This past Sunday, a number of media outlets featured LGBT-inclusive coverage of Father’s Day. Below are a few highlights from the media:
CBS News chose to highlight David Salie, Mark Bromley and their daughter Tallulah Gail in celebration of Father’s Day. In a brief video, David and Mark describe the Top Ten Things they’ve learned from their daughter in her first year. The video is lighthearted and touching, showing that they are loving parents with a sense of humor. In the opening lines, David notes that he and Mark celebrate Fathers’ Day – spelled with an “s” apostrophe – rather than Father’s Day. CBS News took a refreshing approach to this story about family.
The Guardian published an article by trans woman Jane Fae, who shared her thoughts on Father’s Day, gender stereotypes, and how the word ‘dad’ fits into her life as a parent. Fae noted that many parents across the LGBT community face issues with traditional parenting roles and their intersections with the gender binary. She writes, “Although I have transitioned fast and enthusiastically, I have remained ambiguous about the term ‘dad.’ I may not be very attached to it, but it felt as though it might be a big loss for my two children…For now, I’m still ‘dad.’”
Pop Luck Club, a Los Angeles-based organization created to advance the well being of gay parents and their children, hosted an event in West Hollywood to encourage gay prospective parents to adopt or take in foster children. According the Los Angeles Daily News, the event attracted more than 120 parents from all over Southern California. Pop Luck Club’s co-president Richard Valenza commented on the event, saying the event is about "the gay and lesbian community…that it is possible for them to have families.” John Ireland spoke about how things have changed for him and his partner, Duncan, after they adopted their daughter six years ago. He said, “We’re more concerned with making lunches, and doing laundry, like any family out there. But that sacrifice isn’t a sacrifice – because it opened up a whole new set of rewards.”
At the Huffington Post, arts critic George Heymont compared three new films whose characters include either a father or son who is gay – Franswa Sharl (Australia), Kawa (New Zealand), and Beginners (United States). In his review, Heymont provides a brief summary of each film and discusses the unique perspectives they provide. Of the films as a whole, he writes, “The bottom line, however, is crystal clear. It’s all about unconditional love…Honoring your father isn’t always easy, but it’s an integral part of the father-son relationship.”
GLAAD applauds these media outlets for emphasizing that Father’s Day – or Fathers’ Day – is about the love and commitment fathers have for their children.June 22, 2011
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