Both families said growing up with gay parents actually had some benefits.

Shannon said she knows other children whose parents are gay, and they’re ashamed. She doesn’t understand why.

“As a female, I had two females to tell me what’s going to happen through life — with boys,” she said. “And growing up with gay parents made me more accepting of other people.”

Most people think gays are unfit parents, and that’s not true, Candace said.

“You don’t know,” she said. “You don’t experience it. How can you judge that I don’t love my daughter?”

Gays and lesbians are just as competent at parenting, Patricia said. She said a parent’s sexual preference isn’t the issue.

“The issue is how well a parent can parent,” she said.

Josh said having gay parents has made him more open and accepting of others. He still hears negative comments about homosexuals but has learned to block them out.

“People are like, ‘Ah, man, your mom’s a lesbian. That’s too bad. I feel sorry for you,’” he said. “And I’m just like: What are you talking about? Why feel bad for me when I have two people who care about me?”

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