Second Parent

<p><strong>Despite a growing number of people who identify as LGBTQ there are surprisingly few accounts of queer parenthood. Written by a lesbian non-biological mother this story fills the gap with perspective and grace.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>After her wife gave birth Lora struggled to find her identity as a new parent and lesbian non-biological mother. When she learned that the legal system did not fully recognize her parental status as a non-biological parent she chose to do a second parent adoption. Initially this further spurred feelings of inadequacy. She was not the bio-mom. She was the second</em> parent the other</em> mother. As Lora's son grew she grappled to fit into social and legal landscapes and even her own family.</p><p><br></p><p>In this memoir Lora shares an honest account of her journey into parenthood. She reflects on growing up with a mother living with mental illness and how that experience raised questions about her new role. With clarity and humor Lora describes her new identity as a lesbian non-biological mother which grows to encompass the words parent mother and family. </p><p><br></p><p><em>Second Parent</em> is a current account of life as a queer parent post 2016 United State's elections. This story acknowledges the frequently confusing patchwork of state legal systems affecting LGBTQ families. Lora describes her own narrative against this backdrop as a lesbian non-biological mother living in the Northwest. </p>