Resources for Gay Dads

As society continues to change, so too will the idea of fatherhood. The image of a gay father was once seldom thought of, but today there are thousands of gay fathers and possibly even more living around the world. These men face the same issues as straight fathers, but other issues as well, including pressure from society and raising a child on their own if they don’t have a partner. The following resources offer more information and help for these fathers.

Books

• On Men and Their Demons: book review of Melville’s Gay Father.
• Men Stuff: listing of books for fathers, including some dealing with gay fatherhood.
• Gay Fathers: book review focusing on the issues addressed in the book such as coming out and handling safe sex.
• Book Dads: reviews of books for dads, including adoptive parents and children of different ages.
• The Velveteen Father: book review of the Jesse Green book, detailing his adventure in adopting a child as a gay man.

Online Information

• Gay Fathers On-Line: web ring offering information and resources on being a gay parent.
• Thoughts on a Father’s Coming Out to His Children: a personal story expressing the idea of being a gay man with children.
• I’m a Gay Dad: interview with singer Clay Aiken on becoming a gay father for the first time.
• Reconcilable Differences: details the story of a father and husband forced to come out to his wife and children.
• Gay Parent Magazine: magazine devoted to living as a gay father, handling pressure from society and other issues these men face.

Online Groups

• Gay Dad Support Mailing List: mailing list and discussion group open to gay fathers and their partners or families.
• Proud Parenting: support group with its own forum, devoted to sharing experiences of being a father.
• Gay Fatherhood: Facebook group for gay fathers and those interested in learning more about becoming a parent.
• Gay Fatherhood: global community with forums and blogs for gay fathers, with the option of creating their own personal blog.
• Gay Fatherhood Goes Increasingly Mainstream: details how the issue of being a gay father has changed in the last decade.

Support Groups

• Gay Fathers and Husbands of NE Ohio: support group for gay men and couples in northeastern Ohio.
• Gay Fathers of Greater Boston: organization for gay fathers in Boston, with support group meetings held twice a month and different social activities held every month.
• Gay Fathers Association of Seattle: gay father support group located in Seattle where men discuss pertinent issues and share stories about child raising.
• Gay Fathers Coalition of Baltimore: organization based in Baltimore where men and their families have the chance to discuss their feelings and thoughts.
• Gay Fathers of Long Island: Long Island group focusing on the difficulties and joys of being a gay father.

Gay fathers will find many of these resources helpful because it shows them that they’re not alone in the world. There are many other men just like them out there who want to share their thoughts, hopes and experiences with other people.