The U.S. Census Bureau found that same-sex couples raising children are likely to live in the South and be African American. One couple shares their beautiful story in EBONY‘s October issue.

Iesha McConnell and Terry Treadwell have been together for 10 years and are raising three children at home in North Carolina.

The women met when Iesha’s sons were playing on one of Terry’s athletic teams. “About a year later, after we got to know each other, it eventually led to something,” Iesha says. They held a commitment ceremony in September 2005, and have watched their family grow.

“We’re in love,” Terry told the magazine. “We work hard and worry about our children. We have the same struggles as everybody else.”

Research shows that Black gay and lesbian parents raise children at two to three times the rate of their white counterparts. Findings also indicate that most Black same-sex couples are economically disadvantaged (Black women raising children in same-sex partnerships make an average of $26,000 a year).

While six states and the District of Columbia have marriage equality, none in the South have marriage for all loving and committed couples. The lack of protections puts families like Iesha and Terry’s at risk (the parents cannot jointly adopt their children).

“We are a family, and we love each other deeply,” Terry adds. “We are making it work.”

Read more in EBONY’s October issue!

Category: News