Pride, Parenthood & Queues at a Theme Park
As Pride Month begins, our family has just returned from a holiday in the Netherlands and Belgium. We travelled through cities, explored historic sites, and—like all parents on holiday—stood in a lot of queues. But one moment stood out among all the waffles and wandering, and it perfectly sums up why Pride Month is so important.
We were waiting in line at the world’s oldest theme park, Efteling in the Netherlands, with our son. It had been a long day of rides, storytelling, and magic. Without prompting, he turned to us and said:
“I’m so happy that you’re gay.”
My husband and I looked at each other and asked, “Why do you say that?”
His answer:
“Because you’re the best grown-ups around. I’ve been watching all the other grown-ups in the queue and they all look a bit grumpy. But you and Daddy make it fun – you play games, make jokes, and laugh. I’m just really happy to have two dads.”
It was one of those quiet but powerful moments of affirmation — not for being “different,” but for being his.
And it reminded us why Pride Month is still necessary.
Our son is growing up in a world where his family is celebrated, not tolerated. He’s surrounded by LGBT+ parents and carers, thanks to the community built through Proud 2 b Parents. Week after week, month after month, he sees families like his. This exposure isn’t just comforting — it’s essential. It has built his sense of security, identity, and pride.
He doesn’t see having two dads as unusual. He sees it as joyful. He sees love. He sees fun. He sees resilience.
Of course, he’s also witnessed challenges. He’s heard unkind words aimed at us, his parents, and we’ve navigated those moments as a family. We’ve talked—honestly and age-appropriately—about the history and present-day realities of LGBT+ discrimination. But he also sees the celebrations, the rainbow flags, the community solidarity, the drag queens reading stories, the two dads carrying toddlers, the two mums wrangling toddlers. He sees us. He sees you.
This is the power of Pride.
Pride is not just a parade or a party. It’s a declaration. It’s a month-long mirror held up to the world saying: we’re here, we’ve always been here, and we’re raising the next generation with love, joy, and purpose.
As LGBT+ parents and carers, we go above and beyond for our children — not to prove ourselves, but because we know the weight of invisibility, and we want more for them. We’re building a world where our children don’t just feel safe — they feel proud.
This Pride Month, let’s continue to spotlight the reality of LGBT+ family life: the strength, the care, the resilience, the humour, the tears, the bedtime stories, the school runs, and yes — the queues at theme parks filled with joy and laughter.
We are proud parents.
We are proud of our son.
And we are proud to stand with our community — not just in June, but every single day.
Together, on the shoulders of those who paved the way, we keep moving forward.
Happy Pride, from our family to yours.
Matt Taylor-Roberts - Founder and CEO of Proud 2 b Parents
