In the latest installment of Logo's Real Momentum documentary series, three pioneering couples open their doors and invite us to see what life is like for those of us Raising Teens.
Cooper
What will happen when Cooper speaks with his biological father for the first time? How will it affect the dynamics of his family?
Cooper has two mothers, Martina and Tanya, who have been together twenty-five years. Conceived via artificial insemination, Cooper always appreciated the love and support his parents gave him... but he also wondered about his biological father. Who is he? How are they alike? What would life have been like with a father around?
Now, because of a contract drawn up by the sperm bank 19 years ago, Cooper can make contact with his sperm donor father. Born in the earlier years of assisted fertility, Cooper is the first child from the renowned gay friendly sperm bank Pacific Reproductive Services to find out the identity of his father.
Aidan
Aidan is a political activist with two moms in Richmond, Virginia. Will her political beliefs stand in the way of her becoming Drum Major in this decidedly conservative community?
While Janet was pregnant with Aidan, she met Jane. Despite the strength of their relationship, Aidan's moms felt they had to hide it from their conservative neighbors in Richmond, Virginia. Today, Aidan is facing her own battle with homophobia as she tries to become Drum Major of her high school marching band.
Aidan has auditioned for Drum Major three years in a row but has never been picked. It is her family's worst fear that she may not get it yet again this year because community leaders are concerned about a teenager with gay parents representing their children in such a public position of leadership. Aidan's activism with her school's GSA also concerns the band director, who thinks it might get in the way of her ability to lead the band.
Will Aidan's talent and determination inspire the high school band director to take a chance and let this controversial kid lead her classmates? Or will Aidan's parents' sexuality keep her from realizing her dream?
Hope
Hope is about to leave home for college but her two Dads are having trouble letting her grow up. Can the family find a happy medium? Or will Hope try to leave the nest sooner rather than later?
In 1987 when Wayne and Sal decided to adopt, they applied to the New York City public system and inquired about 24 children. They were turned down 24 times. They were moments away from pursuing legal action when they received a call asking if they were interested in a four-month old bi-racial girl fittingly named Hope.
Growing up, Hope never felt like she missed having a mother. "My parents always made sure to have female friends around and I have aunts and cousins who are older than me. But I can't really think of a time when I needed to talk to a woman and sought one out." On the Board of Directors for COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) and a frequent speaker at Family Week, Hope is proud of her parents and has become very active in gay rights issues.
Since Hope's "arrival day" in 1987, Sal and Wayne's entire world has revolved around parenthood. They became members of the Family Pride Coalitionand helped start local organizations that support LGBT couples raising children.
Wayne and Sal are now on the precipice of massive change: in just a few weeks Hope will be going off to college. Though they knew this moment was inevitable, Wayne and Sal are crestfallen. Hope, on the other hand, can't wait to spread her wings. It's a story of holding on and letting go to which all parents can relate.
Raising Teens is a Logo Real Momemtum Original Production.
Executive Produced by: Samantha Kurtzman-Counter, Leisha Hailey and Lara Spotts.
