• Name: Erez Luis Mirer
• Age: 15
• Home: New York City
• Briefly tell us the story of your family.
My family started with my father, Andy. He adopted me when I was two weeks old. He flew me to New York, and started to raise me. I was named Erez, which means cedar tree in Hebrew. My dad Jesse comes into this part of my life through Andy’s friends Ken and Stuart. They introduced Andy and Jesse when I was 13 months old, and he soon became part of the family. Later, my dads both wanted another child, so they adopted my brother, Lucas.
• What is it like to be the son of a same-sex couple?
It is great being the son of a same-sex couple, though people sometimes say stupid things. Whenever a person makes a “Your momma” joke, for instance, I tell them I don’t have a mother, but two dads. They sometimes feel embarrassed or awkward. Other times, people call me “gay” or “homo” not knowing about my parents. Sometimes I get offended, but usually I just live with it. They don’t mean any harm.
• What do you think about the issue of gay marriage? What difference would it make to you and your family if your parents were legally married?
Gay marriage should not even be a controversy. I believe that people should be able to be married regardless of whether they like their own sex. People are people, and gay people should have the same rights as straight married couples. Recently, I read that Iowa overturned the law prohibiting gay marriage. I was very pleased that people are progressing with this movement. I would love if my parents would get married, but I do not believe that it would make a difference. It would just be showing that they are finally getting “permission” to marry. As far as I’m concerned they are married anyway, with or without “permission.”
Name: Allie Howish-Hammer
• Age: 15
• Home: Indianapolis, Indiana
• Briefly tell us the story of your family:
My family consists of four people: me, my sister and my two gay dads. My sister and I were adopted at birth. Lucky for use our dads wanted to keep me. At the time we use to live in New York City. We now live in a Indiana in a house. My sister goes to school and works part time.I go to middle school this year and next year I will be attending high school.
• What is it like to be the daughter of a same-sex couple?
Being the daughter of a same-sex couple is kind of hard, especially when it’s two guys. During this age of 15, and even before, you start to realize how much you miss out on when having a normal family with a mom and a dad. Some times when you sleep over a friends house or spend a lot of time with them you start to feel the difference and you start to crave having a mom. I guess some same sex families are different.
• What do you think about the issue of gay marriage? What difference it would make to you and your family if your parents were legally married?
I believe that all gay people should have the right to marry any sex of their choice. It’s their decision, not the world’s. If my parents were married I don’t think it would make a huge difference because they would still be together no matter what.
