OutRVA

View Original

The Smith-Carter-Janke-Todd Family

Photographed at Maymont by Michael Simon Photography

My family is unique because it is large in unconventional ways. My husband and I have been married almost 13 years and have 3 children together. I recently came out as a transgender man. My husband and I have been married almost 13 years and have 3 children together. I recently came out as a transgender man. My husband's girlfriend of four years lives with us. My boyfriend, who is also transgender, has a wife and a daughter that we consider an extension of our family. But in so many ways, we are the same as every other family. We argue over whose turn it is to clean the kitchen. We coordinate schedules for taking kids to and from classes, arranging sitters when we all want to go out. We argue over whether to get a new dog or not. We cuddle on the couch and watch TV. -Tyler Smith

What is a family?  The Valentine's current exhibit "One Love: LGBT Families" asks this question.  In partnership with OutRVA and Michael Simon Photography, the exhibit runs through September 4, 2017.