As more and more same-sex couples become parents, more and more straight folks are having their first encounters with LGBTQ families…and it’s not always sunshine and rainbows.
Robin Morgan-Bentley, a senior manager at Audible, and his husband became parents this past year. He shared via his Twitter account some of the somewhat awkward comments they’ve received as gay dads.
“Top 10 things actual people have said to me and my husband this year, as new gay dads,” writes the proud dad.
Top 10 things actual people have said to me and my husband this year, as new gay dads: a thread 🤣😬🤬
— Robin Morgan-Bentley (@rmorganbentley) January 11, 2021
Some of the remarks are harmless but reveal a certain level of cluelessness: “Oh it’s lads’ day out today! So cute. Is mummy having the day off?”
1. Oh it’s lads’ day out today! So cute. Is mummy having the day off?
— Robin Morgan-Bentley (@rmorganbentley) January 11, 2021
There’s the eternal “Which of you is the real dad?”
Umm, they are both ‘real dads…’
2. Which of you is the real dad?
— Robin Morgan-Bentley (@rmorganbentley) January 11, 2021
Many folks seem to wonder about the absence of the child’s mother: “Is the mum still involved? It must be so hard for her:”
3. Is the mum still involved? It must be so hard for her
— Robin Morgan-Bentley (@rmorganbentley) January 11, 2021
4. Do you reckon he’ll also be gay when he grows up?
— Robin Morgan-Bentley (@rmorganbentley) January 11, 2021
5. Aren’t you worried that he’s missing out by not being breast-fed?
— Robin Morgan-Bentley (@rmorganbentley) January 11, 2021
6. What if his first word is ‘mummy’?
— Robin Morgan-Bentley (@rmorganbentley) January 11, 2021
Some people seem to think being born in the year 2020 along with the pandemic might have a lasting effect on the boy:
7. It’s a shame he was born in 2020, isn’t it?
— Robin Morgan-Bentley (@rmorganbentley) January 11, 2021
8. Oh he’s going to miss out on so much! Think of all the facial expressions he’s missing under these masks
— Robin Morgan-Bentley (@rmorganbentley) January 11, 2021
There were those who apparently offered to help with the little guy although it’s not clear if the offer was a comment on the dads’ parenting skills:
9. Do you want me to help settle him?
— Robin Morgan-Bentley (@rmorganbentley) January 11, 2021
But the oddest remark the dads encountered was a woman whose offer to help raised some eyebrows:
10. I can be his mummy if you want.
— Robin Morgan-Bentley (@rmorganbentley) January 11, 2021
Clearly the men took it all in stride, and like good dads let their adorable little guy have the last word.
Our son’s thoughts on all the above can be summarised with this expression pic.twitter.com/MYJ2gLq8Bi
— Robin Morgan-Bentley (@rmorganbentley) January 11, 2021
Folks in the Twitterverse acknowledged the awkwardness of the remarks but for the most part focused on the happiness of the family.
Those people are so rude and so daft! Congratulations on your baby, he’s an absolute dote and you’re the best parents ever I’m sure 💕
— Meaghan but Grinchier (@WLWomenFruits) January 11, 2021
gawd, what is wrong with people.
— katie (@katiemoffat) January 11, 2021
I’m surprised one of you wasn’t asked which one had given birth! 😉🏳️🌈🤣
— Norman Goldner (@nlygo) January 11, 2021
