Me, Molly, and her moms - Generation Q

Growing up in the suburbs with an activist-feminist mother and two older gay brothers, I had all my major life-lessons taught to me when I was about 3: what sex was, what homosexuality was, why people shouldn't eat yellow snow. Going to Hunter College High School in New York City, where I'm a junior, made coming out something of a nonissue. I even helped revive the failing Gay-Straight. Alliance there. Still, I distinctly remember all of the times I've come out to people.

The first person I came out to in person was my friend Molly Wenig Rubenstein. Naturally we had become friends: We were both short for our age, both had a knack for musical theater, and both developed crushes on the same boys. When I first found out that Molly had lesbian parents, I was a bit startled, yet immediately intrigued. It was ironic and yet so perfect that I, the closeted gay boy, had befriended the girl with two mommies.

Now, having gotten to know Molly's moms--Maggie Wenig and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum--I have been able to see that Molly's family is no different than any other. When I asked Molly about having lesbian parents, she said it was like asking me what I felt about having one mom and one dad. It's the way things are.

Perhaps I have an overly optimistic view, or maybe the whole world is shifting, little by little. Either way, I think that my generation shows hope.

The Advocate invites GLBT Youth to write about their lives in this space. To contribute, E-mail editor@advocate.com. Andersson's article, go to www.advocate.com/youth.asp.

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