A homosexual Scots couple say their youngsters have by no means questioned having two dads after they adopted two boys six years in the past.
Stevan Blackwood and his accomplice Denis made the choice to look into adoption regardless of admitting that even at the moment there "was nonetheless a number of negativity in direction of identical intercourse couples."
However the Edinburgh couple have by no means regarded again - and now they're sharing their expertise in a bid to encourage LGBTQ+ adoption.
Stevan, 37, and Denis, 42, had initially hoped to undertake a child earlier than they had been matched with two younger brothers, stories Edinburgh Stay.
With issues going "actually shortly" from there, they'd despatched movies to the boys foster carer sharing issues about their lives, dwelling and themselves.
Stevan stated: "As a result of they'd already been watching these movies, they already knew us as Dad and Daddy from the clips.
"So the primary time we met them, we went all the way down to England and once we acquired out the automobile they shouted 'there's Dad and Daddy' and I acquired so emotional."
An ideal match, the boys had been quickly relocated to Edinburgh to dwell with Denis and Stevan - and the couple say the youngsters have by no means been phased by the very fact they're a identical intercourse couple.
Initially involved their sexuality can be a priority when it got here to adoption, Stevan says the truth was removed from it.
He stated: "We had been all the time that bit doubtful about whether or not or not adoption companies would look upon us as totally different, however once we went into Scottish Adoption they had been so welcoming.
"As we went by the method there have been feedback talked about, not by the company however by individuals we all know, individuals requested if we had been apprehensive if our children would get bullied and we stated no, we're giving them a loving dwelling.
"I believe even though we have moved on there's nonetheless that form of notion that two dads is incorrect for some individuals, however I believe we all the time reply that and even faculties are doing a lot extra to coach about that now.
"The entire facet of the boys having two dads, it is by no means phased them they usually've by no means questioned why. They have been requested at school 'what's it like having two dads', they usually assume effectively to us it is regular.
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"They don't have any points with it, there was one time our older boy was getting bullied at one level and the bully was calling him homosexual, and was additionally saying 'your dads are homosexual' as effectively.
"He got here dwelling heartbroken and devastated, however then he stated 'I did not care that he known as me homosexual, it was that he was being imply to you two'.
"We stated that is just a few individuals's angle to being homosexual, they do not perceive they usually assume it is one thing incorrect, however you do not ever have to fret about us, we're right here to take care of you."
Stevan and Denis at the moment are advocates for company Scottish Adoption who had been in a position to join them with their now 9 and seven-year-old sons.
The pair have been concerned in a number of LGBTQ+ talks for the organisation, to assist ease any considerations for identical intercourse couples hoping to begin a household.
With the subsequent talks to be held subsequent week, Stevan added: "After we went by the method, even at the moment there was nonetheless a number of negativity in direction of identical intercourse couples but it surely wasn't like dangerous it was simply extra cautious.
"I believe a number of identical intercourse couples nonetheless assume they are going to be alienated in opposition to, however I need to get it on the market that that is occurring increasingly and cease it being so hidden.
"I began working with Scottish Adoption and going to occasions, and I believe it helps me talking to different identical intercourse couples who could be a bit apprehensive and reassure them they're supported and shall be handled as pretty as everybody else."
You will discover extra info on Scottish Adoption's LGBTQ+ occasions right here.