The Longest Shortest Time

EPISODE #60: The Accidental Gay Parents

The second Trystan spotted John, a pink-haired guy in a black bandana, he was smitten. For a year, Trystan and John spent their weekends clubbing, partying in Vegas, and making out on the beach.

Then, one Friday, John got a call.

It was a social worker. She said that she’d be putting John’s sister’s two young children into foster care at the end of the weekend. Unless, of course, John took them.

So John and Trystan got in the car and drove to the sister’s house. And John gave Trystan that two-hour drive to decide whether or not he was ready to commit to becoming a dad.

This is this story of a couple of twenty-somethings going to court against family to become the legal guardians of two children in desperate need of a safe home. (Hint: extra hard when you are gay.) This is also a super romantic love story. Side note: Trystan is trans, which adds a whole other interesting element to the episode. Tune in to hear all of the surprising details. For now, some pictures of Trystan and John’s life with the kids:

P.S. We’re going to be following up with John in a couple of episodes!

UPDATE: John’s story is now up! Listen here.

Resources for Raising Kids in a Nontraditional Family
Trystan says he’s found the Facebook group Aunts and Uncles Raising Nieces and Nephews to be an invaluable resource.

He also has enjoyed reading the blog Papa Bear, about a trans dad giving birth—something he is considering in the future.

We asked our own LGBTQ listeners what trans-parenting resources they like, and they answer was, “Well, there’s not a lot.” We did, however, get a lot of recommendations for S. Bear Bergman’s books, especially Blood, Marriage, Wine, & Glitter. People also like the books Trans Bodies, Trans Selves by Laura Erickson-Schroth and The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson. And the website It’s Conceivable Now.

Do YOU have a nontraditional family?
Tell your story in the comments! Share your favorite resources! It’ll help other people feel less alone.

Top photo: Lisa Yagoda

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