News and Events => Opinions & Editorials => Topic started by: Shana A on February 13, 2013, 08:42:36 AM Return to Full Version
Title: “Transgender people can be parents too” – Harriet & Lizzy’s story
Post by: Shana A on February 13, 2013, 08:42:36 AM
Post by: Shana A on February 13, 2013, 08:42:36 AM
"Transgender people can be parents too" – Harriet & Lizzy's story
Posted on February 12, 2013 by andy
http://www.lgbtadoptfosterweek.org.uk/adoption/transgender-people-can-be-parents-too-harriet-lizzys-story/ (http://www.lgbtadoptfosterweek.org.uk/adoption/transgender-people-can-be-parents-too-harriet-lizzys-story/)
Harriet is 24 and lives in the South West, with Lizzy, 40, and their two adopted children. Here she tells their adoption story.
Reproduced with kind permission from We are Family Magazine. Some names have been changed to protect identities.
"They've said yes", our social worker said on the phone.
"You're going to be parents!" Those two short sentences marked the transition between the eternity of waiting and the euphoric reality of becoming a parent. For myself and my partner, Lizzy, the news did far more. It proved what we already knew — that transgender people can be parents too.
[...]
After hearing presentations explaining what adoption was like, we plucked up the courage to broach our past with a social worker. "We're both post-operative, male-to-female trans women," my partner said. "We know you expect prospective adopters to be completely open." The reaction was swift and distressing. "Do you know anyone else in your situation who has adopted?" she demanded. "You'll need support from people... like you..."
"You mean lesbians?" I offered.
"No, people who have had a sex change," she said bluntly. We asked for more information, but were met with a lack of interest. It was clear we were not the type of adopters they were looking for.
Posted on February 12, 2013 by andy
http://www.lgbtadoptfosterweek.org.uk/adoption/transgender-people-can-be-parents-too-harriet-lizzys-story/ (http://www.lgbtadoptfosterweek.org.uk/adoption/transgender-people-can-be-parents-too-harriet-lizzys-story/)
Harriet is 24 and lives in the South West, with Lizzy, 40, and their two adopted children. Here she tells their adoption story.
Reproduced with kind permission from We are Family Magazine. Some names have been changed to protect identities.
"They've said yes", our social worker said on the phone.
"You're going to be parents!" Those two short sentences marked the transition between the eternity of waiting and the euphoric reality of becoming a parent. For myself and my partner, Lizzy, the news did far more. It proved what we already knew — that transgender people can be parents too.
[...]
After hearing presentations explaining what adoption was like, we plucked up the courage to broach our past with a social worker. "We're both post-operative, male-to-female trans women," my partner said. "We know you expect prospective adopters to be completely open." The reaction was swift and distressing. "Do you know anyone else in your situation who has adopted?" she demanded. "You'll need support from people... like you..."
"You mean lesbians?" I offered.
"No, people who have had a sex change," she said bluntly. We asked for more information, but were met with a lack of interest. It was clear we were not the type of adopters they were looking for.