Leaving London, pregnant and gay for the middle class suburban city of St Albans was a scary prospect. I thought I would be the only one. It was a far cry from South London.
I needn’t have worried though as I shortly found out I was not alone. Firstly, in my local NCT antenatal class you could have knocked me down with a feather when I realised there was another gay couple on our course (I had decided they must be sisters or friends). Secondly, I found a person called “marmite” posting on netmums looking for other lesbian families. Hurrah, I realised I was NOT alone and set about forming a support group using the online communities.
This group has grown from a first meeting in early 2009 in a local coffee shop to a fully fledged monthly meet up in my local Children’s Centre in St Albans and an associated yahoo group where we can “meet” online. I have made great friends, written articles and even been asked to help with a programme on same sex parenting for local radio (see same sex parenting show at www.itunes.apple.com
I want as many people as possible to be aware of this group for them if they are local(ish) to the area or to inspire them to start their own local group. I am grateful to Pride Angel in helping with this.
The St Albans (& surrounding area) gay parents' group is open to lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender parents/ aspiring parents from all walks of life, no matter what their parenting route. We meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Alban Way Children's Centre @ Marshalswick (on Sherwood Avenue, AL4) 3-6pm. The sessions are drop-in and a 50p donation is requested for refreshments. There is also a yahoo group www.groups.yahoo.com/stalbansgayparents
Article: by Clare Hancock, St Albans gay parents' group 26th March 2012
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