Can you do self-insemination at home ?
One day, my wife came to visit me at work and asked, “Why don’t you have a picture of us on your desk?” I glanced around; my desk was adorned with photos of our three kids, but none of her. She continued, “I have a photo of you on mine.” I realized she was right. It wasn’t that I didn’t cherish her or want to talk about our relationship; I hesitated because I didn’t want to deal with questions about my marriage in a professional setting.
That conversation opened my eyes to how significant it is for me to display our picture and embrace all the conversations that might arise from it. In many aspects of life, especially in social situations and official documents about our children, we find ourselves repeatedly coming out as a same-sex couple. We must openly identify each other as “wife” to reflect our true relationship.
When same-sex marriage became legal in the U.S. in 2015, my wife and I had already been living together as a married couple in a civil union. According to Gary Gates, a demographer focusing on LGBTQ matters, the surge in same-sex marriages post-legalization disproves the notion that same-sex couples weren’t interested in marriage. When my wife and I exchanged vows in front of family and friends, we asserted our desire to be married like any heterosexual couple, including the privilege of calling each other “wife.”
As members of the LGBTQ community, we are all too familiar with the process of coming out. We have our own stories from our teenage years or college days, and sometimes we share them to support others who are navigating their paths. When I married in 2011, I was overjoyed that our marriage was recognized legally and socially. Our relationship is just like any other: we argue, we love, and we worry about our kids. However, I often found myself referring to her as my “partner.” While that title is true, it feels incomplete.
Calling her my wife is essential. The term “partner” can seem vague; I want to emphasize the depth of our bond. It was a term I used out of caution in public scenarios where I was unsure of the audience’s acceptance. I understand the need for some queer individuals to carefully select their words for safety, but I’ve come to realize that I must embrace the term “wife.”
With over a million same-sex households in the U.S. and a significant percentage of those identifying as married, every time I publicly refer to my wife as my wife, it eliminates any ambiguity about our relationship. In a country where millions identify as LGBTQ, we are continually in a state of coming out, striving to educate others about our love and commitment.
Using the term “wife” in public is a powerful statement. It sends a clear message about our love, just as calling her “Babe” does. While that term may roll off the tongue easily for many, it carries a weight for me. I understand the importance of creating spaces where our love is recognized and validated.
If you’re interested in exploring more about LGBTQ family dynamics, check out this article on home insemination. For further insights on the topic, intracervical insemination is an authority on this subject. Additionally, Genetics and IVF Institute is an excellent resource for those looking into pregnancy and home insemination.