Papa and Daddy
By Robert Brown
I adopted my son from Romania when he was 2. He is now 4.
My partner adopted his son from Russia when he was 2. He is now 7.
We have been together for 27 years but were unable to adopt our children together. They both share the same last name but are not related, except in their hearts. To them, we are Papa and Daddy. Michael has a little brother and Nicholas looks up to his big brother.
We must make them a legal family before they realize the truth. I cannot imagine telling either one that one of us is not their dad. We must protect them now and in the future and give them the benefits that their friends with a mom and dad have.
We have started legal proceedings in Pennsylvania, as our state just passed legislation giving us the opportunity to apply before a judge who will decide our fate. We must protect our family legally for our sake and for our children's sake.
Sept. 16, 2002