I'm one of the folks who called you normal. And, while I apologize, I'd also like to explain more what I meant.

My father has been on this rant since I came out two years ago about how now he'll never have grandchildren. He has all these assumptions about my life style - because I'm gay I must be out clubbing each night, I must be having wild, rampant sex, I can't possibly be nurturing to a child, etc. Whenever I say something that he considered heteronormative, he'll say something like, "but I thought you were gay." I AM gay, dad. I'm also pretty darn normal. I told him that I was excited about spring break because I get to see the kids I used to nanny for, and then I'm going to see my friend elizabeth and her adorable son. He was truly confused as to why I, a lesbian, would want to spend time with children. Clearly this makes me straight, or something. HIding my real emotions?

So, yes, to me? Normalcy is a big thing.

-Ang

argh!! I didn't mean to offend or anything! no, you're definitely not geeky, and I really didn't mean to offend by "normal". I guess it's just because I'm from a pretty tiny (and might I add, Asian) country, so I don't ever get to see lesbian couples above the age of 30. I'm sure they're around, but the only lesbian couples I see are the younger ones. And the only older lesbian couples I see are the ridiculously glamourised ones on television (NEVER in real life!!) - the L word types, if you will. And when I first watched last week's vlog, I felt that it was just so fantastic to actually see a couple that had been together for so many years, and there wasn't any drama about stuff I see on TV, I guess.  

I guess it's just me - and I guess also that it's just sad that I don't get to see any stable couples who are really in proper relationships. Lesbians here often just pretend to be straight, or "turn" straight when they get older, or are so pressured by family to get married that they do, and have kids. I can honestly say that I have never, ever ever seen a lesbian couple that have a house, that have kids - even the idea of it is just completely impossible here, most of the lesbians I talk to are actually willing to get married to men to get their parents and entire families off their back. Hardly anyone is ever out to their parents. lesbian relationships are just something so secret and almost taboo - to get a place to live (in a government apartment, where about 85% of the population live in) you need to be married, to a man obviously. You have to be filthy rich to get a condominium apartment or a house. Marriage? hah. kids? no way. lesbian mothers?? not even an issue, it's so impossible and unthinkable. And to see a real lesbian couple live "normally" in a house, with a child, is just completely alien but yet so um, normal.

So anyway, what I meant by "normal" was just that - I don't know anything about the real proper lesbian community in America, and I'm probably just waffling and digging myself into a deeper hole. But I mean normal not in terms of the lesbian community in America, but normal as in completely and totally accepted in real life!

Sorry for this completely babbly and rambly post, but I just wanted to explain myself! And I'm sorry if I come across as an incredibly slow and backward country bumpkin - I mean, I've read about lesbian couples and of course I know about parenting and motherhood and gay marriage and all, but I guess to actually have a real example of it is just pretty amazing. It's like everything I've been reading is some sort of futuristic fairytale, and then I suddenly get to see one come to life! All right I'll stop now, sorry for the ridiculously long comment.

P.S. one last thing! I just wanted to clarify that this normalcy thing has nothing to do with parenting, it's just that - believe it or not (and I can't actually believe it either, now that I think about it) the two of you are the first real life stable, living-together lesbian couple I've actually ever seen, children or no children. And last week I wanted to type this, and I thought it'd be too silly but I'll say it now - I want to be like you guys! To actually live a life with a same-sex partner in the same, "normal" way that every single straight person here can. Okay, I'll really stop now.

Angela and Miss Chatelaine--

First, please realize that we were in no way offended by your comments, and there's no need to apologize. We were just overwhelmed by what seemed like the sudden awesome responsibility of representing some standard for lesbian parenting. We wanted to assure folks that there's room for all different types under this big tent.

But if we can demonstrate that part of that variety includes being a boring, long-term suburban couple with a son, two cats, and a lawnmower, then we're happy to do so. (We also have twice as many computers in our house as people, which I think qualifies us as geeks in any case--and that's not necessarily a bad thing.)

We really do appreciate your comments, and are honored and humbled that we've made such an impact.

--
Dana Rudolph
Mombian: Sustenance for Lesbian Moms
http://www.mombian.com

In some ways I would agree with you that "Uncle Bobby's Wedding" will invoke the wrath of the theocrats for the use of the "M" word.  But I am optimistic that time will change minds (albeit slowly) and that the next generation that will be taking the helm will be more open minded.  Also, could you guys give a link to the "Transparent" book.  The white balance on the vid camera was freakingout reacting to Dana's white sleeves, and the text on the book, when you held it up, was not clear.  Thanks in advance.

And last but not least, here in CA, there was a ruling on home schooling today. You can read about it here. 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/06/MNJDVF0F1.DTL

At first I was "yay", get those kids being  homeschooled/brainwashed by zealots back into the mainstream, but then after reading comments from parents of disabled kids and kids who were in struggling school districts, I was torn.  The ruling pretty much said if you are going to homeschool your kids, then you have to have educational credentials, or a tutor with credentials. I was just wondering what you guys might think about this.  By the way, I don't have kids, love your vlog, and look forward to the next one.

Spotticus: Here's the link to Transparent at Amazon. The author is Cris Beam; you should be able to find it at other booksellers, too, if you prefer.

--
Dana Rudolph
Mombian: Sustenance for Lesbian Moms
http://www.mombian.com