Jennifer and Rachel
Jennifer Jackson and Rachel Leyco with sons Elijah and Lucas. Photographed at Pocahontas State Park by Michael Simon Photography.
Elijah was born before our marriage was legally recognized in Virginia. We temporarily relocated to Washington, DC, to assure he would be born where both of our names could be on the birth certificate. My wife then had to adopt the son that was genetically hers (I had carried) to assure her parental rights would be recognized in Virginia. This challenge was not unique to us but was the path chosen by many having children before marriage equality. When Lucas was born here in Richmond, just months earlier our marriage had been legally recognized, allowing us both to be listed as parents on his birth certificate. -Jennifer Jackson