Gay couple shares their adoption experience – Spectrum News NY1
Videos of their grandkids put the biggest smile on the faces of Michael Elsasser and Doug Robinson.
More than thirty years ago they met on the A train and went on to became one of the first gay couples to marry in New York after the state approved equal marriage rights. Together they built a family.
“Being gay, I thought way back when that then I didn’t think it was possible” said Michael Elsasser.
When the couple looked into starting their family in the late 80’s, they questioned whether or not it would even be a possibility.
“Back then if you said you were gay or lesbian or bisexual, transgender in that whole list of people, they would immediately say no they would shut the door” said Doug Robinson.
It was important for Doug and Michael to adopt and give children out of the foster care system a loving home. Doug adopted two young boys as a single parent. Today their two sons, Justin and Zachary are in their thirties.
“I have to hold my heart because I get very emotional every time I see them. It’s so emotional to see our son with his sons now and experiencing parenting, experiencing the ups and downs of parenting because it’s tough raising kids,” said Robinson.
They say parenting has been a learning experience.
“As a parent you do everything you need to do to support your child and you’d be surprised at what children can bring out in you. I had no idea I was going to coach a soccer team because I don’t play soccer” said Elsasser.
Doug and Michael hope their experience helps others make the decision to adopt.
“There wasn’t much language to talk about this experience. Now with the numbers of LGBTQ adopting or having children biologically, they have a book of knowledge from people like us who’ve experienced it who’ve talked about it who are willing to talk about it publically,” said Robinson.
“If we didn’t do this more than a quarter of a century ago we wouldn’t be grandparents today enjoying this part of our life. We all deserve that joy in our lives” said Elsasser.