Teachers may not have had experience with same-sex parents and may believe stereotypes and myths about gay people. Although research has consistently shown that gays are less likely to be child molesters than heterosexual men, a well-positioned person who is misinformed or intentionally homophobic can cause tremendous damage. Even if we do not believe the old myths and stereotypes about gay people, many of us have questions about these new family forms. Sometimes very well-meaning people are nervous and uncomfortable around out gay parents. Our day care teacher wasn't sure how to address our son's Valentine's Day card.
All families are different from one another.
Simple things such as what we call one another, to the more complex issues of how we divide chores, will vary from family to family. Living open lives means that we choose not to hide the uniqueness of our families. Sometimes people will look at me, and then my partner, and then back at me, trying to understand what I am saying. It is my experience that people quickly assimilate the information and deal with us respectfully and kindly. I think this in part because we are comfortable with ourselves and our family.