated, boisterous and keeps us laughing.”
A follow-up question: “What are the biggest challenges that your family faces?”
“Finding time to have a sit-down dinner together.”
The Osner-Hacketts also explained how they’ve always felt accepted by their communities. Several vocal readers of the magazine seemed to prove otherwise when their negative posts began populating the magazine’s Facebook page.
Linda Fears, vice president and editor-in-chief of the magazine, told me: “I didn’t publish the piece because I have an agenda or as an attempt to shock. The definition of family has changed and it’s my job to reflect all families.”
Still, the backlash seemed to be encountering its own push back as more and more readers came to the magazine’s defense, supporting its decision to be inclusive of all families, including LGBT ones. On Yahoo! a poster wrote: “Well if Family Circle says it’s okay then case closed.”
Every other Tuesday, Steven writes the “Civilities” column about LGBT/straight social dilemmas. E-mail questions to Civilities at stevenpetrow@earthlink.net (unfortunately not all questions can be answered). You can reach him on Facebook at facebook.com/stevenpetrow and on Twitter @stevenpetrow.
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